Chili Dog Tater Tot Casserole is a twist on a family favorite recipe. Chili, cheese, hot dogs, tater tots….need I say more?!?!
I grew up eating tater tot casserole and it was a childhood favorite. My brother and I always cleaned our plates with this meal. My mom often put mixed vegetables in her tater tot casserole.
I guess it was a way to get us to eat more veggies.
Almost everyone has a recipe for the original tater tot casserole so I thought I would make a different version. Well, a completely different version!
I would probably call this total man food with it being full of beans, cheese and ground beef- but my kids devoured it as well. This is not what we eat on an everyday basis but when you are in need of some total comfort food that isn’t lacking in flavor (or calories) this casserole is a must.
I am not a fan of hot dogs since they are so full of the unknown so I used Applegate natural uncured beef hot dogs. They are free from all those harsh preservatives, nitrates and they are lower in fat too!
In my opinion, they taste way better too! This is not a sponsored post, I just like their products and use them often in our home.
I made a quick homemade chili for this dish but you could use a can of chili. However, I highly recommend making your own, it really doesn’t take that much longer and it tastes so much better!
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 15 oz can chili beans
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 4 hot dogs cut into small bites
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 32 oz pkg. tater tots
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish, set aside.
-
CHILI: Brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain completely. Add in chili beans, tomato sauce, hot dogs and seasonings. Stir to combine.
-
ASSEMBLY: Spoon chili into prepared dish. Sprinkle chopped onions on top then sprinkle 2 cups cheddar on top. Arrange tater tots on top of the cheddar (the whole package may not be used). Bake for 30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes just to melt the cheese.
Tristan says
Um, yes! I will definitely be trying this one!
Malinda says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Julie Evink says
There’s nothing better than a Tater Tot Hotdish! Love this twist on it!
Malinda says
Thank you so much, Julie!
Delores Nelsen says
Must try that soon. I am sure my lunch bunch would go for it!
Malinda says
Thanks Grandma, let me know if they like it! 🙂
Karly Campbell says
Tater tot casserole WAS my childhood, but adding the chili dog twist takes this to a whole other level! My kids are going to go bananas over this!
Malinda says
Thanks Karly!! Mine sure did!! 🙂
Mel says
My husband had seconds and took the left overs into work the next day for lunch. ??
Malinda says
Thank you!! I am so glad he enjoyed it!! 🙂
Bonnie says
What are “chili beans”? Do you just mean a can of beans like great northern beans or pinto beans?
Malinda says
Bush’s makes chili beans. They are either pinto or kidney beans in chili sauce. I hope that helps. Thanks!
Leanne McNatt says
Did you thaw the tots?
Malinda says
Nope you can just use them frozen. Hope you enjoy!
Bill says
We had this for supper tonight and it was delicious! My wife said it needed just a little more heat, so may use HOT chili beans rather than the mild ones we used. Maybe add a package of chili seasoning.
Malinda says
I am so glad you enjoyed!! My husband is on team more heat too!! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Lin says
I love the original tater tot casserole. I raised my kids on it. Now, it’s just the 2 of us and I can’t wait to try this. My husband is all over anything that taste like a chili dog. Thanks
Malinda says
Tater tot casserole is a staple any kid needs to grow up on! 🙂 I hope you enjoy this version!
Christina says
If I were to freeze this meal, how long would it cook from frozen?
Malinda says
I haven’t made this from frozen so I can’t say for sure but I would guess at least an hour. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Kelsey Smith says
Making tonight. Pretty excited about this one.
Malinda says
Thanks, I hope you enjoy!! 🙂
dandydogsbiz says
This is so good, I tried and my son loved it.
Malinda says
YAY! I am so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Bailey says
If I used canned chili instead, do you know how many cans I would need for this recipe?
Malinda says
I can’t say for sure but I think 2 cans would be enough. Thanks for asking and sorry I couldn’t be of more help! Hope you enjoy!