Your family will love you even more when you make them this Chili Dog Casserole topped with Cheese Fries!
Could your kids eat hot dogs for dinner 5 nights a week if you let them? Mine could! I try to limit their tube-shaped meat to a maximum of twice per week, but this Chili Dog Casserole might convince me to add an extra night of hot dog fun.
I know my kids aren’t the only ones who are hot dog lovers. A couple weeks ago I went to a Q&A session with the principal of our elementary school, and the topic came up of how long the kids have to eat at lunch. That’s when our principal, who has a doctoral degree in education, started talking about “hot dog day.” Apparently, when the school lunch is hot dogs, it is so popular, that a long line forms. The kids at the back of the line don’t have much time to eat their food because by the time they sit down, it’s almost recess time. I found it hilarious that a group of grown adults was gathered together to discuss challenges caused by hot dog popularity.
If your kids (or your spouse or YOU) are big hot dog fans too, then you will really love this recipe. At first glance, it looks like a guilty pleasure, but hold your horses because it’s really not that bad. There are vegetables in there. Plus, the hot dogs I use are preservative-free turkey dogs, which is about as healthy as a hot dog can get. Yes there are french fries on top, but I’m OK with that.
It only takes about 5 minutes to throw this casserole together, and then you can go on about your business while it bakes. Serve it with a simple side salad with Ranch dressing to load up on even more veggies, and this is a fun, kid-friendly dinner you can feel good about!
Want more family friendly casseroles? Here you go!
Andi Gleeson
Andi Gleeson is a passionate blogger and mom based in San Francisco who focuses on easy and delicious dinner recipes.
36 comments
Kara
6 years ago
I have a question instead of chilli can you use Alfredo sauce instead.
William
7 years ago
I added diced onion and diced jalapeno peppers. The carrots left an odd odor and an odd flavour. When I make this again I will for sure be leaving out the carrots.
Tina Remark
7 years ago
Do you just put frozen fries on top and then place in oven for 30 min?
STACY
8 years ago
what brand of chili do you use?
Andi Gleeson
8 years ago
Hi, Stacy! I don’t have a particular brand I always get. I usually look for turkey chili and just check the nutritional info and price if there are multiple options :)
Debby
8 years ago
Can any of these casseroles be made than freeze for a quick week day meal
Seth B
8 years ago
Andi, I love all the unique casseroles that you’ve posted, and am excited to try this one! I moved to a town without a coney island anywhere nearby, so good chili cheese fries have been something that I’ve missed!
Thanks for posting! Excited to try this out! Cheers!
Andi Gleeson
8 years ago
I don’t know if it could compete with Coney Island chili dogs, but I do hope you liked it, Seth. Thank you!!
vanessa
8 years ago
I’m making this now. Its already in the over doing its 30 Time. I enjoyed preparing it and I’m excited To eat It!!! Thank you. Btw found you on pinterest
Andi Gleeson
8 years ago
I hope you enjoyed it, Vanessa! Thanks for trying my recipe :)
Jan Lavallee
8 years ago
Husband is going to love this! He’s a hot dog fiend, me not so much but in a dish like this I think I could love it too. Going to be tonight’s dinner :-)
Andi @ The Weary Chef
8 years ago
I hope you enjoyed it, Jan! I don’t eat that many hot dogs, but like you said, when they are in a dish like this, I like them more. I’ve always been a fan of chili dogs!
sarah
9 years ago
Wow this recipe is perfect… It has all of my husbands favorite foods, is easy to make, and it seems like the ingredients will be pretty cheap too, which is important considering I will definitely not be getting more than a couple bites for myself :) I can totally see him pouring ranch all over this too…can’t wait to try it tonight! Only a couple more weeks of housewife doting till school starts again so I gotta make it count!
Andi Gleeson
8 years ago
Ooh, the ranch addition sounds pretty good to me! I hope this became a regular dinner at your house :)
Amber
10 years ago
Would it work to substitute diced onions in place of the carrots!?
Andi
10 years ago
Sure! You can never go wrong with onions :)
Kershna
10 years ago
This is so delicious, I enjoyed making this with my 5 year old.
Andi
10 years ago
Thank you, Kershna! I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Nicole
10 years ago
Could this be thrown together, minus the cheese, and frozen then popped in the oven? Wondering if it would work well as a freezer meal :) Thanks!!
Andi
10 years ago
That should work! It would probably have to bake longer then though, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together if you use pre-shredded carrots. Thanks for asking, Nicole :)
Sarah D
10 years ago
So excited to try this!
Andi
10 years ago
Thanks, Sarah! I hope you love it :)
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector)
10 years ago
This would be a huge hit in my house!! Best of both worlds-french fries and hot dogs!
Andi
10 years ago
Yes, you can’t go wrong with those! I think we have similar tastes because I love all your hearty food recipes too. Your Outback fries look amazing!
Chrystal Thurston
10 years ago
I don’t have kids at home but my husband is going to LOVE this! Great idea Andi! Thanks!
Andi
10 years ago
Thank you, Chrystal! I would definitely still make this even if I didn’t have kids ;)
Ashlyn & Belle of the Kitchen
11 years ago
Oh my word, Andi, this is completely drool-worthy! Chili dogs are one of my ultimate foods and combined with the fries?! Oh yum!! Looks amazing!
