This Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is packed with tasty chili intertwined with gooey cheese and smokey hot dogs wrapped in buttery crescent rolls. It’s one of those delicious recipes that is perfect for busy weeknights or a game day snack.

Comfort food is a must on our weekly menu! For more comfort food recipes check out this Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese, creamy and packed with three cheeses. Cheesy Taco Pasta is another simple but flavor filled dinner idea. Or try this healthy comforting Roasted Garlic Potato Soup.

A whole baking dish of hot dog casserole with a small bowl of cheese and a black and white towel.

Chili cheese dogs are an American favorite, so if you love chili dogs, this is the recipe for you. It’s the perfect recipe for any hot dog lover!

Since it only needs 4 ingredients, this is a quick meal that is absolutely amazing for a busy weeknight when you barely have time to get dinner on the table. And like these Enchilada Meatballs, this one is easy to put together and will be cooked in less than 40 minutes.

It also makes a great appetizer. You need to try these Burger Bites or corn dog bites, for the big game or any get together.

So, go grab a can of chili and some hot dogs and let’s get cookin’ this hearty meal!

Up close of baked chili cheese dog casserole.

What is Chili Cheese Dog Casserole?

This casserole is true comfort food! This recipe takes all of the components of a classic chili cheese dog and pigs in a blanket and transforms it into casserole form. You get all of the flavors of a classic hot dog but instead of hot dog buns, these are made with crescent rolls like you would have on pigs in a blanket.

Expert tip! The first time I made this recipe I didn’t flip over the wrapped hot dogs and the bottom of the crescents ended up just slightly doughy. If you don’t mind the slight doughy-ness, then don’t flip the crescents over. They still taste amazing! If you want to make sure they are cooked through, then they will need to be flipped over so that they cook through, but the dish will not be nearly as pretty.

Why we love this Hot Dog Casserole

Kids love it. The whole family will be on board with eating this hot dog recipe. Great for picky eaters.
On the go. Great for potlucks, get togethers, luncheons, or picnics. Just pack into air tight, well sealing containers so it doesn’t spill out. And you will want to pack up the crescents dogs separately from the chili so they don’t get soggy.
One dish meal. This dinner recipe is all made in one dish which is great for cleanup.
Easy meal. This is so simple to put together, it is one easy dinner recipe!
Quick dinner. Makes a great weeknight meal because it cooks quickly.

A whole baking dish of hot dog casserole.

Chili Dog Casserole Recipe Ingredients

Here are the basic ingredients needed to make this casserole. For full ingredient amounts check out the recipe card.

Crescent roll dough: You will need 1 can of refrigerated crescent dough. I like the one that is already perforated so that it’s easier to tear apart. But, if you have the solid sheets of crescent dough, they will also work you just have to slice them into triangles or squares.
Hot dogs: I like to use a good quality hot dogs for best flavor.
Cheddar Cheese: Grate your own cheese for the best gooey results.
Chili: Use your favorite canned chili or make your own homemade chili to use instead. It’s a great way to use leftover chili, just make sure it is room temperature. A classic chili dog doesn’t typically have beans in it, but It is up to you if you want to use chili with beans or chili without beans.
Optional condiments: chopped red onion, relish, ketchup, mustard, sliced jalapeños, pickled jalapeños, sliced pepperoncinis or banana pepper slices, green onions, cilantro, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sauerkraut, or more cheese.

All of the ingredients needed to make this chili dog casserole.

How to Make Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

Here are the basic recipe instructions. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.

STEP 1: Preheat the oven. Roll out the crescent dough and separate it at the perforations. You will need 6 of the 8 dough pieces.

STEP 2: Use shredded cheddar and divide evenly on each triangle of raw dough.

STEP 3: Lay a hot dog across the widest part of the dough and roll it up. Set in the center of a baking dish. Repeat for all the hot dogs keeping space between each dog.

STEP 4: Place the dish in the oven and bake.

STEP 5: Pull the dish out of the oven and carefully flip over each wrapped hot dog (this ensures they cook through. Unless you don’t mind a tiny bit of doughiness on the inside bottom then don’t flip them, they definitely are not as pretty when you flip them over).

STEP 6: Spoon in both cans of chili in along the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the chili. Cover with aluminum foil and cook until chili is hot.

STEP 7: Serve immediately with favorite condiments if desired.

Step by step instructions to make this casserole.

Tips for Success

Only cook 6 crescent dogs at a time to ensure the crescents cook through and don’t end up doughy. The last two can be cooked in a separate dish or if you don’t mind a little doughiness, squeeze them all in to the one pan.
Keep the crescent rolls in the refrigerator until ready to use them or they will be too doughy and soft.
Use good quality ingredients for best flavor.
For even favorite chili dog flavors serve this delicious dinner topped with condiments like chopped onion or a little extra cheese. There are more ideas above!

Recipe Variations

Use brats or sausages instead of hot dogs.
Use lil smokies and wrap each individually (so miniature pigs in a blanket) instead of the bigger hot dogs.
Pour the two cans of chili into the baking dish. Cut up the hot dogs and add them on top of the chili. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Press the seams together on the crescent rolls and then lay the sheet of dough over the top of the hot dogs and chili. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
You can switch it up and use puff pastry for the dough. Cooking time and baking temperature will be different.
For a larger family just double the recipe and cook it in two baking dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of hot dogs to use? We like all-beef hotdogs, use one like Nathans. But any type of hot dog will work.

Can I make it vegetarian? You can definitely make this a vegetarian chili dog casserole. All you need to do is use a vegetarian chili AND use vegetarian hot dogs. Voila!

How to Store & Reheat

How to store it? Let the casserole cool and put in an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It should last about 3-4 days in the fridge.

How do you reheat? Warm chili casserole in small portions in the microwave covered with microwave safe plastic wrap for 30 second increments until heated through.

Can I Freeze Hot Dog Casserole?

How to freeze it? I don’t recommend freezing this casserole.

What to serve with chili cheese dog casserole recipe!

If you’ve tried this ooey-gooey chili cheese hot dog casserole recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes.

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