This is an exercise in following your craving. Actually, this is more of an exercise in dragging you along into following my craving. (Sorry?)
I do a really good job of eating spinach and quinoa and omega-this and superfood-that. Essentially, I do a really good job of not eating chili cheese dogs as often as I want to eat chili cheese dogs.
So here we are, and it’s really delicious.
Also… while we’re chili-cheesing things, may I humbly present these Baked Chili Cheese Fries. They aren’t chili topped, rather chili flavored… which is pretty dang exciting if you asked me (and I’m pretty sure you asked me).
Let’s do this. There’s no turning back now. Well there is, but would you really want to?
Chopped onions are sautéed with ground beef and garlic. It’s the start of many good things.
To chili-make we add tomato sauce, honey for sweetness, and lots of earthy and spicy spices (technical term) to make chili taste like chili. Sweet paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, cayenne for spice, and salt and pepper.
Things are feeling right. Very right.
Time for assembly!
I boiled the hot dogs in simmering water until warmed through and bought the softest hot dog buns I could get my hands on. Cheddar cheese is required in generous proportions as are chopped onions.
Your instincts will show you the way. Hot dog, meet bun.
Warm chili, meet hot dog.
Cheese and onion, like… lots!
If you’re the kind of person who can eat a chili dog without Fritos then… well, I salute you… but I don’t trust you.
We’ll need some salty crunch to go with our delicious madness.
And of course chili and cheese and onions go on top of the chips. I’m not a Neanderthal (anymore).
Print
Chili Cheese Dogs
- Prep Time: 30
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chili
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large white onion, chopped and 1/2 cup reserved for topping
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 16 ounce can of tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- about 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- about 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- about 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
To Assemble the Dogs
- 8 all-beef hot dogs
- 8 soft hot dog buns
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion, reserved from above
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion. Stir and cook until onions are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and garlic and use a wooden spoon to break the ground bed up as it cooks. Stir and sauté until the beef is cooked through, about 8 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, honey, and spices. Stir and bring to a simmer. Taste and season with more salt and spice as desired. Allow to simmer down to your desired thickness.
- To assemble the chili dogs, boil hot dogs in simmer water until warmed through. Place into soft hot dog buns. Top with a heaping spoonful of warm chili, top with lots of shredded cheese and chopped onions.
- Serve with fritos, pickles, and root beer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
24 Responses
I made the chili from this for dinner tonight and it was goooood (added some beans to make it a bit more dinner-like … but nothing else because I don’t like too much vegetable-faffing in my chili). Thanks Joy! Your recipes always work great for me :) I like that this chili is simple and doesn’t have to cook for hours but still has a lot of flavour.
Fritos! Is that what those corn chips are called? I had some once as a child, and fell deeply, deeply in love. Haven’t seen them since, as I live in Australia.
Are you KIDDING me?! These look amazing. Everything I “love about football season” in one meal.
thepastiche.squarespace.com
My favorite are New York Style! These look delicious.
I love hotdog, but I’ve never eaten in this issue, I have to try today ;)!
I love your blog but the pop up ads are driving me crazy!
Gorgeous recipe and photographs. Looks like the perfect comfort food! I love eating hot dogs in general so this looks amazing! :-) xx
Helen | Helens Fashion & Beauty Blog
Your craving is my craving (like all the time!) I’ve never made my own chili dog before. Such a shame. These look fantastic!
What a good idea to make these at home rather than trusting what goes into them other places…
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering! Your cravings are incredibly contagious! I need these in my life…
Looks fantastic! Love your recipes!
I didn’t know how much I needed a chili cheese dog in my life (and in my hand) until right now. Cannot get this made fast enough!
This chili looks divine!! Gorgeous photos, making my mouth water!
Ohhh my gosh. Totally told myself I would have salad for dinner. Nevermind.
Oh man Joy! This is bringing me back to my childhood, when we’d stop at Dairy Queen and get chili cheese dogs and ice cream! YUM!
If I am to be dragged into someone else’s food craving, these chili cheese dogs will do it. Yum.
I am drooling over your pictures while drinking my morning coffee. About once a month I have to have a fast go to dinner and chili cheese dogs can’t get any faster. Next time you make yours, after you’ve assembled them pop into the oven at 350 until the cheese is completely melted. ( We also use more cheese than shown in picture) Your bun will still be soft, but the top will be a tad crunchy. I have never served them that we didn’t make converts out of those that had never baked them before. I am anxious to try your chili recipe. I too think fritos are a must.
YES! I’m all for earning your junk food.
Not that that’s a practice I live by or anything but I try.
Oh man, these are making me feel all sorts of things on a rainy Tuesday morning. The sweet and spicy combo?? Yes, please. There is a good chance these will be on my dinner table tonight. Love it, Joy!
This recipe looks so delicious. I love the idea of adding honey to the chili !! Pinning this? For Sure !!!
These look so good! Love straight chili. I try to stay away from them too but a couple of times a year can’t resist the drive thru of a nearby chain. Simple recipe…can make myself now and the softest buns a must!Makes me miss my 3 month old nephew hehe! Thanks. Joy!
I read a lot of vegan blogs….and do love their recipes. But thank you today for this meaty fun food! This recipe just makes me feel like a kid again. Blame it on your chili dogs, why I can’t be vegan =) My kids are going to LOVE these.
This is all I want for breakfast now hahaha these look beyond delicious! Cannot wait to try them out! :)
I’m all for following your craving with you Joy, especially when that craving leads to something as beautiful as one of these chili dogs! Yummmmmm!