Andi
11 years ago
Thanks, Ashlyn! I love being able to get some of my favorite foods all in one dish :) Thank you for stopping by!
Anne
11 years ago
Found this on Pinterest too! Sounds so good, but I’d have to add quite a bit more cheese. One cup is about half an individual serving size in my house. Yes, we’re fat. :)
Andi
11 years ago
You should definitely pile on more cheese, Anne! Cheesiness should always be adjusted to taste ;) Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
11 years ago
YYYUUUUUUMMMMM!!!! Just saw this pin on Pinterest Andi! Oh my heck, this looks so good! My boys will love this!
Andi
11 years ago
Thank you, Jen! xo
Tanya Schroeder
11 years ago
You big sneak, adding vegetables in there! I have to admit, I love this for myself! I’m sure my kids would think they’ve won the lottery!
Andi
11 years ago
Vegetables mixed with hot dogs are much more likely to be eaten than when served on their own ;) You cracked me up with that lottery comment, Tanya. Thanks so much for coming over!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
11 years ago
Ooooooo… I love this idea, Andi! :) And I love chili cheese fries and chili dogs, so why not combine the two?? ;)
Pinned & sharing!
Andi
11 years ago
Thank you so much, Carrie! I really appreciate the shares :)
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36 comments
I have a question instead of chilli can you use Alfredo sauce instead.
I added diced onion and diced jalapeno peppers. The carrots left an odd odor and an odd flavour. When I make this again I will for sure be leaving out the carrots.
Do you just put frozen fries on top and then place in oven for 30 min?
what brand of chili do you use?
Hi, Stacy! I don’t have a particular brand I always get. I usually look for turkey chili and just check the nutritional info and price if there are multiple options :)
Can any of these casseroles be made than freeze for a quick week day meal
Andi, I love all the unique casseroles that you’ve posted, and am excited to try this one! I moved to a town without a coney island anywhere nearby, so good chili cheese fries have been something that I’ve missed!
Thanks for posting! Excited to try this out! Cheers!
I don’t know if it could compete with Coney Island chili dogs, but I do hope you liked it, Seth. Thank you!!
I’m making this now. Its already in the over doing its 30 Time. I enjoyed preparing it and I’m excited To eat It!!! Thank you. Btw found you on pinterest
I hope you enjoyed it, Vanessa! Thanks for trying my recipe :)
Husband is going to love this! He’s a hot dog fiend, me not so much but in a dish like this I think I could love it too. Going to be tonight’s dinner :-)
I hope you enjoyed it, Jan! I don’t eat that many hot dogs, but like you said, when they are in a dish like this, I like them more. I’ve always been a fan of chili dogs!
Wow this recipe is perfect… It has all of my husbands favorite foods, is easy to make, and it seems like the ingredients will be pretty cheap too, which is important considering I will definitely not be getting more than a couple bites for myself :) I can totally see him pouring ranch all over this too…can’t wait to try it tonight! Only a couple more weeks of housewife doting till school starts again so I gotta make it count!
Ooh, the ranch addition sounds pretty good to me! I hope this became a regular dinner at your house :)
Would it work to substitute diced onions in place of the carrots!?
Sure! You can never go wrong with onions :)
This is so delicious, I enjoyed making this with my 5 year old.
Thank you, Kershna! I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Could this be thrown together, minus the cheese, and frozen then popped in the oven? Wondering if it would work well as a freezer meal :) Thanks!!
That should work! It would probably have to bake longer then though, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together if you use pre-shredded carrots. Thanks for asking, Nicole :)
So excited to try this!
Thanks, Sarah! I hope you love it :)
This would be a huge hit in my house!! Best of both worlds-french fries and hot dogs!
Yes, you can’t go wrong with those! I think we have similar tastes because I love all your hearty food recipes too. Your Outback fries look amazing!
I don’t have kids at home but my husband is going to LOVE this! Great idea Andi! Thanks!
Thank you, Chrystal! I would definitely still make this even if I didn’t have kids ;)
Oh my word, Andi, this is completely drool-worthy! Chili dogs are one of my ultimate foods and combined with the fries?! Oh yum!! Looks amazing!
Thanks, Ashlyn! I love being able to get some of my favorite foods all in one dish :) Thank you for stopping by!
Found this on Pinterest too! Sounds so good, but I’d have to add quite a bit more cheese. One cup is about half an individual serving size in my house. Yes, we’re fat. :)
You should definitely pile on more cheese, Anne! Cheesiness should always be adjusted to taste ;) Thanks so much for stopping by!
YYYUUUUUUMMMMM!!!! Just saw this pin on Pinterest Andi! Oh my heck, this looks so good! My boys will love this!
Thank you, Jen! xo
You big sneak, adding vegetables in there! I have to admit, I love this for myself! I’m sure my kids would think they’ve won the lottery!
Vegetables mixed with hot dogs are much more likely to be eaten than when served on their own ;) You cracked me up with that lottery comment, Tanya. Thanks so much for coming over!
Ooooooo… I love this idea, Andi! :) And I love chili cheese fries and chili dogs, so why not combine the two?? ;)
Pinned & sharing!
Thank you so much, Carrie! I really appreciate the shares :)