Cincinnati Chili

If you haven’t yet heard the legend of Cincinnati Chili, let me be the one to change that for you. Unlike your traditional chili, this one’s a wild ride with unexpected spices, served not in a bowl, but over spaghetti. Sounds like a first-date disaster that turns into a long-term love affair, doesn’t it? What makes it special is its unique sweetness and warmth, turning any chilly evening into a cozy gathering. Trust me, it’s a must-try for when you’re feeling adventurous or just need to shake up your dinner routine.

In my house, this chili is a life-saver on nights when everyone’s more focused on watching the hockey game or trying to keep up with another episode of that ever-bingeable series. My husband? He didn’t believe chili could be served over pasta until he tried it, and now, it’s his favorite form of carb-loading before a run. It’s become one of those comfort meals that has pushed its way into our unruly menagerie of weekday staples, shared on hurried weeknights or lazy afternoons.

How to Make It

Alright, so grab your biggest chili pot because we’re going big. You start with browning some ground beef, adding onions that’ll make your eyes water but it’s worth it. Dump in spices like cinnamon and cocoa powder — weird, but like, trust the process. Let it all simmer until the whole house smells like a carnival of savory-sweet goodness. And don’t rush it; let time do its magic here.

✔Ingredient Notes

– Ground Beef: It’s the meaty backbone but swap for turkey if that’s more your jam.
– Cinnamon: Yes, the same one in your French toast. Gives a surprising sweet warmth.
– Cocoa Powder: Not joking — adds depth. Remember when I accidentally used hot chocolate mix; that was a day.

✔Recipe Steps

1. Brown ground beef and onions in a large pot.
2. Stir in minced garlic, tomatoes, water, and kidney beans.
3. Sprinkle all the spices like it’s fairy dust.
4. Toss in cocoa powder, and don’t freak out.
5. Simmer until it smells like happiness, about an hour.
6. Serve over spaghetti, shower with cheese and onions if you’re feeling fancy.

What to Serve It With

✔Tips & Mistakes

Let’s be real, just don’t use the hot chocolate mix instead of cocoa — it happened once. Don’t recommend.

✔Storage Tips

This chili gets even better the next day; it’s like a good friendship — it deepens with time. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cold? Yeah, people do that, especially at midnight.

✔Variations and Substitutions

If you’re out of cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice can sort of slide in. Out of beef? Ground turkey has your back. Experiment with pasta types if you’re out of spaghetti.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati Chili

This hearty Cincinnati Chili is a unique blend of spices and ground beef served over spaghetti with shredded cheddar cheese.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 2 lb ground beef
• ▢ 1 cup water
• ▢ 1.5 tbsp chili powder
• ▢ 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ▢ 0.5 tsp cumin
• ▢ 0.5 tsp allspice
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1 cup tomato sauce
• ▢ 1 tsp vinegar preferably apple cider
• ▢ 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional for heat
• ▢ 12 oz spaghetti
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked, then drain excess fat.
• Add water, chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, and minced garlic to the pot and stir well.
• Pour in the tomato sauce and vinegar, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat and cover.
• Simmer the chili for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and plate.
• Serve the chili over spaghetti and top generously with shredded cheddar cheese.

Notes

For an authentic experience, serve with oyster crackers and diced onions on the side.