Description

Cincinnati Chili is a unique, flavorful meat sauce featuring a blend of spices like cinnamon and cocoa powder, simmered to perfection and traditionally served over spaghetti. This recipe offers a cozy, hearty meal perfect for family dinners, topped with cheddar cheese, onions, and optional kidney beans and hot sauce to create a classic Midwestern comfort food experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 cup water (adjust for desired consistency)
1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)

Serving Ingredients

1 lb spaghetti
Shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Chopped onions (for topping)
Kidney beans (optional, for topping)
Hot sauce (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

Cook the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary to keep the chili lean.
Add the Vegetables and Spices: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to toast and release the flavors of the spices.
Simmer the Chili: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and add the bay leaf. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add 1 cup of water to achieve desired consistency and bring the mixture to a boil.
Slow Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water if the chili becomes too thick during simmering to maintain a saucy texture.
Cook the Spaghetti: While the chili is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
Assemble and Serve: Serve a portion of spaghetti on each plate followed by a generous ladle of Cincinnati chili on top. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and kidney beans if desired. Add hot sauce for extra heat according to taste.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner version of Cincinnati chili.
Adjust the amount of water during simmering to achieve your preferred chili consistency.
For an authentic touch, try toasting the spices slightly before adding the wet ingredients to deepen the flavor.
Serving chili over spaghetti is traditional, but it can also be served over rice or baked potatoes if preferred.
Kidney beans are optional and not included in the chili itself but commonly offered as a topping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American