Description
This scrumptious easy chili hot dog casserole brings comfort food to new heights with layers of hearty flavor. Hot dogs nestled in zesty chili create a perfect weeknight meal for hungry families seeking simple, satisfying dinner solutions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 hot dogs
- 2 cups (500 milliliters / 16 fl oz) chili (homemade or canned)
- 8 hot dog buns (split, optional)
- 1 ½ cups (150 grams / 5.3 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (30 grams / 1 oz) diced onion (optional)
- ¼ cup (30 grams / 1 oz) sliced jalapenos (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Base Layer: Arrange hot dogs in parallel rows across the bottom of the prepared dish, creating a uniform foundation for the casserole.
- Flavor Infusion: Spread chili evenly over hot dogs, ensuring complete coverage and creating a robust base that will bind the dish together.
- Cheese Coating: Generously distribute shredded cheese across the chili layer, allowing for complete melting and a golden, appetizing surface during baking.
- Crispy Topping: Sprinkle crumbled crackers or breadcrumbs over the cheese, establishing a textured and crunchy layer that will provide delightful contrast.
- Baking Process: Place casserole in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese melts thoroughly and topping achieves a rich golden-brown color.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes to allow layers to set, then slice into portions and serve hot, optionally garnishing with chopped green onions or additional condiments.
Notes
- Optimize Hot Dog Texture: Select high-quality, all-beef hot dogs for richer flavor and prevent them from becoming soggy during baking by patting them dry before layering.
- Create Crispy Cracker Topping: Use buttery crackers like Ritz for extra crunch and golden-brown coloration, crushing them coarsely to maintain textural integrity.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute regular hot dogs with turkey or plant-based alternatives, use low-sodium chili, and select gluten-free crackers to accommodate different dietary preferences.
- Prevent Cheese Burning: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil during initial baking to ensure even cheese melting and prevent excessive browning, removing foil in the last 5-7 minutes for perfect golden topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg