Go Back
–+ servings
Square overhead bowl of hot dog casserole on a white table.
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Hot Dog Casserole

An easy dump-and-bake dinner that bakes in one dish with just 10 minutes of prep!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword easy hot dog casserole recipe, hot dog casserole, hot dog casserole recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 639kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 1 (22 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce (about 2 ½ cups)
  • 3 cups low sodium or unsalted chicken broth (or sub with water)
  • 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1 (16 ounce) package hot dogs (frankfurters), sliced into rounds
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) grated cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (or more for a spicy casserole)
  • Optional: fresh parsley and/or sliced green onion for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray. In the prepared baking dish (or in a separate large bowl), stir together the Alfredo sauce, chicken broth, uncooked pasta, hot dogs, tomatoes, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, onion powder, and cayenne. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
    Hot dog casserole ingredients in a white dish before baking.
  • Uncover; stir. At this point you should check the pasta to make sure that it is al dente (firm but with a tender bite). I have had good luck with the 35-minute cook time; however, some folks might need 10 or 15 minutes longer. If the pasta is still too hard after 35 minutes, just cover the dish and return it to the oven until the pasta is al dente. Then move on to the next step.
    Stirring hot dog casserole while it's baking.
  • Once the pasta is al dente, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top.
    Process shot showing how to make hot dog casserole.
  • Bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes, until the cheese melts and the pasta is tender. Garnish with parsley and sliced green onion, if desired.
    Horizontal overhead image of a pan of hot dog casserole.

Notes

  • To feed a smaller family, cut all of the ingredients in half and bake the casserole in an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish. You might be able to reduce the total baking time by a few minutes, but otherwise the instructions remain the same.
  • Don’t have rotini pasta? You can substitute with other similar short pasta shapes such as penne, rigatoni, or elbows. Just pick a pasta that has a similar cooking time as the rotini (about 7-8 minutes recommended on the package) — otherwise you’ll need to adjust the casserole’s baking time in the oven.
  • Total cooking time will vary depending on the type of pan that you use, your brand of pasta, and your individual oven. Glass or ceramic baking dishes will take longer than metal pans, for instance. To know when your casserole is done, taste a bite of the pasta. The noodles should be al dente and the sauce should be thicker.
  • Be careful not to overbake the casserole or the pasta will become mushy.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or sliced green onion for a bright, colorful finishing touch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8 of the recipe | Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 1199mg | Potassium: 467mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 249mg | Iron: 3mg