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!
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Chili Dog Casserole with Cheese Fries
Your family will love this easy casserole that comes together in about 5 minutes!
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 4 turkey dogs sliced into 1/4” rounds (use preservative-free hot dogs if possible)
- 15 ounces canned turkey chili
- 14.5 ounces canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes very well drained
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 12 ounces frozen shoestring French fries
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13” baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together sliced hot dogs, chili, drained tomatoes, and carrots. Pour this mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Evenly arrange French fries in a single layer on top of hot dog mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle cheese over the French fries, and bake an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Main
Want more family friendly casseroles? Here you go!
Kara says
I have a question instead of chilli can you use Alfredo sauce instead.
William says
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 says
Do you just put frozen fries on top and then place in oven for 30 min?
STACY says
what brand of chili do you use?
Andi Gleeson says
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 says
Can any of these casseroles be made than freeze for a quick week day meal
Seth B says
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 says
I don’t know if it could compete with Coney Island chili dogs, but I do hope you liked it, Seth. Thank you!!
vanessa says
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 says
I hope you enjoyed it, Vanessa! Thanks for trying my recipe :)
Jan Lavallee says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Ooh, the ranch addition sounds pretty good to me! I hope this became a regular dinner at your house :)
Amber says
Would it work to substitute diced onions in place of the carrots!?
Andi says
Sure! You can never go wrong with onions :)
Kershna says
This is so delicious, I enjoyed making this with my 5 year old.
Andi says
Thank you, Kershna! I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Nicole says
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 says
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 says
So excited to try this!
★★★★★
Andi says
Thanks, Sarah! I hope you love it :)
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
This would be a huge hit in my house!! Best of both worlds-french fries and hot dogs!
Andi says
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 says
I don’t have kids at home but my husband is going to LOVE this! Great idea Andi! Thanks!
Andi says
Thank you, Chrystal! I would definitely still make this even if I didn’t have kids ;)
Ashlyn & Belle of the Kitchen says
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 says
Thanks, Ashlyn! I love being able to get some of my favorite foods all in one dish :) Thank you for stopping by!
Anne says
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 says
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 says
YYYUUUUUUMMMMM!!!! Just saw this pin on Pinterest Andi! Oh my heck, this looks so good! My boys will love this!
Andi says
Thank you, Jen! xo
Tanya Schroeder says
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 says
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 says
Ooooooo… I love this idea, Andi! :) And I love chili cheese fries and chili dogs, so why not combine the two?? ;)
Pinned & sharing!
Andi says
Thank you so much, Carrie! I really appreciate the shares :)