To make cheese dog chili, soften onion, celery and carrots in olive oil, then brown 1 lb ground beef and add ½ lb mini hot dogs (little smokies). Stir in cherry tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder and honey, then add 1 cup beef broth, a can of Chili Magic and 2 cups pasta sauce. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar. It serves 6 in about 30 minutes.
Looking for a crowd pleaser for the Big Game? Look no further. This fabulous twist on a traditional family chili recipe can serve as an appetizer or main dish. Made just like a classic chili with ground beef, beans and a homemade blend of chili seasonings. This chili is loaded with mini hotdogs “little smokies” and cheese for a touchdown of a meal! And the best part? It’s all made in one pan and ready to go in 30 minutes.
Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my mom making us chili on Sundays. It’s a classic dish that can be served for entertaining if family was coming over, yet simple enough to throw together and then have for leftovers throughout the week. My mom would make us a very classic chili with ground beef, beans and a simple homemade blend of seasonings. It wasn’t overly spicy, but always super flavorful — we always looked forward to her chili!
Over the years, I have watched my mom get pretty creative with her chili recipes. It’s now my pleasure to pass on the art of chili making so along came the creation of this cheese dog chili recipe. It really takes all of my childhood favorites and combines them into one dish.
When I saw mini hotdogs, also known and fondly loved as “little smokies,” my heart skipped a million beats. We would go crrrrrrazy for these things as kids. My mom faced a dilemma over these tiny joy-filled treats. On one hand, she knew her kids were practically obsessed with them, but on the other, she questioned whether they were the best thing to give us. So she did what I have later come to do and she found a really great local butcher that made them.
So let’s get to this recipe. I love that you can make this even on a crazy weeknight because honestly the only prep work you are doing is chopping veggies and please, simplify your life with a veggie chopper. Once I got one of these guys, my food life prep has been changed forever.
Why do we love Cheese Dog Chili?
- Quick and Easy: For weeknight meals, I swear by 30-minute or less recipes. Add in a one-pot factor, and I’m sold—it’s like Mama Heaven!
- Chili Magic: Before trying another chili recipe, get Bush’s Chili Magic, Chili Starter. I stock up on this by the dozen from Amazon because it truly is Chili Magic. It works wonders in any chili recipe; just dump and go, and let the magic happen.
- Chili Cheese Dogs: Need I say more? If you’ve never had a chili cheese dog, now’s the time. This recipe gives you all the satisfaction in every bite, minus the mess!
- Appetizer and Main Dish: What’s on your menu for the Big Game? With this recipe, make it simple and cover appetizer and main dish in one go. Serve with chips, fresh veggies, and pickles. It’s a crowd-pleaser.
- Few Ingredients: This recipe uses only a few ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry or can find easily at the store.
- Extra Protein and Veggies: I enjoy sneaking extra protein and veggies into dishes, making them both nutritious and delicious. This recipe includes ground beef, uncured hot dogs, beans, cherry tomatoes, celery, onion, and carrots. It’s comfort food you’ll be happy to serve.
Ingredients for Cheese Dog Chili
To make this easy one skillet cheese dog chili, you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online. You may already have a number of these ingredients on hand.
You can also make a number of substitutions with this recipe. For example, you can use a fresh or frozen veggie blend, omit the cheese entirely and choose just to make this recipe the classic way without the mini hot dogs. This is a very flexible recipe, it stems off a classic, which gives it extra bonus points!
Here’s what we are working with:
- ground beef
- uncured mini hotdogs
- carrot
- celery
- onion
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- roasted garlic powder
- salt
- beef broth
- cherry tomatoes
- honey
- Chili Magic, Chili Starter
- pasta sauce
- shredded cheddar cheese
How to make Cheese Dog Chili
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery and carrots. Cook about 2-3 minutes, until onion is translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook 5-6 minutes, until the beef is browned.
- Add the mini hotdogs to the pot. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Add in cherry tomatoes, give a good mix; add in the spices and honey. Stir well until all ingredients are coated.
- Pour in 1 cup beef broth or water and then the undrained Chili Magic and pasta sauce. Stir well.
- Bring liquid to a low boil; then reduce heat to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese. Mix well.
- Let chili rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with additional cheddar cheese and cilantro if desired.
how to serve cheese dog chili for game day
- Set up a chili bar: serve it in bowls with extra cheddar, sour cream, green onions, jalapeños and corn chips.
- Chili cheese dogs: spoon it over hot dogs in toasted buns.
- Keep it warm: move the finished chili to a slow cooker on the warm setting for the length of the game, and stir now and then.
how to store leftover cheese dog chili
Cool the chili and refrigerate it in an airtight container within 2 hours. Enjoy within 3 to 4 days and reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring, until hot all the way through.
ENJOY!!! We sure hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our little tribe has!
cheese dog chili FAQs
Bush’s Chili Magic Chili Starter is a can of seasoned beans made for chili. It goes in undrained and is where the beans in this recipe come from.
Yes. Use a can of your favorite chili beans, undrained, and add a little more chili powder and cumin to taste.
We use uncured mini hot dogs, also called little smokies. Regular hot dogs sliced into coins work too.
Yes. Make it a day ahead, refrigerate, and reheat on the stove or in a slow cooker. Stir in a splash of broth if it thickens.
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Savory Cheese Dog Chili (Perfect For Game Day!)
- GFGluten-Free
- LCLow Carb
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced, about 3 whole carrots
- 1 cup celery, chopped, about 3 celery stalks
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound uncured mini hotdogs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup beef broth, or 1 cup water
- 1 can Chili Magic, Chili Starter
- 2 cups pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery and carrots. Cook about 2-3 minutes, until onion is translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook 5-6 minutes, until the beef is browned.
- Add the mini hotdogs to the pot. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in cherry tomatoes, give a good mix; add in the spices and honey. Stir well until all ingredients are coated.
- Pour in 1 cup beef broth or water and then the undrained Chili Magic and pasta sauce. Stir well.
- Bring liquid to a low boil; then reduce heat to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese. Mix well.
- Let chili rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with additional cheddar cheese and cilantro if desired.
Equipment
- veggie chopper, optional
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to #thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this Cheese Dog Chili recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!
Kyle
Love the mini hot dogs in this recipe!