If you ask me, hot dog tater tot casserole is comfort food at its finest.

This hearty dish brings together two childhood favorites – crispy tater tots and savory hot dogs – in a cozy, family-style casserole. Melted cheese and a creamy sauce tie everything together, while the golden-brown tots create the perfect topping.

It’s layered with pieces of hot dogs, mixed with a simple blend of seasonings, and topped with those iconic potato bites that get perfectly crispy in the oven. A sprinkle of cheese on top makes it even more irresistible.

It’s a no-fuss meal that always brings smiles to the dinner table, perfect for busy weeknights when you need something filling and fun.

hot dog tater tot casserole — Image: theamazingfood.com / All Rights reserved

Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Casserole

Kid-friendly meal – This combination of hot dogs, tater tots, and cheese is something the whole family will get excited about – especially the little ones!
Easy assembly – With just a handful of ingredients and simple layering, you can put this casserole together in about 15 minutes before popping it in the oven.
Budget-friendly dinner – Using affordable ingredients like hot dogs and tater tots, this filling casserole feeds the whole family without breaking the bank.
Make-ahead friendly – You can assemble this casserole earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it – perfect for busy weeknights.
Customizable recipe – Feel free to use your favorite type of hot dogs, switch up the cheese, or choose chili with or without beans to make it just the way your family likes it.

What Kind of Hot Dogs Should I Use?

When it comes to hot dogs for this casserole, you’ve got plenty of tasty options to choose from. All-beef hot dogs tend to have the best flavor and texture, but regular mixed-meat hot dogs will work just fine too. If you’re looking to cut calories, turkey or chicken hot dogs can be a good substitute, though they might not be quite as juicy. Just stay away from fancy specialty hot dogs or anything with strong added flavors – you want the hot dogs to complement the other ingredients, not overpower them. For the best results, pick hot dogs that are on the thicker side since they’ll hold up better during baking and add more substance to each bite.

Options for Substitutions

This easy casserole is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps! Here are some substitutions you can try:

Hot dogs: You can easily swap hot dogs with sliced smoked sausage, kielbasa, or even ground beef. If using ground beef, brown it first before adding to the casserole.
Canned chili: Don’t have canned chili? Make your own quick version with a can of beans and a can of diced tomatoes mixed with 2 tablespoons of chili powder. Or use leftover homemade chili if you have some!
Tater tots: While tater tots give this dish its classic taste, you could use hash browns or even french fries in a pinch. Just keep in mind that cooking time might need to be adjusted slightly.
Cheddar cheese: Any melty cheese works here – try Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend. You could even use a mix of different cheeses you have on hand.
Onion: Out of fresh onion? Use 1 tablespoon of onion powder instead. Green onions work too, just add them towards the end of cooking.
Red pepper flakes: Skip these if you don’t like heat, or replace with a dash of hot sauce or a small can of diced green chilies.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making hot dog tater tot casserole is ending up with soggy tater tots – to keep them crispy, make sure to arrange them in a single layer and avoid overcrowding, which allows each tot to get golden and crunchy. A common mistake is adding too much liquid from the chili, so drain any excess liquid before layering it into your casserole to prevent a soupy bottom. For the best cheese pull and even melting, don’t dump all the cheese on at once – instead, add half in the middle layer and save the rest for the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. To ensure your casserole holds together when serving, let it rest for 5-10 minutes after coming out of the oven, which gives the layers time to set and makes portioning much easier.

What to Serve With Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole?

This hearty casserole is basically a whole meal in one dish, but adding a few simple sides can make dinner even more satisfying! A crisp coleslaw or fresh green salad provides a nice contrast to the rich, warm casserole and adds a welcome crunch to your plate. If you’re feeding a crowd, put out some pickle spears, sliced jalapeños, and extra shredded cheese – these toppings let everyone customize their portion just like they would a regular hot dog. For an extra touch of fun, serve some yellow mustard on the side since it pairs so well with both hot dogs and tater tots.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This hearty casserole will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The tater tots might lose a bit of their crispiness, but the flavor just gets better as all those tasty ingredients hang out together!

Freeze: You can freeze this casserole either before or after baking. If freezing before, assemble everything but don’t bake – wrap it well and freeze for up to 3 months. For leftovers, let them cool completely, then pop them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheat: To warm up refrigerated leftovers, pop them in the microwave for a quick fix, or heat in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes to help crisp up those tater tots again. If reheating from frozen, bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.