Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

For the ultimate comfort food that brings back all the childhood nostalgia, this Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is absolutely incredible – layers of cornbread, savory chili, hot dogs, and melted cheese that create pure cozy perfection!

This amazing casserole takes everything you love about chili dogs and transforms it into the most satisfying, family-friendly dinner ever. With a golden cornbread crust, hearty chili and hot dog filling, and a gooey cheese topping, it’s like having a carnival favorite in casserole form – and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds!

Perfect for busy weeknight dinners, potluck gatherings, or when you want serious comfort food that feeds a crowd, this hearty casserole is kid-approved and make-ahead friendly – exactly what busy families need for stress-free meal planning. Plus, it’s so much easier than making individual chili dogs!

Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe

This hearty, cheesy, and satisfying casserole combines all your favorite chili dog flavors into one amazing family dinner that everyone will devour!

Ultimate comfort food – combines the nostalgic flavors of chili dogs with the ease and heartiness of a casserole dinner.
Kid and adult approved – familiar flavors that even picky eaters will love, but satisfying enough to make adults happy too.
One-dish convenience – everything bakes together in one pan for easy prep and minimal cleanup on busy nights.
Budget-friendly ingredients – uses affordable pantry staples like canned chili, hot dogs, and cornbread mix to feed a family generously.
Make-ahead friendly – can be prepped in advance and reheated throughout the week for easy weeknight dinners.
Crowd-pleasing size – serves 6 people generously, perfect for family dinners or bringing to potluck gatherings.

What You Need

With layers of cornbread, savory chili and hot dogs, plus melted cheese, this casserole delivers maximum comfort food satisfaction with simple ingredients.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method!

Cornbread mix – use an 8.5 oz box of cornbread or muffin mix for the perfect golden crust (Jiffy works great!).

Hot dogs – any kind works perfectly! Beef, pork, or a blend all taste amazing. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even distribution.

Canned chili with beans – saves time and effort! Use your favorite brand, or substitute with homemade chili if you prefer.

Vegetables – green pepper, onion, and celery add crunch, flavor, and a bit of nutrition to balance the richness.

Seasonings – brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder boost the flavor and create that perfect chili dog taste.

Cheddar cheese – shredded cheddar creates that irresistible cheesy topping. Buy pre-shredded to save time!

Olive oil – for sautéing the vegetables until perfectly tender.

Equipment Required

This easy casserole comes together with just basic kitchen equipment!

An 8-inch square baking dish
A large skillet for cooking the filling
Large mixing bowl for cornbread batter
Measuring cups and spoons
A sharp knife for chopping

Step By Step Instructions

Get ready for the most satisfying comfort food dinner that’ll become a new family favorite!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method!

Step 1 – Prep And Start Cornbread

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Prepare cornbread batter according to package directions. Spread half the batter into your prepared dish.

Step 2 – Sauté The Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped green pepper, onion, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3 – Brown The Hot Dogs

Add the cut-up hot dogs to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook and stir until the hot dogs are lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4 – Season The Chili Mixture

Stir in the canned chili, brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook until heated through, then stir in ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 5 – Layer And Top

Spoon the hot dog mixture over the cornbread batter in the baking dish. Top with the remaining cornbread batter, then sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup cheese.

Step 6 – Bake To Perfection

Bake uncovered for 28-32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set properly.

Expert Tips

Master this comfort food casserole with these helpful tips for perfect results every time!

Don’t skip the vegetables – they add important flavor and texture. Sauté them until just tender for the best results.
Use half the batter first – make sure to spread exactly half the cornbread batter on the bottom, saving the rest for the top layer.
Let it rest – allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes after baking so it holds together better when you slice it.
Check for doneness – the cornbread should be golden brown and a toothpick should come out clean from the center.
Storage – cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating tip – add a sprinkle of extra cheese and reheat covered at 350°F until heated through and bubbly.
Make ahead – prepare completely, cool, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use homemade chili instead of canned?
Absolutely! Use about 2 cups of your favorite homemade chili. Just make sure it’s thick enough so it doesn’t make the cornbread soggy.

What if I don’t have an 8-inch square pan?
You can use a 9-inch round pan or even a 9×9 square pan. The cooking time might vary slightly, so check with a toothpick for doneness.

Can I add other vegetables?
Yes! Diced tomatoes, corn, or jalapeños would all be delicious additions. Just make sure to drain any excess liquid.

How do I know when the cornbread is done?
The top should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

For the ultimate comfort food that brings back all the childhood nostalgia, this Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is absolutely incredible – layers of cornbread, savory chili, hot dogs, and melted cheese that create pure cozy perfection!

Course: Main Dish, Casserole
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 638kcal

Ingredients

1 (8.5 oz) package cornbread/muffin mix
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup green pepper (chopped)
½ cup onion (chopped)
½ cup celery (chopped)
1 pound hot dogs (halved lengthwise and cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 (15 oz) can chili with beans
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark

Prep and start cornbread – preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Prepare cornbread batter according to package directions. Spread half the batter into the prepared dish.
Sauté vegetables – in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped green pepper, onion, and celery. Cook and stir until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes.
Brown hot dogs – stir in the cut-up hot dogs and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes longer.
Season chili mixture – stir in chili, brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook until heated through. Stir in ¾ cup of the shredded cheese.
Layer and top – spoon the hot dog mixture over the cornbread batter in the baking dish. Top with remaining cornbread batter, then sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup cheese.
Bake to perfection – bake uncovered until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 28-32 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

Cornbread consistency – use exactly half the batter for the bottom layer and half for the top for even cooking.
Vegetable prep – dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking. Don’t skip this step – they add important flavor!
Hot dog tips – any type of hot dogs work great. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for the best distribution.
Make ahead – prepare completely, cool, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat covered at 350°F.
Storage – refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Add extra cheese when reheating.
Serving suggestions – great with tortilla chips, side salad, or corn on the cob for a complete meal.