Name: Ultimate Crockpot Chili Dog Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cans chili with beans (15 ounces each); 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces); 1/2 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 pound beef hot dogs sliced into 1/2 inch pieces; 1 small yellow onion finely diced; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided; 1 bag frozen tater tots (32 ounces); 2 tablespoons sliced green onions for serving; 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño slices for serving (optional)

Description

Ultimate Crockpot Chili Dog Casserole is a cheesy, crowd-pleasing mashup of classic chili dogs and a cozy slow cooker casserole, perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or whenever you need easy dinner ideas and cozy dinner ideas that everyone will actually eat. Loaded with sliced hot dogs, hearty chili, melty cheddar, and a layer of tender tater tots, this easy recipe turns simple pantry staples into pure comfort food and kid-friendly food ideas in one hands-off, family-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

2 cans chili with beans (15 ounces each)

1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 pound beef hot dogs sliced into 1/2 inch pieces

1 small yellow onion finely diced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

1 bag frozen tater tots (32 ounces)

2 tablespoons sliced green onions for serving

2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño slices for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Spray a 6 to 7 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease with oil.

2. In the slow cooker, whisk together the chili with beans, tomato sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.

3. Stir in the sliced beef hot dogs and finely diced onion so they are evenly distributed in the chili mixture.

4. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the chili mixture.

5. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the chili and cheese, covering the surface completely.

6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges and the hot dogs are heated through.

7. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, cover again, and let the cheese melt.

8. Serve the chili dog casserole hot, topped with sliced green onions and pickled jalapeños if desired.

Notes

For a crisper top, spoon the finished casserole into a broiler-safe dish and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the tater tots and cheese are lightly browned.

Use your favorite style of chili (with or without beans) and adjust the chili powder to make the casserole more mild or spicy to suit your family.

Leftovers will thicken as they cool; stir in a splash of beef broth or water when reheating to loosen the sauce and keep everything saucy and tender.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 240
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
Calories: 650
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 1650
Fat: 42
Saturated Fat: 18
Unsaturated Fat: 20
Trans Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 38
Fiber: 6
Protein: 24
Cholesterol: 105

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