End Zone Chili Cheese Dog (Print Version)
Hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole featuring halal beef hot dogs, zesty chili, and gooey cheese. Ideal for game day or family.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 8 halal beef hot dogs, sliced into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 pound halal ground beef
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Canned & Pantry
06 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) chili beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
→ Spices
10 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon salt
14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Dairy
15 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (halal-certified)
16 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (halal-certified)
→ Other
17 - 6 hot dog buns (halal-certified), sliced in half
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic; sauté until vegetables soften, approximately 4 minutes.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until it is thoroughly browned, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 1 minute, allowing the spices to become fragrant.
05 - Incorporate the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chili beans into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings to your preference.
06 - Arrange the hot dog bun halves, cut side facing up, in the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute the sliced hot dogs over the buns.
07 - Pour the prepared chili mixture evenly over the hot dogs and buns in the baking dish.
08 - Sprinkle both the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses generously over the top of the chili layer.
09 - Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
10 - Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You'll adore how effortlessly it brings smiles to everyone's faces, especially when you need a hearty meal without the fuss.
- It's a fantastic way to transform simple ingredients into something genuinely spectacular and deeply satisfying.
02 -
- Always draining the fat from the ground beef is crucial; it prevents the casserole from becoming greasy and ensures a cleaner flavor.
- Don't skip the resting time after baking; it helps the casserole set slightly and makes for much neater servings.
03 -
- To ensure even cheese distribution and melt, use room temperature cheese if possible; it melts more smoothly and avoids clumping.
- Taste your chili mixture before adding it to the casserole and adjust the salt and spice levels; it's easier to fix it before baking.