Short description
A nostalgic, hearty one-pan bake that combines a rich chili beef base with sliced hot dogs, studded mushrooms, and a molten cheddar cheese topping—perfectly capturing the flavors of a chili cheese dog in casserole form.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold flavours & comforting texture – Spiced beef chili with beans delivers depth and warmth southernliving.com+14grandmasnacks.com+143ingredientsorless.com+14recipestasteful.com+1greatgrubdelicioustreats.com+1.
Hot dogs baked in – Juicy slices integrated throughout the bake enrich every bite .
Cheesy, golden finish – Generous cheddar melts and browns into a luscious blanket .
Effortless assembly – Mix, layer, top with chips or cornbread, bake–done!

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Chili Base

1 ½ lb ground beef
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste

For Assembly & Topping

12 beef or turkey hot dogs, sliced
3½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup diced onions (optional)
Optional crunch: ½ cup crushed potato or corn chips or cornbread topping

directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
In a large pan, cook ground beef until browned; drain excess fat.
Stir in beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, garlic & onion powders, paprika, and seasoning. Simmer until thickened.
Gently fold in sliced hot dogs and onions, then remove from heat.
Spread mixture evenly in the baking dish.
Top with cheddar cheese, then sprinkle crushed chips or cornbread crumbs.
Bake uncovered for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Rest a few minutes before serving.

Servings and timing

Prep Time: ~15 minutes
Cook Time: ~25 minutes
Total Time: ~40 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings grandmarecipesflash.com+15grandmasnacks.com+15bestcasserolerecipes.com+15recipestasteful.com+2bestcasserolerecipes.com+2cookingwithlina.com+2grandmarecipesflash.comcookingwithlina.com+2recipestasteful.com+2grandmarecipesflash.com+2

Variations

Spicy version: Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce.
Vegetarian: Swap ground beef and hot dogs for meatless chili and veggie dogs.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free chips or cornbread topping.
Low-carb: Skip chips, serve over cauliflower rice.
Mini bites: Stuff mini hot dogs into muffin tins for appetizers 3ingredientsorless.comrecipequickandeasy.comclub.horsjeu.online.

storage/reheating

Fridge: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days .
Freezer: Freeze unbaked or baked portions up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight.
Reheating:
- Oven: 350 °F for 10–15 min until heated, remove foil near end for crispiness.
- Microwave: Individual portions, 1–2 min on low power.

FAQs

What kind of hot dogs work best?

Beef hot dogs provide the most traditional taste, but turkey, chicken or plant-based versions work just as well club.horsjeu.online.

Can I use canned chili?

Absolutely—canned chili with or without beans is ideal for convenience teatimewithnaomi.com+13ingredientsorless.com+1.

Is this casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes; assemble and freeze before baking, or freeze a baked casserole for up to 2–3 months grandmasnacks.com+9recipestasteful.com+9club.horsjeu.online+9.

Can I prep it in advance?

Yes; assemble and refrigerate (covered) up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5–10 minutes to the bake time club.horsjeu.online.

How can I make it spicier?

Stir in jalapeños, hot sauce, or sprinkle red pepper flakes into the chili mix or topping.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes—diced bell peppers, onions, or corn make excellent additions bestcasserolerecipes.com+2teatimewithnaomi.com+23ingredientsorless.com+2recipestasteful.com.

What topping alternatives can I use?

Crushed chips, cornbread mix, tortillas, or biscuit/crescent roll dough all make good toppings .

Will it work with vegetarian chili?

Yes—plant-based chili and veggie dogs create a tasty vegetarian casserole recipequickandeasy.com+5teatimewithnaomi.com+53ingredientsorless.com+5.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes—transfer cooked chili-hot dog mix to a slow cooker, top with cheese, cook on low 2–3 hrs .

How to keep the top crispy?

Sprinkle crushed chips or remove foil near end of baking to allow cheese to brown nicely.

Conclusion

The Fully Loaded Classic Chili Cheese Dog Casserole delivers all the flavors of a comforting chili cheese dog in an easy, crowd-pleasing bake. With variations for all tastes and straightforward storage and reheating options, this recipe is ideal for weekday dinners, game-day spreads, or family gatherings. Grab your favorite chili, cheese and dogs, and get ready for a satisfying, cheesy, flavorful casserole that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds.