Ingredients:
8 hot dogs
8 string cheese sticks
1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1 (15 oz) can chili (with or without beans)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 onion, diced (optional)
Mustard and ketchup for garnish (optional)
Ingredients Overview
- Hot Dogs: The star of the dish, providing a savory, meaty component. You can choose your favorite brand or type (beef, pork, chicken, or even vegetarian hot dogs).
- String Cheese Sticks: These add a gooey, cheesy element to each hot dog, enhancing the flavor and texture.
- Refrigerated Pizza Dough: This serves as the wrapping for the hot dogs, creating a bread-like layer that bakes to a golden brown.
- Canned Chili: Adds a rich, hearty flavor. You can choose chili with or without beans, depending on your preference.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides a nice, melty topping that complements the chili and adds extra cheesiness to the dish.
- Onion: Adds a bit of crunch and sharpness, enhancing the overall flavor profile. This is optional and can be omitted if you prefer.
- Mustard and Ketchup: Classic hot dog condiments that can be used for garnishing. These add color and additional flavor dimensions.
Detailed Instructions
Preparing the Components
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prep Dough and Hot Dogs: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough on a clean surface. Cut it into 8 equal rectangles. Place a string cheese stick on each hot dog, aligning it with the length of the hot dog.
Assembling the Dish
- Wrap Hot Dogs: Wrap each cheese-topped hot dog with a rectangle of pizza dough. Make sure to pinch the seams tightly to seal. This keeps the cheese from leaking out during baking.
- Arrange in Dish: Place the wrapped hot dogs seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Spacing them evenly allows for even cooking.
- Add Chili and Cheese: Pour the canned chili over and around the wrapped hot dogs in the dish, ensuring they are somewhat covered. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, creating a generous cheesy layer.
Baking
- Bake: Put the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. You’re looking for the pizza dough to cook through and turn golden brown, and the cheese should be melted and bubbly.
Garnishing and Serving
- Garnish: Once baked, you can garnish the dish with diced onion for a fresh, crunchy element. Drizzle mustard and ketchup over the top for classic hot dog flavors.
- Serve Hot: It’s best served hot, straight from the oven. The combination of the crispy dough, melty cheese, savory hot dog, rich chili, and sharp onion creates a symphony of flavors and textures.
Conclusion
This dish is a creative and indulgent way to enjoy hot dogs. It’s like having a mini chili cheese dog bake, where every component comes together to create a mouthwatering experience. Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a party snack, or a treat for a special occasion, these hot dog delights are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the warm, cheesy, and savory goodness!