Get ready for a blast of nostalgic flavor and ultimate comfort! This Cheesy Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole is a fun, hearty, and unbelievably easy-to-make dish that brings together all the beloved elements of chili dogs and crispy tater tots into one glorious baked masterpiece. It’s the kind of crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for a casual family dinner, a potluck, or a game night – guaranteeing smiles all around!
Why I Love This Recipe
This casserole is a true weeknight hero in my kitchen. What I love most is its sheer simplicity and how it delivers on maximum comfort with minimal effort. It takes those classic, comforting flavors of hot dogs and chili and elevates them with the irresistible crunch of tater tots and a generous blanket of gooey, melted cheddar cheese. It’s satisfying, incredibly flavorful, and brings a fun, playful twist to dinner. Plus, it’s easily scalable and notoriously kid-friendly, making it a win-win for everyone!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly comforting casserole:
- 8 hot dogs, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chili (either with or without beans)
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Swaps and Notes
- Hot Dogs: Use your favorite brand and type of hot dogs (beef, pork, turkey, or even veggie dogs). Slicing them into half-inch rounds helps distribute them evenly throughout the casserole.
- Chili: A good quality canned chili is a fantastic shortcut. Whether you prefer it with or without beans is entirely up to you!
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese melts beautifully and provides that classic flavor, but a Mexican blend or Colby Jack would also be delicious.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion blends seamlessly into the chili mixture. If you want a milder onion flavor, soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain before adding.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adjust the amount to your preferred level of heat. Omit entirely if you’re sensitive to spice, or add a little more for a bolder kick!
- Tater Tots: Ensure they are frozen. They’ll bake up perfectly crispy on top!
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious and easy casserole into the oven!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Combine Chili Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced hot dogs, the two cans of chili (with or without beans, as preferred), ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, finely chopped onion, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix everything together thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined and the hot dog slices are evenly distributed.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the hot dog and chili mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. Spread it out evenly to form the base layer of your casserole.
- First Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the hot dog and chili mixture. This layer of cheese will get beautifully melty and gooey in the oven.
- Add Tater Tots: Carefully spread the entire bag of frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese. Try to arrange them so they cover the surface as much as possible for maximum crispiness.
- Initial Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. During this time, the tater tots will start to cook and crisp, and the cheese underneath will melt.
- Final Cheese & Bake: After 30 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the tater tot layer. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the top layer of cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly. Serve hot and enjoy this ultimate comfort food!
Tips for Success
- Don’t Thaw Tots: Do not thaw your tater tots before adding them to the casserole. They will get much crispier if added frozen.
- Single Layer of Tots: Spreading the tater tots in a single layer is important for achieving maximum crispiness. If you pile them too high, they may steam instead of crisping up.
- Adjust Spice: The crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle warmth. If serving to young children or those sensitive to spice, you can omit them entirely. For more heat, feel free to add more!
- Drain Fat: If your ground beef/turkey chili is homemade, ensure you drain any excess fat before adding it to the casserole mixture to prevent greasiness.
- Resting Time: Allowing the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking helps the layers set, making it easier to scoop and serve neatly.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Cheesy Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty, complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions:
- Extra Toppings: Offer a toppings bar with diced raw onion, jalapeño slices, sour cream, extra hot sauce, or fresh cilantro for customization.
- Green Salad: A simple, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
- Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw adds a cool, crunchy side that complements the flavors.
- For other incredibly popular cheesy, easy-to-make dishes, consider serving this alongside our famous This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers or our unique How I Turned a Classic Sandwich into the Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This casserole makes excellent leftovers, often tasting even better the next day!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the tater tots are re-crisped. You can also microwave it, but the tots may lose some crispness.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes relatively well, though the tater tots might soften slightly upon thawing and reheating. Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed the easy, cheesy, and incredibly comforting nature of this casserole, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other crowd-pleasing, fuss-free recipes:
- For another fantastic sheet-pan appetizer that utilizes tater tots, check out These Totchos Are My Favorite Party Food Hack: Tater Tot Nachos for the Win!.
- If you’re a fan of super easy weeknight dinner shortcuts, our This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut is a must-try!
- And for a fun, interactive way to feed a crowd, don’t miss our Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd!
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of classic comfort food in a convenient, delicious package. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or any time you need a dish that’s guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy hungry appetites. Simple to prepare, bursting with flavor, and oh-so-cheesy – it’s an absolute winner!
Give this recipe a try, and watch how quickly it disappears! We love hearing from our readers, so please share your thoughts and any delicious variations you try in the comments below. And as always, for more fantastic and easy recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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