I am always looking for ways to repurpose our leftovers. Yes, I can eat plain chili multiple meals in a row, but its more fun when its just a bit different each time.
A chili cheese dog is a pretty straight forward use of leftover chili. Find my Classic Beef Chili here. Now, we aren’t doing anything groundbreaking here. But, I do think it is important to properly make your chili cheese dog. These should be a treat made with leftover homemade chili. Not something you throw together quickly with canned chili or *gasp* an non-toasted bun.
Enjoy!
Chili Cheese Dog
A classic use of leftovers, personally made with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Chili Dogs
- Leftover Chili Such as my Classic Beef Chili
- Kraft American Cheese Slices 2 per dog
- Hot Dogs Your favorite
- Top Sliced Hot Dog or Hoagie Buns*
- Butter
Toppings
- Shredded Cheese *Used here
- Giardiniera *Used here
- Sour Cream *Used here
- Jalapeños
- Diced Onions
- Corn Chips
- Whatever you like!
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400
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While your oven is preheating cook your hot dogs however you like boil, grill, microwave…doesn't matter. Since it's winter I boiled mine until heated through- about 10 min.
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Spread tops of the buns with butter, and toast the buns in the oven until the butter melts and your exterior is firm; about 4 minutes. Since the buns are closed the inside will still be soft, but the outside will be able to hold up to the chili without falling apart.
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Microwave enough of your leftover chili for however many dogs you are cooking until it's hot. Set aside.
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Right when you take the buns out of the oven place two slices of American cheese in the slice, followed by the hot dogs, then using a slotted spoon add the chili.
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Now have fun and top however you like or with whatever you have on hand. I went classic with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. My husband chose hot giardiniera. See above for other ideas.
Recipe Notes
- Use hot dog buns if you have small to regular sized hot dogs.
- If you have a jumbo, or some kind of fancier hot dog that is bigger than average, go for the hoagie bun. The important take away is that whatever you go with, its top-sliced down the middle.
