Hot Dog Casserole
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My easy hot dog casserole uses 6 ingredients including frozen tater tots and canned chili for a super easy casserole that’s in the oven in just 10 minutes. It tastes like a chili cheese dog in casserole form, but better because it’s prepped and baked all in one dish!
Why my hot dog casserole uses Wolf chili with beans
I tested this recipe 3 times before it came out of the pan in clean, cheesy scoops.
- I switched to Wolf chili with beans. I tested thinner chilis first, and the casserole ran all over the plate. Wolf chili is thick enough to stay put, so every scoop holds together.
- I split up the cheese. When I baked all the cheese with the casserole, it got greasy and a little too brown. Now I put 2 cups under the tots and save 1 cup for the end. Once it’s done baking, I turn off the oven, sprinkle on the last cup, and let it melt in the leftover heat. That’s on purpose too so the cheese is melted, but not hard on top.
I also tested how many hot dogs to use. With fewer, it felt more like a pan of chili than a hot dog casserole. 16 hot dogs fill a 9×13 dish, so you get some in every bite.
If you’d rather use homemade chili, my Ninja Foodi chili is thick enough to work here too.
This hot dog casserole always comes in handy for weeknight dinners when I don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. It’s an easy dump-and-bake recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare before popping it in the oven. It’s why I love all of my casserole recipes!
My husband, Ben, loves this chili cheese dog casserole because it’s a fusion of three of his favorite things… hot dogs, chili, and tater tots! He always asks me to make dishes like this one and chicken tater tot casserole when he’s craving comfort food.
For more delicious casserole recipes made with just a handful of ingredients, try my pork chop casserole or my 5 ingredient squash casserole next!
Chili cheese dog casserole ingredients
- Slice the 16 hot dogs into bite-sized pieces so they heat through quickly and fit right on a spoon.
- Wolf brand chili with beans is my favorite because it’s so thick and hearty, and you’ll need two 15-ounce cans. If you use a different brand, pick a thick one or the casserole can turn out watery.
- Dice 1 cup of yellow onion as small as you can so it softens in the oven and adds a little sweetness. I dice it small so it does soften in the oven and doesn’t need to be sautéed before adding it to the dish. This saves a dish to clean and tons of prep time!
- Two teaspoons of garlic powder add savory flavor without any chopping, and it gets stirred right into the chili with the onion.
- Sharp cheddar cheese tastes just like the cheese on a chili dog. Two cups melt into the chili under the tots, and the last cup goes on top at the end.
- Use a 2-pound bag of tater tots straight from the freezer and lay them in a single layer without overlapping so every tot gets crispy on top!
Tips for crispy tots on a hearty chili dog casserole
I want a thick chili base and crispy tots on top every time I make this, and these are the steps that make it happen.
- You don’t need to cook the hot dogs first! They’re sold fully cooked, so they only need to heat through with the chili.
- Stick with a 9×13-inch casserole dish. A 2-pound bag of tots fits in one layer in that size, but a smaller or deeper dish makes them overlap and steam instead of crisp.
- Check the tater tots at 45 minutes. If they still look pale, bake them for 5 to 10 more minutes before you add the last of the cheese.
- Melt the last cup of cheese in the turned-off oven. The leftover heat is enough to melt it without burning the tots.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven. The chili thickens up a bit, and the scoops hold together better on the plate.
- Add the sour cream right before serving. I love the cold, creamy bite with the hot casserole, but if it goes on too early it melts right into the chili.
How to make a hot dog casserole
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: While the oven preheats to 375°F, grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.
STEP TWO: Slice the hot dogs into bite-sized pieces and add them to the casserole dish.
STEP THREE: Pour the canned chili into the dish, followed by the garlic powder and onion, then stir until well combined.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle 2 cups of cheddar cheese over the hot dog chili mixture.
STEP FIVE: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
STEP SIX: Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the chili is hot and the tater tots are golden and crispy.
STEP SEVEN: Turn off the oven, remove the casserole, and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Return the casserole to the turned off oven and allow the cheese to melt, for about 5 minutes.
STEP EIGHT: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, then serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Variations
- For a subtle kick of heat, swap the cheddar cheese with Pepper Jack cheese. My husband loves all things spicy, so this is his favorite way to personalize the recipe.
- Don’t have hot dogs on hand? Feel free to use smoked sausage or beef kielbasa as a substitute.
- If you prefer homemade chili over canned, just be sure your chili is on the thicker side. Check out my recipe NInja Foodi chili to see how I make mine!
What to serve with this chili dog casserole
My chili cheese dog casserole tastes delicious with homemade mac and cheese with cream cheese, and my kids also love this recipe with corn nuggets because they have a satisfying crunch just like the tater tots. If I want to pair this savory dish with something lighter, I’ll serve it with roasted carrots and asparagus or chopped salad to round out the meal.
Hot dog casserole FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the hot dog and chili mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it. I recommend waiting to add the frozen tater tots until you’re ready to bake, so they turn out nice and crispy.
How do I prevent the casserole from turning out soggy?
Baking the casserole uncovered, arranging the tater tots in a single layer, and using the tots straight out of the freezer will ensure this dish turns out golden and crispy rather than soggy.
How should I store leftovers?
Stored in an airtight container, leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat leftovers?
The air fryer is my go-to method for reheating leftover chili hot dog casserole because I love how well the tater tots crisp up in the air fryer. At 350°F, it takes just over 5 minutes to reheat.
More easy hot dog recipes
- Hot dog burnt ends
- Hot dog chili recipe
- Mummy hot dogs
- Air fryer hot dogs
- Hot dogs in the oven
- Grilled hot dogs
Hot Dog Casserole with Tater Tots (Dump & Bake)
Equipment
- 9×13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 16 hot dogs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chili with beans, Wolf brand
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced, about 1 medium onion
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.
- Place the sliced hot dogs into the casserole dish then pour both cans of chili over them. Add in the diced onions and garlic powder, then stir everything together right in the dish.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded cheese evenly over the hot dog and chili mixture.
- Take the tater tots straight from the freezer and arrange them in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 45 minutes, or until the chili is hot and the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy.
- Turn off the oven and then remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the tater tots and return the casserole back to the turned off oven. Let the cheese melt, for about 5 minutes.
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve it as is, or with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
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