Description
Hearty chili cheese dog casserole brings comfort food to new heights with layers of savory goodness. Melted cheese, juicy hot dogs, and rich chili combine in a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 hot dogs
- 1 lb ground beef
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Pantry and Seasonings:
- 1 can (15 oz) chili
- 1 package corn muffin mix
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Bread and Base:
- 6 hot dog buns, torn into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles and cooking until no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes.
- Mix the prepared chili with the cooked ground beef, stirring to combine thoroughly and create a rich, hearty base for the casserole.
- Layer the torn hot dog buns across the bottom of the greased baking dish, creating an even foundation for the casserole.
- Slice the hot dogs diagonally and arrange them evenly over the bun layer, distributing them for consistent coverage.
- Pour the beef and chili mixture over the hot dogs and bun base, ensuring an even distribution of the meaty sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top, covering the entire surface with a blanket of melty goodness.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the corn muffin mix according to package instructions, incorporating chili powder and garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Dollop spoonfuls of the corn muffin batter over the cheese layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the corn muffin topping is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and a dollop of sour cream before serving for a fresh, tangy finish.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting chili powder or using spicy ground beef for extra kick.
- Swap hot dog buns with gluten-free alternatives to make the dish celiac-friendly and inclusive.
- Use turkey or plant-based hot dogs to reduce fat and create a lighter version of this comfort food classic.
- Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before baking to streamline weeknight meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg