Chili Cheese Hot Dog Casserole Recipe

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is an easy, family-friendly dinner made with just five simple main ingredients. Warm chili, melty cheese, soft crescent rolls, and classic hot dogs come together in one comforting casserole that is quick to prepare and fun to serve.

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

If you love chili cheese dogs, this casserole is a simple way to enjoy all of those classic flavors without assembling each hot dog one at a time. It has the warm, savory chili, the gooey melted cheese, the soft bread, and the familiar hot dogs that make this dish feel fun, casual, and satisfying.

Chili cheese dogs always bring to mind summer cookouts, ball games, fairs, and easy weekend meals. This recipe takes that same nostalgic flavor and turns it into a baked dinner that works well for busy weeknights, game day, or a relaxed family meal. Instead of using traditional buns, the hot dogs are wrapped in crescent roll dough with cheese, baked until the dough is cooked through, then topped with chili and shredded cheddar before going back into the oven.

The result is a cheesy chili hot dog casserole that is hearty, melty, and a little messy in the best possible way. It is also very quick to put together. With only a few minutes of prep time, you can have everything in the baking dish and ready for the oven. Keep napkins close by, because this is definitely a warm, saucy, cheesy dinner.

This chili cheese dog casserole recipe is especially helpful when you need something simple that still feels filling and comforting. It uses easy-to-find ingredients, requires very little chopping, and makes enough for eight servings. You can serve it straight from the baking dish and let everyone add their favorite toppings.

What to Serve with Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

Chili cheese dog casserole is rich and hearty, so it pairs well with simple sides. French fries or potato chips are classic choices and keep the meal casual. A fresh green salad is also a great option because it adds a crisp, lighter contrast to the warm chili and melted cheese.

If you prefer a warm vegetable on the side, steamed broccoli or mixed vegetables work well. These sides are easy to prepare while the casserole is baking and help round out the meal without making dinner complicated. You can also set out simple toppings such as chopped onions, sour cream, parsley, cilantro, or avocado so everyone can finish their serving the way they like it.

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole Recipe- A quick and easy family dinner idea recipe inspired by chili cheese dogs combined with the comfort and ease of a casserole. OMG. So cheesy!

Can You Freeze Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

Yes, this chili cheese dog casserole can be frozen, although the recipe is so quick that you may not need to make it ahead. If you do want to prepare part of it in advance, the best method is to assemble the hot dogs in the crescent rolls first.

Place the wrapped hot dogs flat on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you are ready to bake, continue with the recipe instructions as written. Because the wrapped hot dogs are frozen, add about 3 to 5 minutes to the first baking time to make sure the crescent rolls cook through before the chili is added.

It is important to bake the crescent rolls until they are fully cooked before pouring chili over them. This helps the casserole cook safely and also keeps the dough from becoming too soggy. The rolls will still be soft after baking with the chili, but they should not be raw in the center.

More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dog Sloppy Joes – another tasty way to enjoy chili cheese dog flavor, served on hamburger buns.
American Goulash – a simple pasta and beef dinner made in one pot with just a few ingredients.
Unstuffed Peppers – an easy skillet meal with ground beef, rice, and the flavor of stuffed peppers without the extra work.
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole – a family-style casserole that works as a complete meal in one baking dish.
Creamy Sausage and Tortellini – tortellini and sausage in a creamy tomato sauce with a little spice.

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole Video

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

This easy chili cheese dog casserole is made with crescent rolls, hot dogs, cheese, and chili for a quick baked dinner the whole family can enjoy.

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chili Cheese Dog Casserole, Chili Cheese Hot Dog Casserole

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 35

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 407kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

1 package of crescent rolls (with 8 crescent rolls)
8 hot dogs
8 slices cheddar or American cheese
1 can of no-beans chili (15 ounces)
1 cup shredded cheddar
Optional toppings, such as chopped onions or sour cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent rolls and separate them into 8 triangles. Place one slice of cheese on each triangle, then set one hot dog on top of the cheese.
Roll each hot dog inside the crescent dough and place the wrapped hot dogs in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are cooked through.
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Pour the chili evenly over the crescent-wrapped hot dogs, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top.
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the chili is hot and the cheese is melted. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Make sure the crescent rolls are fully cooked before adding the chili. This helps the casserole cook properly and keeps the rolls from becoming overly soggy. They may still be soft after the second bake, which is normal.
You can use 2 cups of homemade chili instead of canned chili if you prefer.
Add fresh toppings such as chopped parsley, cilantro, onions, sour cream, or avocado before serving.

Nutrition

UPDATE INFO: This post was originally published in July 2014. It was updated in October 2021 with additional pictures, a video, and more detailed instructions.