Description
Chili cheese dog bake brings comfort food to new heights with its irresistible blend of classic flavors. Hearty chili, melted cheese, and juicy hot dogs create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 hot dogs
- 1 lb ground beef
Starches:
- 8 hot dog buns
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
Liquids and Additional:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure a non-stick surface for the chili cheese dog bake.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Sprinkle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Pour in tomato sauce and kidney beans, stirring to combine, and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Arrange hot dog buns in the prepared baking dish, creating a snug base layer for the chili mixture.
- Carefully place hot dogs on top of the bun layer, spacing them evenly across the dish.
- Ladle the prepared chili mixture over the hot dogs, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the chili layer, creating a vibrant and melty topping.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with milk to create a slightly moistened coating for added texture.
- Scatter the breadcrumb mixture over the cheese layer, providing a crispy golden-brown finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the breadcrumbs turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to settle.
- Optional: Garnish with a dollop of sour cream before serving for an extra creamy touch.
Notes
- Swap hot dogs for plant-based alternatives to create a vegetarian version that’s just as satisfying and flavorful.
- Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Add a sprinkle of jalapeños or hot sauce to boost the heat and give the dish an extra kick for spice lovers.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and make this a quick weeknight dinner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg