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Chili Cheese Dogs

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These chili cheese dogs are a crowd-pleaser, featuring rich chili, gooey cheese, and customizable toppings for game day or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chili
  • 1 lb ground beef for homemade chili, or use 2 cups of prepared chili
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp Oil for sautéing
For the Chili Cheese Dogs
  • 8 pieces hot dog buns brioche or potato buns hold up best
  • 8 pieces hot dogs beef, pork, turkey, or plant-based
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese plus extra for melting
Optional Toppings
  • Diced onions, pickled jalapeños, mustard, ketchup, chopped cilantro, crushed tortilla chips

Method
 

Make the Chili
  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, 3–4 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and ground beef. Break up the meat and brown until no longer pink.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat Hot Dogs
  1. Grill, pan-sear, or simmer hot dogs until heated through and lightly browned (pan or grill yields better texture than boiling).
  2. If using sausage-style dogs, ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for beef/pork or 165°F for poultry.
Toast Buns
  1. Lightly butter the cut sides of buns and toast in a skillet or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden.
Melt Cheese
  1. Place hot dog in bun, spoon 1/4–1/3 cup chili over the dog, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  2. Place under a broiler for 30–60 seconds to melt, or cover the skillet with a lid for a minute.
Add Toppings and Serve
  1. Top with your choice of optional toppings and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

For a lighter option, use ground turkey or plant-based crumble and substitute the cheese with vegan shreds. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Chili often tastes better the next day after flavors meld.
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