Beanie Weenie Casserole

Beanie Weenie Casserole transforms the timeless classic comfort food into a hearty casserole. Tender hot dogs mixed with smoky beans and topped with a crispy tater tot topping makes for a budget friendly dish the whole family will love.

If you think something called a “beanie weenie” is something a fourth grader taunts one of his classmates with, well, that might true too, but in this case beanie weenie refers to a can of baked beans with sliced hot dogs in it.

The term “beanie weenie” is simply the trademarked name Van Camps uses for its particular brand. So, if you can’t find Beanie Weenies on the shelf at your local grocer, then a can of baked beans with hot dogs works too.

Or even getting hot dogs and baked beans in separate packaging puts it into play as well.

Beanie Weenie Casserole

Hot dogs and baked beans do play nicely together too. Many of us probably have fond memories of school lunches that included beans and hot dogs. Or those 4th of July picnics where the beans and hot dogs just naturally gravitated toward each other on the paper plates.

A beans and hot dogs casserole brings all those childhood memories flooding back in the best way possible. (You might find yourself thinking “why was I such a beanie weenie not to make this sooner!”).

But don’t sweat it, this is a great meal you can serve as a side dish or a main course and sure to become a family favorite dinner recipe.

If you love tater tots, check out my Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole!

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Ingredients

• Hot dogs – Use any brand or flavor!
• Baked beans – I like the smoky Grillin’ beans but use your favorite. You can also use pork and beans.
• Tater tots – Regular frozen tots will do here.
• Cheddar cheese – A sharp cheddar is great but use your favorite.
• Mustard – Good old fashioned yellow mustard works best.
• Barbecue sauce – Use your favorite!

How to make Beanie Weenie Casserole

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the hot dogs for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Remove and set aside. Slice into 1/2 inch pieces.
2. Add the onions to the skillet and cook 2-3 minutes or until they start to soften.

3. Preheat oven to 425F. Pour the baked beans, bbq sauce, and yellow mustard into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Stir to combine the ingredients.
4. Sprinkle in the bite sized pieces of hot dogs and cooked onions. Stir to combine with the beans.

5. Top with tater tots. Sprinkle it with the shredded cheese.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

What is a Beanie Weenie?

As a canned food, the baked bean and hot dog combination goes way back to the Civil War when it was used as a ration. Van Camps didn’t necessarily invent franks and beans, but they sure made it popular.

With a catchy name like “Beanie Weenie” that is no small surprise. Baked beans and hot dogs just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

What side dishes go with Beanie Weenies?

If you are serving beanie weenie casserole as a main course, then you might need some ideas for sides. In this case, I recommend side dishes on the lighter side, since the casserole itself is quite filling.

• Salad – A nice chopped green salad is great, or even a summer fruit salad works too. Cauliflower salad is also an option.
• Vegetables – Roast or boiled veggies also work nicely, like roast carrots for example. Can never get enough veggies!
• Soup – A cup of soup works too, like a cup of tomato basil soup.

Best Casserole Tips

• If you don’t happen to have tater tots you can use shredded potatoes like you would use to make hash brown potatoes with.
• If you want to use a different type of sausage than a hot dog then go for it. A spicy dog is even better. Balance it out with a sprinkle of brown sugar in the mix.
• You can do a veggie version of this by using veggie dogs and baked beans. For going fully vegan you would need to use your favorite vegan cheese too.

• Check your cheese topping to make sure it is melted and a little browned but don’t let it burn!
• Let it cool briefly before bringing it to serve if you plan on serving from the casserole dish at the table.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, pin this to your favorite casserole Pinterest board and share it on your favorite social media channels!

A Beanie Weenie Casserole is super easy to make, budget friendly, and never fails to please. Save yourself some time, change those hungry looks into smiling faces quickly, and enjoy this classic casserole dish for dinner tonight!

Craving More Casseroles?

• Hot Dish vs Casserole
• Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
• Cornbread Cowboy Casserole
• How to Reheat Green Bean Casserole
• Can You Make Green Bean Casserole with Cream of Chicken Soup?

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