Hot Dog Chili Cheese Casserole
This playful, satisfying casserole brings together everything you love about chili dogs—zesty chili, smoky hot dogs, golden cornbread, and melted cheddar—into one easy, crowd-pleasing dish. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and so simple you might never go back to making chili dogs individually.
📝 Ingredients at a Glance
| Category | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Cornbread base | 1 box (8.5 oz) cornbread or muffin mix |
| Hot dog filling | 4–6 hot dogs, chopped 1 can chili with beans |
| Vegetables | ½ green bell pepper ½ onion 1 celery stalk |
| Seasonings | 1 tbsp brown sugar ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tsp chili powder |
| Cheese topping | 1 cup shredded cheddar (divided) |
| Cooking oil | 1 tbsp olive oil |
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the base
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-inch baking dish and spread half of the cornbread batter evenly across the bottom.
2. Sauté the vegetables
Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bell pepper, onion, and celery, and cook for about 5–7 minutes until slightly tender.
3. Brown the hot dogs
Add the sliced hot dogs to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned.
4. Combine with chili
Stir in the canned chili along with the brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder. Heat until warmed through, then mix in ¾ cup of shredded cheddar.
5. Assemble the layers
Spread the chili and hot dog mixture over the cornbread layer. Pour the remaining batter on top and finish with the last ¼ cup of cheddar.
6. Bake and serve
Bake uncovered for 28–32 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
