Baked Burger Dogs

Recipe View 10 mins Preparation (10 minutes): Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Lightly grease a 15x10-inch casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of melted butter or oil. This will prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

Recipe View 10 mins Combine Ingredients (10 minutes): In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red onion, pickles, and 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese. Use a fork to thoroughly mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing to keep the beef tender.

Recipe View 15 mins Shape and Stuff (15 minutes): Divide the beef mixture into 8 equal portions. With damp fingers, shape each portion into a log, roughly the length of a hot dog bun. Gently press each log onto the bottom half of a hot dog bun. Carefully press the bun closed, encasing the meat, and place the stuffed bun in the prepared baking dish, meat-side up. Repeat until all buns are stuffed.

Recipe View 25 mins Bake (25 minutes): Brush all exposed areas of the buns with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter or oil. Sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces of shredded cheese evenly over the tops of the buns. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink in the center and the buns are golden brown and crispy around the edges. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a 'Burger Dog' should register 160°F (70°C).

Recipe View 5 mins Serve (5 minutes): Remove the baked 'Burger Dogs' from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve immediately with your favorite burger and hot dog toppings and condiments. Enjoy!