Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but I have had a craving for Cincinnati chili since I was pregnant… which means SIXTEEN years ago! I had a bad habit of watching the Food Network channel when I was pregnant… because, you know, I loved torturing myself with unattainable cravings! Obviously, one such feature was Cincinnati chili, which has left me craving it every since.
So, sixteen years and I’ve never filled that craving. Crazy, right? I mean, I have had every opportunity to make Cincinnati chili, but I just kept putting it off. I don’t know why. I really can’t explain it. But the idea of chili piled on top of spaghetti and smothered in cheddar cheese? I think I’m still craving it and I finally had it!
I’m not going to get into the history of Cincinnati chili and blah blah blah. There are plenty of other blogs out there that delve into that detail. I’m not from Cincinnati. I’m not from Ohio! So I don’t feel a kinship to the history behind it… sorry Ohioans! But, it’s like my husband attempting to relate to anything Chicago or Midwestern! He just doesn’t get it. I mean, he just referred to the Ozarks being in Alabama or Mississippi, so you know, not there.
What I will say is that Cincinnati chili is a “strange” take on what you may think of as “traditional” chili. It’s not cooked with peppers or beans… although some people do top the dish with beans. Not sure why they don’t just add that to the sauce 🤷🏻♀️. Some people also top theirs with raw onions. I stuck to my craving and only topped it with cheddar cheese.
BUT, what do I mean by strange??? It has some sweeter spices add to the mix as well as smidge of chocolate. None of those seasonings are overpowering in flavor, but they all come together to give a slight sweetness to the spicy and savory components in the chili.
For me, I love chili over rice. But, I’m also a HUGE pasta person, so scooping chili over spaghetti was not such a far-fetched idea. And let me repeat, I’m still craving this! Honestly, and I cannot believe I am admitting this, but I think I like this more than my spaghetti sauce 🤭🤫. It really is just that good!
Let this sit and simmer for a good long time to really meld the flavors together. And feel free to throw it all in a slow cooker to have an easy dinner ready for you when you get home!
What are your thoughts on Cincinnati chili??
Enjoy!
Super Easy Cincinnati Chili
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: American, Chili, Sunday Dinner
Ingredients
2 lbs 90% lean ground beef
1 TBs olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 TBs chili powder
1 TB ground cumin
2 tsps brown sugar
2 tsps dried oregano
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 – 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 – 6 oz can tomato paste
2 TBs apple cider vinegar
1 TB Worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper
To Serve
spaghetti
shredded cheddar
chopped onion
kidney beans
Instructions
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and lightly season with salt. Cook until just starting to turn translucent ~ about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant ~ about 30 seconds. Add the ground beef and cook until mostly browned through, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat up as it cooks.
Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, oregano, cinnamon, cocoa powder, allspice, and cloves over the meat. Stir to thoroughly combine. Add the tomato paste and stir to break down the paste and combine it with the meat. Then add the tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low.
Simmer on low for an hour and a half to let the flavors meld, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve over spaghetti with your desired accoutrements. Enjoy!
Notes
SLOW COOKER: this can easily be made in the slow cooker. Sauté the onions and garlic as described. Cook the beef until broken up and just browned. Then place everything in the slow cooker, stir, and let it do its thing for 4 to 8 hours!
NOTE: estimated calories only include the sauce and spaghetti
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