This 5 ingredient Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is an easy, cheesy, meaty masterpiece that goes from oven to table in under an hour. Canned chili and crescent dough make this recipe a simple, hearty one-dish dinner–it’s a delicious casserole with all the classic comfort food flavors!
Comforting Chili Cheese Dog Baked In A Casserole
I love creating new and exciting recipe twists on the traditional all-American favorites and this Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is just that.
I love a substantial meal that can be made in one casserole dish and then baked in the oven, especially when cooking for a crowd. That’s why this recipe is a perfectly satisfying supper of cheesy chili dog yumminess, baked with a golden flaky crust that puffs upright in the pan.
This may be a cheater version of the conventional chili dog, but when the hot dogs are wrapped in dough and then baked on a bed of cheesy chili, no one will ever conclude it came from a can! While it is still loaded with all of your favorite chili dog flavors and can be served as your usual game day party fare, this is simply the best bite of comfort food, in casserole form.
Why We Love This Chili Cheese Dog Casserole Recipe
- Quick and easy to make using only 1 dish.
- Prepared with 5 simple ingredients.
- Delicious and flavorful hearty meal.
- A fun dinner the whole family will love.
- Perfect for potlucks and BBQs.
- It can be served as a main course or as a fun addition to any game day tailgate.
Ingredients / Shopping List
- Chili with beans: You can pick your favorite type of canned chili for this, or make your own homemade chili. Use a chili with no beans for a more classic chili cheese dog.
- Can Rotel: For an extra kick, add in a can of diced green chiles.
- Original crescent dough: You can also use crescent dough sheets, but I found that crescent rolls worked best. Any type of thin dough can work for this recipe. You could also try it with pizza dough or pastry sheets, though the cook time may vary.
- Cheddar cheese: I like using sharp cheddar cheese for extra flavor, but you can use any type of cheddar, or try another melty cheese.
- Beef smoked sausage: You can use a flavored smoke sausage or your favorite brand of hot dog!
- Minced parsley, optional garnish
Substitutions and Additions
- Customize your Chili Dog: Add your favorite toppings, like onions, mustard, avocado slices, shredded lettuce, salsa, or even corn chips.
- Spice It Up: Feel free to add a few red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if you want to spice up the chili a bit.
- Wrap it: Pizza dough, flour tortillas, or hot dog buns can also wrap your hot dogs.
- Cheese: Feel free to use a different melty cheese, like Mozzarella, Colby jack, Monterey jack, and Pepper jack.
- Biscuits: Give your Chili Cheese Dog Casserole a bubble topping by using canned biscuits or homemade biscuit dough instead of the crescent roll.
- Make them Mini: Grab mini hot dogs and wrap them up in the crescent rolls just like you would the large hot dogs. Spread them throughout the casserole dish and bake! Stick some toothpicks in them and you have the perfect twist on pigs in a blanket!
Recommended Tools
- 9×13 casserole dish
- Mixing bowls and tools
- Measuring tools
SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW
How to Make the Recipe
Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is a fun twist to the classic hot dog and chili, but in casserole form! This easy meal goes from oven to table in under 60 minutes, all in one pan.
- Add chili and Rotel to your casserole dish and mix together.
- Sprinkle cheese over the center of the chili mixture and set pan aside.
- Lay the crescent dough flat and tear into 6 individual triangles.
- Sprinkle each triangle with cheese.
- Wrap around the hotdog.
Pro Tip: Make sure to leave the hot dog ends exposed. - Evenly space each wrapped hotdog on top of the chili mixture.
- Bake, garnish, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: I like to separate the rolls from each other to check for doneness.
Storage Tips
- To Store: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: To freeze, place everything properly in a freezer-safe container, but realize that the crescent dough will change in consistency once thawed. Other than the consistency of the dough, it will keep for a few months in the freezer.
- To Reheat: To reheat, you can use the microwave for single portions, or try sprinkling a little extra cheese on top and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until casserole is steaming hot and cheese is bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a great casserole for making ahead of time and storing in the freezer. However, I wouldn’t prepare it in advance without baking, as the crescent dough will get soggy and won’t crisp up at baking time.
A garden salad or roasted vegetables are great sides to serve with your casserole for a healthy addition to balance out your meal.
You can do some extra things to make this casserole even more delicious. For cheese lovers, feel free to add a lot of extra cheese on the top of the chili before baking. You can also add your favorite chili mix-ins when preparing this dish, such as freshly chopped white onions, tomatoes, or even extra chili powder. Feel free to add toppings when serving this dish, like green onions, fresh, chopped jalapeños, or cilantro. Basically, feel free to make this dish your own creation!
Other Easy Casserole Recipes
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Cowboy Casserole
- Ritz Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Crack Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Chicken Pot Pie Bake
- Broccoli and Rice Casserole
- Campfire Crescent Roll Hot Dogs
Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
Ingredients
- 30 ounce (2 cans) chili with beans
- 10 ounce can Rotel
- 8 ounce can original crescent dough
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese shredded and divided in half
- 6 beef smoked sausage
- Minced parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 9×13 inch pan, combine the canned chili and Rotel and stir until well mixed.
- Sprinkle half of the cheese (¾ cup) onto the center of the pan. Set aside for now.
- Lay out the crescent dough on the counter. Tear the croissants into 6 individual triangles.
- Sprinkle each crescent dough triangle with the last half of the cheese (¾ cup) and wrap around the hot dog, making sure to leave the hot dog ends exposed.
- Place each wrapped hot dog on top of the chili mixture in the baking dish. Try to make sure they are evenly spaced.
- Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the crescent rolls turn golden brown on top and are cooked through. I like to separate the rolls from each other to check for doneness.
- Garnish with minced parsley, optional and serve warm.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: To freeze, place everything properly in a freezer-safe container, but realize that the crescent dough will change in consistency once thawed. Other than the consistency of the dough, it will keep for a few months in the freezer.
- To Reheat: To reheat, you can use the microwave for single portions, or try sprinkling a little extra cheese on top and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until casserole is steaming hot and cheese is bubbly.
Wait..please respond asap as I have it in the oven now! Bake 25 minutes or 40??? It states both!!!
So sorry I missed this comment. It should be 40 to 45 minutes bake time. I fixed it in the recipe card. I apologize for the typo and thank you for pointing it out.
Does the dough bake all the way around the hotdog? It looks like it would be soggy dough.