Cheese Dog Chili

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 that ButcherBox was offering a special on their 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, as any mom would be, was torn over these. On one hand she knew that her kids were practically obsessed with these tiny joy-filled treats, but on the other questioned whether this was the best thing to be giving us. So she did what I have later come to do and she found a really great local butcher that made them.

Our “local butcher” is ButcherBox where I know no matter what I get from them, I’m getting super high quality meat. ButcherBox’s uncured hot dogs are made with pork raised crate free and 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef. There are no nitrates added and zero antibiotics or added hormones. I can totally get behind all of this, and I do.

ButcherBox makes my life easier in knowing that I can cook delicious meals while providing the highest quality meat for any given recipe. What I put into the mouths of my family matters and ButcherBox has been an incredible vehicle to drive that home for us.

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: When it comes to weeknight meals, I’ve got one option: 30 minutes or less recipes. Add a one-pot recipe to this equation and this pretty much sends me to Mama Heaven; I’m now in love. I’m obsessed.
• Chili Magic: Before making another chili recipe, STOP what you’re doing right now…leave this page, and get Bush’s Chili Magic, Chili Starter. We will be right here waiting for your return. Seriously, I order this stuff by the dozen on Amazon because it honestly is what it says: Chili Magic! I’ve made every kind of chili recipe under the sun and this goodness works phenomenally in any chili recipe. You essentially dump and go and let this stuff work its magic.
• Chili Cheese Dogs: I’m not sure I need to say more? If you never had a chili cheese dog, this may be your time. I love that with this recipe I can get allll the satisfaction of eating a chili cheese dog, but in every single bite; and it’s not as messy!
• Appetizer and main dish: What appetizers are you making for the Big Game?? How about your main dish?? With this recipe, let’s take the overthinking out of the game! This can be IT! Serve with chips, fresh veggies, pickles…the list can go on here. This recipe delivers on both ends.
• Few ingredients: This recipe is only made with a few ingredients, all of which can be found at the store and many of which you may already have in your pantry. You can also right all of the ingredients right here online!
• Extra Protein and Veggies: I love packing a recipe with extra protein and veggies so I can get (sneak, however you want to call it) all those nutrients into the mouths of my family. This recipe tastes like comfort, but goes down as nutritious as it is delicious. You’ve got ground beef, uncured hot dogs, beans, cherry tomatoes, celery, onion, carrots in this recipe. This is the kind of recipe you can feel good about – both nutritionally and flavor wise.

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

1. 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.
2. Add the ground beef to the pot. Break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook 5-6 minutes, until the beef is browned.
3. Add the mini hotdogs to the pot. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally
4. Add in cherry tomatoes, give a good mix; add in the spices and honey. Stir well until all ingredients are coated.
5. Pour in 1 cup beef broth or water and then the undrained Chili Magic and pasta sauce. Stir well.
6. Bring liquid to a low boil; then reduce heat to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occassionally.
7. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese. Mix well.
8. Let chili rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with additional cheddar cheese and cilantro if desired.

ENJOY!!! We sure hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our little tribe has!

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!