Description
Cincinnati chili blends Mediterranean spices with Midwestern comfort, creating a unique pasta-topped dish that defies culinary boundaries. Hearty meat sauce layered over spaghetti offers a rich, unexpected flavor journey you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (450 g) cooked spaghetti
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, warmed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
Liquid and Vegetable Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water (if needed for thinning)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Oyster crackers
Instructions
- Heat a spacious pot or Dutch oven and thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium temperature, ensuring complete meat separation and caramelization.
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Incorporate beef broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tangy vinegar, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce, an array of complex spices, subtle brown sugar, and a solitary bay leaf into the meat mixture.
- Vigorously stir the ingredients to create a harmonious blend, then elevate the temperature until the liquid reaches a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the chili to develop deep, intricate flavors. Leave the pot uncovered and periodically stir, permitting liquid reduction and thickness development for approximately 60-90 minutes.
- While the chili transforms, prepare spaghetti according to package guidelines, ensuring al dente texture. Drain and reserve.
- Construct your preferred Cincinnati chili experience: from basic chili in a bowl to the classic 5-way presentation featuring chili, spaghetti, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, and kidney beans.
- Enhance the dish with a sprinkle of oyster crackers for added crunch and textural contrast.
- Serve immediately, inviting diners to explore the layered, intricate flavor profile of this iconic Midwestern culinary creation.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a cleaner, more concentrated chili flavor.
- Consider using ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, healthier protein option that maintains the recipe’s classic taste profile.
- Experiment with spice levels by adjusting chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon to create a personalized heat and depth that suits individual preferences.
- Allow the chili to simmer longer for more intense flavors, ensuring the liquid reduces and creates a rich, thick consistency that clings perfectly to spaghetti.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg