Chili Dog Tater Tot Casserole is a twist on a family favorite recipe. Chili, cheese, hot dogs, tater tots….need I say more?!?!
Chili Dog Tater Tot Casserole
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 (15oz) can chili beans
- 1 (15oz) 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 (32oz) package tater tots
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish, set aside.
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CHILI: Brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain completely. Add in chili beans, tomato sauce, hot dogs and seasonings. Stir to combine.
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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.
You are just too, too nice! 😁 We do forget though that there are cooks who follow a recipe EXACTLY and don’t understand they can adapt to their family preferences, and those that use them as a guideline and “tweak” it a little. I made your recipe this morning and cooked the onions with the hamburger, basically to hide them from eyes that would spy them and not be happy 😉.
We will be eating later today, but I have an eye for good recipes, and this is one! Thank you!
Thanks Doug!! Hope you enjoyed!
Do I leave the Tater Tots frozen or thaw them before I put them on ?
Leave them frozen. Hope you enjoy!
How stupid. I wanted a hot dog cass with tater tots. This is a HAMBURGER cass with just 4 hot dogs?????? Not what was advertised!!!!
You don’t have to be mean. Just add more hot dogs.
You are just too, too nice! 😁 We do forget though that there are cooks who follow a recipe EXACTLY and don’t understand they can adapt to their family preferences, and those that use them as a guideline and “tweak” it a little. I made your recipe this morning and cooked the onions with the hamburger, basically to hide them from eyes that would spy them and not be happy 😉.
We will be eating later today, but I have an eye for good recipes, and this is one! Thank you!
I am gonna make this as soon as I get to the store to buy some hotdogs cause I am all out. My husband and I both love chili dogs.
I hope you enjoy!! Thanks Karen!
If I used canned chili instead, do you know how many cans I would need for this recipe?
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!
This is so good, I tried and my son loved it.
YAY! I am so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Making tonight. Pretty excited about this one.
Thanks, I hope you enjoy!! 🙂
If I were to freeze this meal, how long would it cook from frozen?
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!! 🙂
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
Tater tot casserole is a staple any kid needs to grow up on! 🙂 I hope you enjoy this version!
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.
I am so glad you enjoyed!! My husband is on team more heat too!! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Did you thaw the tots?
Nope you can just use them frozen. Hope you enjoy!
What are “chili beans”? Do you just mean a can of beans like great northern beans or pinto beans?
Bush’s makes chili beans. They are either pinto or kidney beans in chili sauce. I hope that helps. Thanks!
My husband had seconds and took the left overs into work the next day for lunch. ??
Thank you!! I am so glad he enjoyed it!! 🙂
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!
Thanks Karly!! Mine sure did!! 🙂
Must try that soon. I am sure my lunch bunch would go for it!
Thanks Grandma, let me know if they like it! 🙂
There’s nothing better than a Tater Tot Hotdish! Love this twist on it!
Thank you so much, Julie!
Um, yes! I will definitely be trying this one!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!