Description
Cincinnati chili offers a unique Midwestern twist on classic comfort food, blending Mediterranean spices with hearty ground beef. Served over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar, this regional specialty delivers a flavor-packed experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, warmed
- 1 lb (450 g) cooked spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 tbsps chili powder
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup water (if needed for thinning)
- Oyster crackers
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large pot, sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant and softened. Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked and crumbled.
- Flavor Development: Incorporate beef broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, aromatic spices, brown sugar, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered. Gently stir occasionally, letting the chili reduce and intensify in flavor for approximately 1-1.5 hours until achieving desired thickness.
- Pasta Foundation: While chili simmers, prepare spaghetti according to package guidelines. Drain and set aside, ready to create traditional Cincinnati layering.
- Signature Serving Styles: Create classic Cincinnati chili experience through progressive layering techniques:
1-Way: Pure chili in bowl
2-Way: Chili cascading over spaghetti
3-Way: Chili, spaghetti, crowned with shredded cheddar cheese
4-Way: Previous layers enhanced with diced onions or kidney beans
5-Way: Ultimate presentation featuring chili, spaghetti, cheese, onions, and beans
- Final Presentation: Garnish with oyster crackers if desired. Serve immediately, allowing diners to experience the complex, multi-dimensional flavor profile of authentic Cincinnati chili.
Notes
- Brown ground beef on medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust spice blend cautiously, as Cincinnati chili is known for its unique sweet-savory-warm flavor profile with hints of cinnamon and chocolate.
- Low and slow cooking helps develop deeper flavors and tenderizes meat, so resist rushing the 1-1.5 hour simmering process.
- For gluten-free version, use gluten-free spaghetti or replace pasta with zucchini noodles; for vegetarian option, substitute beef with plant-based ground meat or lentils.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg