A Chili dog with cheese screams ballpark, game day, FUN! And these chili cheese dogs make the crowd grow wild, with a quick homemade chili con carne and gooey cheese all baked so everyone can enjoy them at the same time!
Heat a Dutch oven or large pot, over medium-high heat until hot. Add diced bacon (½ pound) and cook until crisp, about 7-8 minutes; remove with spider or slotted spoon leaving bacon drippings behind.
To the same pot, reduce heat to medium and add ground beef (1 pound) breaking into smaller pieces; add the diced onions (½ cup) and cook until beef is no longer pink and onions are soft. During last minute, stir in the minced garlic (2-4 cloves) and saute until fragrant. Drain any excess liquid.
Stir in the chili powder (1 tablespoon), smoked paprika (1 ½ tsp), cumin (1 tsp), salt (½-1 tsp) and pepper, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until spices bloom (you can smell them!). Then stir in the flour (1 TBL), until the meat is coated, about 1 minute.
Add tomato sauce (8 ounces), tomato paste (2 tablespoons), and brown sugar (2 tsp). Stir to combine, and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, or until sauce thickens. Pour ½ cup of water into the tomato sauce can, swirl around and add to thin out the chili to desired consistency.
Stir in cooked bacon and water, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes until chili is thick and rich. Remove from heat.
Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a large casserole dish.
Place hot dog buns on a large baking sheet or casserole dish if desired, line with parchment paper. Open up the buns, then place a hot dog on each hot dog bun.
Top each hot dog with chili (about ¼ - ½ cup) and a few tablespoons of shredded cheese.
Cover with foil, then bake chili cheese dogs in for 10 minutes, uncover and bake additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Garnish with reserved diced onions and serve immediately.
Notes
Chili con carne can be made up to 3-5 days in advance, cooled completely, and then stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Warm up before assembling chili cheese dogs.May also be frozen up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge and warm before making chili cheese dogs. Gluten-Free Chili Cheese Dogs | Purchase gluten-free hot dog buns (or make in a casserole dish without any buns) and replace the flour with Gluten-free all-purpose flour or omit them altogether.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
If preferred, swap the hot dog buns for crescent rolls or tortillas. Wrap the hot dog in the crescent dough or tortilla and set them in the baking dish, proceeding with the recipe as directed.
Use red onions instead of yellow or white onions
Add pickled jalapenos on top.
Chicago style Chili Cheese Dog: Top with a little yellow mustard, a dill pickle spear, sweet pickle relish and sliced tomatoes.
Make double batch of chili and serve over french fries, baked potatoes.
Turn up the heat by adding pickled jalapenos on top.
Choose healthier alternatives, like turkey bacon, ground chicken, or ground turkey.
Classic chili cheese dogs don’t have beans in the chili sauce. However, you can add beans or use whatever type of chili you prefer.
Try brats or chorizo instead of hot dogs.
More delicious toppings are sliced banana peppers, pickled onions, crumbled bacon, a dollop of sour cream, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Make it a hot chili by adding hot paprika, diced jalapenos, or red pepper flakes.