Chili Cheese Dog Bake – The Ultimate Comfort Food You Didn’t Know You Needed!

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Think of this as the ultimate American comfort food mashup: hot dogs, homemade chili, gooey cheese, and buttery biscuit dough – all baked together into one bubbling, cheesy, crave-worthy dish. It’s perfect for game nights, potlucks, or when you just want something ridiculously satisfying. And the best part? It’s easier than you think!

 Ingredients

For the Bake:

• 8 all-beef hot dogs
• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Homemade Chili:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Chili

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until translucent (about 4 minutes).
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Add ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked.
5. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
6. Let the chili simmer on low for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.

Step 2: Prep the Hot Dogs

1. Unroll the biscuit dough and separate into pieces. Flatten each biscuit slightly into a rectangle.
2. Roll each hot dog in a piece of dough and pinch the edges to seal.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thick layer of chili at the bottom.
3. Arrange the wrapped hot dogs on top of the chili.
4. Brush the tops of the dough with melted butter.
5. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
6. Top everything with shredded cheese.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

 Tips & Variations

• Shortcut? Use canned chili if you’re short on time – just make sure it’s thick enough.
• Add a kick: Top with sliced jalapeños before baking.
• Serving idea: Serve with sour cream, chopped green onions, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
• Make it vegetarian: Use veggie hot dogs and plant-based chili.

 Can You Freeze It?

Absolutely! Assemble everything, cover tightly with foil, and freeze before baking. When ready to cook, bake directly from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes to the total time.