Chili Cheese Dog Casserole (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Chili Base

01 - 500 g ground beef
02 - 400 g kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 400 ml tomato sauce
04 - 60 g tomato paste
05 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Assembly

11 - 8 beef or turkey hot dogs
12 - 200 g shredded sharp cheddar cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 23x33 cm baking dish.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and sauté until fully browned with no pink remaining, about 7 minutes. Drain off excess fat.
03 - Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cooked beef. Stir well, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
04 - Transfer the thickened chili evenly into the prepared baking dish.
05 - Nestle hot dogs vertically into the chili, arranging them evenly with small gaps between each.
06 - Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface, allowing hot dog tips to remain exposed.
07 - Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the hot dogs are slightly blistered.
08 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Notes:

01 - For superior melting and flavor, grate cheddar cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded varieties to avoid anti-caking agents.
02 - Resting after baking helps the casserole set, resulting in cleaner slices.
03 - Incorporate diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat to personal taste.
04 - Experiment with black beans or pinto beans for variety.
05 - Ground turkey or chicken is a lean alternative to beef. If swapping meats, monitor sodium content in hot dogs and seasonings.
06 - Serve with toppings like crushed corn chips, diced onions, sour cream, or jalapeños for added texture and flavor.

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