Fully Loaded Classic Chili Cheese Dog Casserole – The Ultimate Comfort Food Bake
Looking for a meal that screams comfort food and brings the whole family running to the dinner table? Meet your new obsession: Fully Loaded Classic Chili Cheese Dog Casserole! This one-pan wonder combines everything you love about classic chili dogs—rich meaty chili, juicy hot dogs, and loads of melted cheddar—into a warm, bubbling, oven-baked dish that’s perfect for game nights, potlucks, or just a cozy night in.
It’s messy. It’s cheesy. It’s deeply satisfying. And best of all? It’s super easy to make.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
- ✅ One Pan, Big Flavor: All the chili dog goodness in a single baking dish.
- ✅ Kid-Approved & Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with picky eaters and party guests.
- ✅ Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it early, bake it later.
- ✅ Customizable: Swap in turkey dogs, add jalapeños, or mix up your cheese.
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Hearty Chili Base:
- 1½ lb ground beef
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Casserole Assembly:
- 12 beef or turkey hot dogs
- 3½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
🔥 How to Make It – Step-by-Step
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get things warmed up.
2. Cook the Chili
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, chili powder, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and becomes nice and hearty.
3. Assemble the Casserole
Spread the hot, thick chili mixture evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Nestle the hot dogs into the chili vertically, standing up in rows and spaced evenly apart. This gives you that classic exposed hot dog look.
4. Top with Cheese
Generously sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top, completely blanketing the casserole. Leave the tips of the hot dogs peeking out for a fun and rustic visual.
5. Bake to Perfection
Pop the dish into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. The hot dogs should be lightly blistered on top—pure comfort!
6. Cool & Serve
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes scooping easier.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve with toasted buns or cornbread on the side.
- Top with chopped green onions, pickled jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Pair it with a crisp side salad to balance the richness.
❄️ Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze portions in individual containers for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.
🔎 Nutrition (Approx. per serving – based on 8 servings):
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
💬 Final Thoughts
The Fully Loaded Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is everything you want in a comfort dish: meaty, cheesy, nostalgic, and ridiculously satisfying. It brings together the bold flavors of chili and the smoky goodness of hot dogs under a gooey layer of cheese—all baked to perfection.
This is the kind of recipe that brings people together. It’s weeknight-friendly, weekend-worthy, and totally unforgettable. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. 🧡