An Absurd Chili Dog Casserole

One of the nice things about made up National Days is that they seem to roll around, year after year. We get to have a bit of fun, or talk about a serious subject. Today is National Absurdity Day. Just take a look at that casserole – it’s really absurd, don’t you think? I mean, what’s going on with that piece of foil snaked through the dish?

This is a Chili Cheese Dog Casserole – sort of. As you can see, one-third of the casserole is missing the cheese. I’ve shared this before, Hubby is not a fan of cheese. Although that’s not quite right either. He will order double cheese on a pizza. He likes a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. But wants no part of a cheese burger. I guess you could say he’s cheese selective. While ordering cheese on a pizza, it has to be the traditional Mozzarella Cheese and not my personal favorite, Feta Cheese. American Cheese on that ham sandwich, not Swiss. No cheese on a taco, but plenty of cheese on Nachos. It drive me crazy. Any time I’m adding cheese to something, I need to ask “Cheese on yours?” since there are no clear cut rules.

Since the Chili cheese Dog Casserole was going to be baked in the oven, I didn’t want the cheese melting all over his side of the casserole. Hence the barrier of foil. Absurd, I know, but also funny. When I was making this casserole for dinner, another thing I found absurd was that the hot dogs were baked inside their buns. I thought with all that chili and cheese, those buns are going to get soggy. I was wrong. They actually toasted up nicely. The whole thing was delicious – for everyone.

So Happy Absurdity Day! Embrace the crazy side of life, and have fun while you’re at it.

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
8 Hot Dog Buns
8 All-Beef Hot Dogs
2 cans Dennisons Hot Chili or favorite brand
2 cups shredded Smoked Gouda Cheese
1/4 White Onion
Handful Nacho Jalapeno Peppers
2 tablespoons Butter
1-1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Lightly grease a large casserole baking dish with butter, set aside.

Open hot dog buns, arrange buns inside the casserole dish, open side up. Nestle a hot dog into each bun. Spoon chili over all the hot dogs.

Shred cheese, scatter over the chili as desired. Dice onion, scatter over the entire casserole. Scatter Jalapenos around the onions.

Melt butter, whisk in the garlic powder. Drizzle the flavored butter over the entire casserole.

Place casserole in the heated oven, bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese had melted, the chili is bubbling and the hot dogs are heated through.

Remove from oven, let cool slightly before serving. Best to eat with a knife and fork.

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Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands