Description
Chili Cheese Dogs are the ultimate comfort food, combining juicy hot dogs with a rich, flavorful chili and melted cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend barbecue, these chili cheese dogs are a crowd-pleasing meal that’s both satisfying and indulgent. The combination of savory chili and gooey cheese over a perfectly grilled hot dog creates a deliciously irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chili:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Hot Dogs:
- 4 beef or pork hot dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
For Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chili:
- In a large saucepan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the chili beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Bring the chili to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Cook the Hot Dogs:
- While the chili simmers, cook the hot dogs. You can grill, boil, or pan-fry them according to your preference.
- Toast the buns lightly if desired.
- Assemble the Chili Cheese Dogs:
- Place each hot dog into a bun and top with a generous scoop of chili.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chili.
- Add any optional toppings, such as green onions or sour cream, for extra flavor.
- Serve:
- Serve the chili cheese dogs hot with your favorite side dishes like fries or a simple salad.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add jalapeños to the chili or top the dogs with pickled jalapeños.
- You can substitute the ground beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chili cheese dog
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg