Description
This Chili Cheese Dog Casserole combines all the classic flavors of chili dogs in a convenient, family-friendly casserole. With juicy hot dogs, savory chili, melted cheese, and a cornbread topping, this dish is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for weeknight dinners or game day!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 8 hot dogs (beef or turkey, sliced into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 can (15 oz) chili (with or without beans)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella)
- 1 can (8.5 oz) cornbread mix (such as Jiffy)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for added creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced jalapeños (for a spicy kick)
- Sliced green onions
- Additional shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Crumbled bacon (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the Chili: In a medium saucepan, heat the chili over medium heat until warmed through. If you prefer a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
- Prepare the Cornbread Batter: In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread mix according to the package directions. Typically, this involves mixing the cornbread mix with milk, egg, and melted butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the sour cream, if using, for extra creaminess.
- Assemble the Casserole: Layer the sliced hot dogs evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the warm chili over the hot dogs, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the chili layer.
- Top with Cornbread: Spoon the prepared cornbread batter over the chili and cheese layer, spreading it out as evenly as possible.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through (you can test by inserting a toothpick into the cornbread to check if it comes out clean).
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with optional toppings like jalapeños, green onions, extra cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can sauté the hot dog slices with a little bit of onion before adding them to the casserole.
- If you’re using store-bought chili that’s not spicy enough, consider adding chili powder, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes to the chili for some heat.
- Swap the hot dogs for turkey dogs or even vegetarian hot dogs for a lighter or plant-based option.
- You can add beans to the chili if you prefer, or even a few spoonfuls of cooked ground beef for a heartier casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American