Cheesy Corn Dog Nacho Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food fusion with our Cheesy Corn Dog Nacho Bake! This creative dish transforms the beloved corn dog into a fun and flavorful nacho experience. Miniature corn dogs are nestled under a gooey layer of melted Mexican cheese and topped with savory Italian sausage, fresh pico de gallo, zesty jalapeños, and a dollop of creamy sour cream. Perfect for game day gatherings or a festive family dinner, this delicious bake is sure to please everyone at the table and satisfy your cravings for something indulgent and exciting.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Flour
2 tablespoons (all-purpose)
Milk
2 cups (whole or 2%)
Mexican Blend Cheese
1 lb (shredded, divided)
Chili Powder
2 teaspoons (for seasoning)
Granulated Garlic
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Mini Corn Dogs
32 ounces (frozen)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
Italian Sausage
1 lb (removed from casing)
Pico de Gallo
1 cup (fresh)
Jalapeño
1 (sliced into thin rounds)
Sour Cream
1 cup (for topping)
Cilantro Leaves
1/2 cup (fresh, for garnish)
Kosher Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Ground Black Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the flour to create a roux and cook for about 1 minute until golden.
3
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
4
Remove from heat and stir in 8 ounces of the shredded Mexican cheese until melted and smooth. Season with chili powder, granulated garlic, salt, and black pepper. Set aside to keep warm.
5
On a baking sheet, spread the frozen mini corn dogs in an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
6
While the corn dogs are baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
7
Once the corn dogs are done baking, remove them from the oven and top with 4 ounces of shredded cheese and a generous layer of the cooked sausage. Sprinkle another 4 ounces of shredded cheese on top.
8
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9
Once baked, remove from the oven and top with fresh pico de gallo, sliced jalapeños, dollops of sour cream, and cilantro leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cheesy Corn Dog Nacho Bake?
It is a comfort food fusion dish that combines miniature corn dogs with nacho toppings like melted Mexican cheese, Italian sausage, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How long do the mini corn dogs bake initially?
The mini corn dogs should bake for 15-18 minutes initially, flipping halfway through.
What ingredients are needed for the homemade cheese sauce?
The cheese sauce requires unsalted butter, flour, milk, shredded Mexican blend cheese, chili powder, granulated garlic, salt, and black pepper.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for one pound of shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided for the sauce and the topping.
How do you prepare the Italian sausage?
Remove the sausage from its casing and cook it in a skillet with olive oil until browned and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.
Should I drain the fat from the sausage?
Yes, the instructions recommend draining any excess fat after cooking the Italian sausage.
How is the roux for the cheese sauce made?
Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until golden.
How do I thicken the cheese sauce?
Gradually whisk in the milk and bring it to a gentle simmer for 3-4 minutes while stirring frequently.
What seasonings are added to the cheese sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with chili powder, granulated garlic, salt, and black pepper.
How much cheese goes into the sauce?
Use 8 ounces of the shredded Mexican cheese to stir into the roux and milk mixture.
What size package of mini corn dogs is needed?
The recipe requires 32 ounces of frozen mini corn dogs.
How do I assemble the nachos?
Once the corn dogs are baked, top them with 4 ounces of cheese, the cooked sausage, and another 4 ounces of cheese.
What is the final baking time once toppings are added?
Bake the assembled dish for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What fresh toppings are added after baking?
Top the bake with fresh pico de gallo, sliced jalapeños, dollops of sour cream, and cilantro leaves.
Can I use whole milk for the sauce?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 2 cups of either whole or 2% milk.
Is this recipe considered an appetizer?
Yes, it is tagged as an appetizer and is perfect for game day gatherings or festive family dinners.
How much pico de gallo is used?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh pico de gallo.
What type of oil is used to cook the sausage?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used for cooking the sausage.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients listed in total.
What is used to garnish the dish?
Fresh cilantro leaves are used as a garnish.
Can I use regular garlic?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic for seasoning the sauce.
How do I slice the jalapeños?
The jalapeño should be sliced into thin rounds.
How much sour cream is recommended?
One cup of sour cream is used for topping the dish.
Is this dish spicy?
It includes mild heat from chili powder and fresh jalapeños, but the spice level can be adjusted by the user.
Can I use different types of sausage?
While the recipe calls for Italian sausage, you could experiment with other types, though the flavor profile may change.
What kind of salt should I use?
The recipe recommends using Kosher salt to taste.
How much butter is needed?
Two tablespoons of unsalted butter are used to start the cheese sauce roux.
What is the texture of the finished cheese sauce?
The sauce should be smooth and thickened after whisking in the milk and melting the cheese.
Should this dish be served hot?
Yes, the instructions recommend serving immediately after adding the final fresh toppings for the best experience.