Well, this one’s just plain fun. This Chili Cheese Dog Casserole takes everybody’s favorite ballpark treat and turns it into an easy dinner. Hot dogs get wrapped in buttery crescent dough with a little cheddar tucked inside, then nestled on a bed of hearty chili and brushed with garlic-chive butter before they bake.
They come out golden and puffy on top, with bubbling chili underneath and melty cheese hiding in every bite. It takes about 10 minutes to put together, and it’s the kind of dinner that gets the kids to the table without being called twice. It’s a hit on game day, too.
You’ll find lots more easy, family-friendly bakes like this in my casserole recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Seven simple ingredients: Crescent dough, hot dogs, cheddar, canned chili, butter, chives, and garlic powder.
- Ready in 40 minutes: Ten minutes of hands-on time, and the oven does the rest.
- A built-in cheesy surprise: The cheddar gets wrapped right inside the dough with each hot dog.
- Kid-approved: It’s basically a pigs-in-a-blanket and chili dog mash-up. What’s not to love?
- Great for a crowd: It’s perfect for game day, sleepovers, or a casual get-together.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s what goes into this chili cheese dog casserole. You’ll find exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Refrigerated crescent dough: One 8-ounce can. It bakes up flaky and golden around each hot dog.
- Hot dogs: Eight of them, one for every square of dough. Use your favorite brand.
- Shredded cheddar: A cup, sprinkled over the dough before rolling, so it melts around each hot dog.
- Canned chili: Two 15-ounce cans make a thick, hearty base. Use chili without beans for a Cincinnati-style chili cheese dog, or swap in your favorite homemade chili.
- Melted butter, chives, and garlic powder: Brushed over the tops for color and flavor. Onion powder works just as well as garlic powder.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the dough
Heat your oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough, pinch the perforated seams together to seal them, and cut the dough into 8 even squares.
2. Wrap the hot dogs
Sprinkle cheddar over each square, then roll each one around a hot dog.
3. Layer the chili and dogs
Spread the chili in an even layer across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lay the wrapped hot dogs side by side on top.
4. Brush with garlic-chive butter
In a small bowl, stir the melted butter together with the garlic powder and chives. Brush it all over the wrapped hot dogs.
5. Bake
Bake for 30 minutes. If the crescent dough starts getting too dark before the time’s up, lay a piece of foil loosely over the top.
6. Garnish and serve
Sprinkle with more chopped chives and serve it hot.
Tips and Variations
- Seal the seams well: Pinching the perforations closed keeps the dough from splitting apart as it wraps around the hot dogs.
- Keep an eye on the tops: Every oven is different. If the dough is browning fast, tent it with foil and keep baking.
- Go Cincinnati-style: Use chili without beans for a classic Cincinnati-style chili cheese dog.
- Use homemade chili: Got leftover chili in the fridge? It works great here in place of the canned.
- Change up the cheese: Pepper jack adds a little kick, or try a Mexican cheese blend.
- Pile on the toppings: Diced onion, jalapeños, or a drizzle of mustard are all fun at serving time.
How to Serve This Recipe
Scoop out a wrapped hot dog with plenty of chili from underneath, and top it with extra chives, diced onions, or a little more shredded cheese.
For sides, think backyard cookout. Air Fryer Carrot Fries, Boiled Corn on the Cob, and a scoop of Best Creamy Macaroni Salad are all right at home next to it. Making it for game day? Set it out with a big bowl of Buffalo Chicken Dip and let the crowd dig in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chili should I use?
Canned chili keeps things quick. Use chili without beans for a Cincinnati-style version, or swap in your favorite homemade chili.
How long does chili cheese dog casserole bake?
Bake it at 375°F for 30 minutes. Cover it loosely with foil if the crescent dough starts to brown too quickly.
How do I keep the crescent dough from getting too dark?
Lay a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the dish once the tops are golden, then let it finish baking.
Can I use onion powder instead of garlic powder?
Yes. Either one works in the butter.
Can I use a different cheese?
Sure. Cheddar is classic, but pepper jack or a Mexican cheese blend also melt beautifully inside the dough.
You May Also Love
- Classic Beef Chili
- Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Classic Tater Tot Casserole
- Easy Smash Burgers
- Hobo Casserole
Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 (8-oz) can refrigerated crescent dough
- 8 hot dogs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 2 (15-oz) cans chili see Note 1
- 2 Tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp chives finely chopped, plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder see Note 2
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough, pinch the perforations together to seal, and cut into 8 even squares.
- Sprinkle cheddar over each square and roll it around a hot dog.
- Spread the chili in an even layer over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Lay the wrapped hot dogs side by side on top.
- Mix the melted butter with the garlic powder and chives in a small bowl and brush it over the hot dogs.
- Bake for 30 minutes, covering with foil if the crescent dough starts to get too dark.
- Sprinkle with more chives and serve.
.
- Chili: Canned chili keeps it quick. For a Cincinnati-style chili cheese dog, use chili without beans, or use your favourite homemade chili.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder is used in the butter, but onion powder works just as well.
- Nutrition: Estimated per serving (one wrapped hot dog plus chili) from the ingredients, using canned chili with beans and beef/pork hot dogs.
