Game day food is a category of its own for me. I love thinking up delicious recipes to eat while we watch football all weekend long in the fall. Nothing says game day more than a chili cheese dog. Normally, I get really grossed out by chili cheese dogs, if I am being honest. BUT then I recreated it to have all whole ingredients and I am in love. These Paleo Chili “Cheese” Dogs are delicious, nourishing, and surprisingly easy.
The only reason I really get grossed out by chili cheese dogs is because I never know what is in hot dogs, or nacho cheese and all I can think of is the chili meat came from a can. I ate my fair share of canned chili in college on chili Tuesdays in the dorms. I can’t bring myself to do it anymore!
This recreated fan-favorite is so easy to make! All you need is some of your favorite hot dog or sausage (I like Amylu from Costco), some ground meat, and a sweet potato bun! The rest you likely have on hand! It is a super easy meal that comes together quickly so you can get to watching your favorite team. Go Steelers!
Tips for Paleo Chili “Cheese” Dogs
- You can always serve this with a bun, but to keep it gluten-free it is delicious inside a sweet potato. Everything goes good with a sweet potato.
- I like using ground turkey, but you can use whatever ground meat you have on hand.
- Core and Rind is my favorite non-dairy cheese sauce, but pick your favorite! If dairy works for you feel free to use that, too. No judgment here.
If you like this recipe check out these two-ingredient Spicy Cashew Butter Wings to make for another game day.
Paleo Chili “Cheese” Dogs
Ingredients
- 4 Spicy sausages I like Amylu
- 4 Sweet Potatoes
- 1 pound Ground turkey I like Greensbury Market
- 1 jar Core and Rind Bold and Spicy cheese sauce
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 cup Fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne optional
- 1/4 White onion diced for garnish
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a pan to medium heat and begin to brown the ground turkey. Cook this until it is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- While the ground turkey is cooking, heat another pan to medium heat and brown the sausage and/or hot dogs. This cooking time will vary since some are pre-cooked and some aren't. The ones I use are pre-cooked and take about 8 minutes to heat up and get slightly charred.
- Wash and score the sweet potatoes. I microwave mine to cook quickly, but cook yours how you like best. To microwave, score them and wrap them in a moist paper towel. Cook on high for about 5 minutes then flip and add another 2 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
- When the turkey meat is browned, add tomato paste, fire roasted tomatoes and seasonings. Let this simmer for about five minutes or until the sauce has thickened. *NOTE: if you or your family doesn't like chunky chili, feel free to blitz the fire roasted tomatoes in the blender for a few seconds first.
- To serve, slice the potatoes in half, add the sausage, then pour chili on top. Top with cheese sauce, cilantro, and white onions. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can always serve this with a bun, but to keep it gluten-free it is delicious inside a sweet potato. Everything goes good with a sweet potato.
- I like using ground turkey, but you can use whatever ground meat you have on hand.
- Core and Rind is my favorite non-dairy cheese sauce, but pick your favorite! If dairy works for you feel free to use that, too. No judgement here.
