Are you on the hunt for a new weeknight dinner that is unbelievably easy to make, packed with classic, kid-friendly flavor, and so much fun to eat? This amazing, retro-style Hot Dog Pie is your new go-to! It’s a delicious and hearty mash-up of a savory pie, beanie weenies, and a classic cheeseburger, all baked into one incredible and comforting dish. The fun, cheesy lattice top is the absolute best part and is guaranteed to have the kids running to the dinner table.
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to your new family-favorite dinner. We’ll show you how to use a few smart shortcuts, like a frozen pie crust and canned baked beans, to create a stunning, from-scratch-tasting meal in under an hour. This is the kind of satisfying, one-dish wonder that will solve all your “what’s for dinner?” dilemmas in the most delicious way.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Dinner
What makes this Hot Dog Pie so spectacularly delicious and easy is its brilliant combination of beloved comfort foods and its incredibly simple preparation. The “crust” is a convenient, store-bought frozen deep-dish pie crust, which we par-bake to ensure it stays wonderfully flaky and never gets soggy. The filling is a rich and savory, sweet and tangy mixture of browned ground beef, sliced hot dogs, and classic baked beans, all brought together in a simple sauce with melted Velveeta for extra creaminess. The entire dish is crowned with a fun and easy American cheese lattice that bakes up to be perfectly gooey and golden.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 6-8 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Fun Casserole
This recipe uses a handful of smart shortcuts and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Shortcut Stars:
- Frozen Deep-Dish Pie Crust: This is the ultimate time-saver! A 9-inch, store-bought frozen pie crust provides the perfect, flaky, and buttery base for our savory pie with zero effort.
- Canned Baked Beans: A can of your favorite brand of baked beans adds a wonderful, sweet, savory, and saucy element to the filling.
- The “Beanie Weenie” Filling:
- Ground Beef & Hot Dogs: A classic, kid-approved, and hearty combination! Savory, browned ground beef and sliced, all-beef hot dogs make this pie incredibly satisfying.
- The Easy Sauce: A simple but perfect sauce made from pantry staples: classic ketchup, sweet brown sugar, and tangy prepared mustard. A few cubes of Velveeta are the secret to an extra-creamy and cheesy filling that never separates.
- The Fun Topping: Four slices of classic American cheese are cut into strips to create a beautiful, decorative, and perfectly melty lattice topping.
Step-by-Step to the Best Hot Dog Pie
This delicious, one-dish meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Par-Bake the Crust (The Secret to No Soggy Bottoms!)
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Prick the bottom and sides of your 9-inch frozen deep-dish pie crust all over with a fork.
Step 3: Bake the empty crust for 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: This “par-baking” or “blind-baking” step is the number one, non-negotiable secret to a perfectly crisp, flaky pie crust that will never get soggy, even with a wet filling like this one!
Part 2: Make the “Beanie Weenie” Filling
Step 1: While the crust is par-baking, in a large saucepan or skillet, cook the 1/2 pound of ground beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Add the 4 sliced hot dogs, the 1 can of baked beans, the 1/2 cup of ketchup, the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, the 2 tablespoons of prepared mustard, and the 2 ounces of cubed Velveeta to the saucepan.
Step 3: Cook and stir the mixture until the cheese has completely melted and the filling is heated through.
Part 3: Assemble the Pie and Bake
Step 1: Pour the hot beef and bean mixture into your par-baked pie crust.
Step 2: Now for the fun part! Cut each of your 4 slices of American cheese into four even strips. Arrange the cheese strips over the top of the pie in a decorative lattice pattern.
Step 3: Bake the pie, uncovered, for 10 to 15 more minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Let the Hot Dog Pie cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
The Easiest Cheesy Hot Dog Pie (Kid-Friendly Recipe!)
An easy, kid-friendly casserole that combines the flavors of a chili dog into a simple ‘Hot Dog Pie’. This dish features a savory filling of cooked ground beef, sliced hot dogs, and canned baked beans, all brought together in a sweet and tangy sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Velveeta cheese. The hearty mixture is poured into a pre-baked, frozen deep-dish pie crust and finished with a decorative lattice topping made from strips of American cheese, then baked until the cheese is melted.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 4 hot dogs, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
- 1 can (16 ounces) baked beans
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 2 ounces Velveeta, cubed
- 1 frozen deep-dish pie crust (9 inches)
- 4 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large saucepan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain off the excess grease.
- Add the sliced hot dogs, baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Velveeta cubes to the saucepan. Cook and stir until the Velveeta cheese is melted and the mixture is heated through.
- While the filling cooks, prick the bottom of the frozen pie crust with a fork. Bake the crust for 10 minutes.
- Pour the hot beef and bean mixture into the par-baked pie crust.
- Cut each slice of American cheese into four strips. Arrange the strips in a lattice pattern over the top of the pie.
- Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese lattice is melted.
- Let it stand for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- This is a very quick and easy recipe that uses several convenient, store-bought ingredients like canned baked beans, Velveeta, and a frozen pie crust.
- Par-baking the pie crust before adding the wet filling is a key step to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- The lattice topping is a fun and simple decoration made from slices of American cheese.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Hot Dog Pie is a fantastic make-ahead meal for a busy week.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the entire “beanie weenie” filling up to 3 days in advance. Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat, simply par-bake your crust, reheat the filling on the stovetop, and assemble as directed for the final bake.
- Storage: Store any leftover pie, well-covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat the pie and re-crisp the crust is in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Topping: If you’re not in the mood for a cheese lattice, this delicious filling is also incredible when topped with a layer of crispy tater tots or a classic cornbread batter (for a “tamale pie” style dish).
- Use a Different Meat: If you don’t have ground beef and hot dogs, you can substitute them with about 1 1/2 pounds of browned, crumbled breakfast sausage or even some leftover chili.
- Add a Different Bean: If you don’t have baked beans on hand, you can substitute them with one 15-ounce can of drained and rinsed pinto or black beans. You may want to add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar and a teaspoon of chili powder to the filling to mimic the flavor of the baked bean sauce.
Enjoy The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Dinner!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of fun, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This Hot Dog Pie is a testament to the power of a simple, creative idea to become an instant family favorite. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested staple for busy weeknights.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute secret to a pie crust that isn’t soggy on the bottom?
The number one secret is to par-bake (or “blind-bake”) your crust before you add the wet filling. By baking the empty pie shell for about 10 minutes, you are allowing the crust to dry out and set up, which creates a barrier that prevents the sauce from seeping in and making it soggy.
Q2: Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal! The best method is to prepare the entire filling and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to eat, you can simply par-bake your crust, reheat the filling, and then assemble the pie for its final, short bake.
Q3: Can I freeze this Hot Dog Pie?
Yes, this pie freezes surprisingly well! It is best to freeze it after it has been baked and cooled completely. Wrap the entire pie or individual slices very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it in a 350°F oven.
Q4: Can I use a homemade pie crust instead of a frozen one?
Of course! If you have a favorite recipe for a savory, flaky pie crust, it would be absolutely delicious in this recipe. Just be sure to follow the same par-baking step before you add the filling.
Q5: Can I make this with a different kind of cheese?
While the classic, melty American cheese is fantastic for the fun lattice top, you could also substitute it with a layer of your favorite shredded cheese, like a sharp cheddar or a Monterey Jack.