Cincinatti Style Chili
Experience the bold and unique flavors of Cincinnati-Style Chili, a Midwestern classic that's anything but ordinary. This hearty and savory dish features ground beef simmered to perfection in a rich, spiced sauce infused with unexpected ingredients like cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa powder, and cloves. Unlike traditional chili, this delicious recipe is served over a bed of tender spaghetti, creating a comforting and satisfying meal with a surprising twist. Topped with melty shredded cheddar cheese and optional garnishes like kidney beans, chopped onions, and crunchy oyster crackers, this chili is as versatile as it is flavorful. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a slow simmer to build its signature depth, Cincinnati-Style Chili is perfect for game nights, family dinners, or any occasion that calls for bold comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 cups water or beef broth
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 cup chopped onions, for garnish (optional)
- 1 cup oyster crackers, for serving (optional)
Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, crumble the ground beef into the pot and pour in the water or beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef into very small pieces. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
As the mixture reaches a boil, skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, and tomato sauce to the pot. Stir well to combine.
In a small bowl, mix together the cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cocoa powder, chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cayenne pepper, salt, and sugar. Add this spice mixture to the pot, stirring to incorporate.
Toss in the bay leaf, cover the pot partially with a lid, and let the chili simmer on low heat for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. During this time, the flavor will deepen and the chili will thicken slightly.
taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed by adding additional salt or cayenne pepper for heat.
While the chili is simmering, prepare the spaghetti according to the package instructions, and set aside.
To serve, spoon cooked spaghetti into individual bowls, ladle the chili over the top, and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese. Additional toppings like kidney beans, chopped onions, and oyster crackers can be added as desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
611 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.7 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.6 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 890 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.7 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.0 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.5 g | ||
| Protein | 34.7 g | 69% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 275 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 734 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
