Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is a cheesy, delicious, and mouth-watering dinner. Perfectly balanced flavors of chili and cheese, with just the right amount of hot dogs, will have you coming back for seconds.
Get ready to experience dinner like never before!
What is this?
Easy casserole dishes are some of our favorite family meals. I grew up eating the classics, like our old-fashioned goulash and this easy Tuna Noodle Casserole from my friend Debi at Life Currents. Indeed, there is nothing better!
Some of my favorite casserole recipes are made from chicken, macaroni and cheese, and family favorites like this hamburger rice casserole, which uses ground beef.
Today I’m showing you how to make a new casserole recipe. Chili cheese dog casserole is a delicious dish with classic chili dog flavors. It consists of layers of cooked, refrigerated crescent dough, hotdogs, shredded cheddar, and more!
To finish it off, top the casserole with your favorite hot dog toppings like ketchup, mustard, and chopped onions. This is one casserole dish you’ll want over and over again!
When did the hot dog enter the chat room?
The hot dog is a classic American summer food that has been around for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, when Gaius, the cook of Emperor Nero, is thought to have linked the first sausage. The hot dogs we know today are believed to have originated in Germany in the 1800s.
German immigrants brought a sausage called “dachshund sausages,” which eventually became known as hot dogs. In 1852, the butcher’s guild in Frankfurt wanted to claim full ownership of the sausage and introduced a new smoked sausage later adopted by Americans and became known as a frankfurter or hot dog.
Street vendors started selling them in New York in the 1860s, and the hot dog quickly became associated with baseball and American culture (Source: Hot Dog History | NHDSC).
Questions from our readers
What’s in this?
This is the perfect recipe for getting your favorite chili dog flavors using just a handful of everyday ingredients. See nutrition information in the recipe instructions that follow this post.
Refrigerated crescent dough is an easy-to-use dough made with pre-made flaky layers of pastry that can be used to make a variety of dishes. We also use this in our Apple Turnover with Crescent Rolls and in our Greek Yogurt Glazed Cinnamon Crescent Rolls.
Hot dogs provide a savory flavor and classic texture to chili cheese dog casseroles. Cut into small cubes or slices to ensure they cook evenly.
Shredded cheddar brings cheesy goodness and provides a creamy texture to the casserole. The gooey cheese brings this guilty pleasure to a whole new level!
Canned chili brings a spicy kick to the recipe and additional protein and rich flavor. Beef chili is a favorite around here. Of course, this yummy chili dog casserole is the perfect home for your own homemade chili leftovers.
Butter adds more richness and helps keep the top of the chili cheese dog casserole from drying out while baking.
Finely chopped chives bring a hint of garlic that compliments all the other flavors in the dish.
Garlic powder enhances all of the flavors without adding too much saltiness or harshness to the dish.
How to make chili cheese dog casserole
(Full recipe is at the end of this post.)
- Roll out the crescent dough and cut into 8 even rectangles. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese over the dough.
- Place the hot dogs on the pieces of crescent roll dough.
- Wrap the dough around the hot dogs.
- Evenly spread the chili in a 9″x13″ baking pan.
5. Lay the hot dog rolls across the pan of chili.
6. Add the chives and onion powder to the melted butter.
7. Brush the butter mixture over the crescent roll dough. Bake for 30 minutes at 375° F.
Pro baking tip: Here’s a pro baking tip for making chili cheese dog casserole: *Prepare the ingredients before assembling*.
Brown the meat, cook the noodles and drain and rinse the beans. When you have all of your ingredients ready, you can quickly assemble your casserole layers without worrying about anything burning or overcooking.
Substitutions and variations
- Chili Hot Dog Casserole With Various Cheese: Use your favorite chili, hot dogs, and your favorite cheese to make a delicious casserole.
- Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole: Add sausage and white rice to the mix of chili, hot dogs, and cheddar cheese for an extra cheesy and hearty meal.
- Chili Dogs Taco Bake: Layer chili over corn tortilla chips with hot dogs and top with shredded cheese for a Tex-Mex twist on this classic dish.
- Mexican Hot Dog Pie: Mix refried beans, diced tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and hot dogs before topping with biscuit dough for an unexpected spin on this classic recipe.
Spicy Bean & Hot Dog Casserole: Combine kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, and jalapenos before adding in diced hot dog pieces; top ’em off with crushed tortilla chips for a spicy spin. This chili mixture takes comfort food to a whole new level!
What are the chili toppings options?
There are so many delicious options for topping your chili cheese dog casserole. One of the best things about this recipe is each person can customize their serving with any (or all!) of these popular toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped onions
- Green onions
- Hot sauce
- Sliced jalapenos
- Diced tomatoes
- Guacamole
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Chopped cilantro
- Grated carrot
- Chopped bell peppers
- Chopped fresh garlic
- Olives, either sliced or chopped in rings
- Chunky Salsa
- Refried Beans
- Lime Wedges
- Minced Jalapeno Peppers
- Kidney Beans
- Black Beans
- Avocado slices
5 tips for making family friendly chili cheese dog casserole
- Use a variety of canned chili beans in the casserole, this adds more flavor and texture to the dish.
- Add toppings like jalapenos, cheese, scallions, or even sour cream for extra flavor and flare.
- Experiment with different types of cheese. Mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack cheese can all give your chili cheese dog casserole a unique taste.
- Don’t forget the spices! A little garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano or parsley can add an extra kick of flavor to your casserole.
- Bake your chili cheese dog casserole until it is golden brown on top, it will be worth the wait!
You could also make this chili dog casserole with hot dog buns!
Enjoying the classic flavors of a Cincinnati chili dog has never been easier than with this delicious chili cheese dog casserole.
The heartiness of the chili toppings, shredded cheddar cheese, and array of your favorite spices and toppings make for a dish that’s sure to please all palates. Gather your family around the table, and serve up some chili cheese dog casserole.
What to serve with this
- Coleslaw
- Dinner rolls
- Crusty bread
- Roasted rosemary buttered carrots
- Tator Tots
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