Cincinnati Chili is loaded with ground beef, beans, and onions in the most unique chili sauce, and served on a pillow of spaghetti. Both savory and sweet, this chili and spaghetti recipe is a must for any chili lover!
Cincinnati Chili
This Cincinnati Chili Recipe is one of my Mom’s specialties. If you’ve never tried it, you’re truly in for a treat! It’s a little bit sweet (from sugar and yes, even cocoa powder!), a little bit savory (beef, cheese, beans…the good stuff), and a whole lotta yummy.
Cincinnati Style Chili is something I grew up on. My Mom would make it and we would always ask for seconds. If you haven’t tried it before, today is the day! It’s slightly sweet, and SO flavorful. The ingredients make it a really unique type of chili, and serving it with spaghetti is the only way to do it!
It’s an awesome comfort food for these cold winter nights. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked. It is both unique and delicious, it makes the best lunch or dinner!
Chili Spaghetti is a unique alternative to traditional chili recipes. It’s a family favorite!
What is Cincinnati Chili?
Cincinnati Chili was first served in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1922. It is traditionally served on a bed of spaghetti piled high with cheese, beans, ground beef, onions, and oyster crackers. It is sweetened up with very unique flavors to chili like chocolate, cinnamon, cloves and allspice.
YOU MUST TRY IT!
Try This Chili Spaghetti
Chili and spaghetti? In one meal?
Yup! Everyone eats their chili a little differently, and if you’ve never heard of this combination, it might seem…interesting. But trust me, it is so good!
The Cincinnati style chili really acts as a hearty spaghetti sauce, and boy is it good! It’s one of my favorite forms of chili, and it always makes me a little nostalgic.
Cincinnati Chili Ingredients
This Cincinnati Chili recipe has so many delicious ingredients! It’s a very uniquely-spiced style of chili, which is what makes it so delicious.
Here’s what’s in it:
- Ground Chuck
- Tomato Paste
- Onions
- Garlic
- Cider Vinegar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Cloves
- Cayenne (or Red Pepper Flakes)
- Chili Powder
- Chili Seasoning
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Unsweetened Cocoa
- Molasses
Some of these ingredients seem like they belong in a pie, not chili. But this special type of sweetened chili has to be tasted to believed! Once it’s piled onto spaghetti and covered in cheese, you’ll see what I mean. Yum!
Is this chili spicy?
It’s not particularly SPICY, but it is filled with spices. It has a sweet and savory flavor, but I wouldn’t say it’s the hot kind of spicy like some other chili recipes.
Tips for Making Cincinnati Style Chili
There are lots of Cincinnati Chili recipes out there – and this is my mom’s (Susie’s). Here’s what makes hers different:
- First, the ground chuck is boiled and drained. Boiling ground beef is an easy way to make sure the beef comes out into evenly cooked, small crumbles. I don’t do that for every recipe, but it’s great for this chili recipe.
- Also, onions and garlic for the chili mixture should be sautéd first. Cook them in a skillet with 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil until fragrant and translucent.
- Then, always include the cinnamon, cocoa, cloves and allspice even if you choose to not use other ingredients. My mom uses molasses as well as 2 different kinds of Williams chili seasoning to give a rich, full flavor.
Watch the video to see the step by step recipe in action. And check the recipe card below for the full instructions and details.
How do you eat Cincinnati Chili?
Different members of our family like their Cincinnati style chili garnished different ways! Some like it dressed to the nines (topped with beans, cheese, onions, and oyster crackers), but you can also keep things simple and just top with cheese.
I like to top it with ALL the goodness. I’m a huge fan of toppings, and eating this chili atop a bed of cooked spaghetti is simply a must. I KNOW it sounds weird, but I promise you will love it!
Here’s the real how-to if you ask me:
- Serve the chili over spaghetti.
- Load it up with shredded cheese, extra onions, and LOTS of oyster crackers.
- It’s served on spaghetti, so eat it like spaghetti. You’re gonna need a fork!
Can this be frozen or saved for leftovers?
Yes! This chili is even better the next day. The flavors all have time to mix together for the ultimate combination of savory and sweet. It’s pure heaven.
Place it in an airtight container and it should keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. The chili can also be frozen for 3-4 months.
Best Chili Recipes
This Cincinnati Chili recipe is just one of MANY favorites. If you’re as big of a chili fan as I am, then one recipe just isn’t enough to get through the winter. I need a few different types to keep me going! Try a few of these amazing options:
- World’s Best Chili Recipe
- Creamy White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese
- Instant Pot Chili Verde Recipe
- Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe
- Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe
- Instant Pot Chili Mac
- Spicy White Bean Chicken Chili
- Best Easy Chili Recipe
- Instant Pot Chili
- Crockpot Chili Recipe
Watch the Video and See the recipe card below for full details. Enjoy!
Looking for more comfort food? These soups will keep you warm and full!
Best Cincinnati Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Spaghetti - cooked and drained
- 2-4 c. Shredded Cheese your favorite Cheddar or Cheddar blend
- 2 cans beans black or red are our favorites
- 1 onion - diced NOT sauteed
- 1 package pkg. Oyster Crackers or your favorites
CHILI INGREDIENTS:
NOTE: read through carefully before starting. Some ingredients like the meat and veggies call for COOKED ingredients.
- 3 pounds ground chuck boiled and drained
- 1 quart water
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups diced onions sauteed
- 1 teaspoon diced garlic - sauteed with the onion the last minute of sauteing
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 pkg. Williams Chicken Chili Seasoning
- 1/2 pkg Williams Chili Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon sugar - dissolved in 1/4 c. hot water
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 2 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa or 1 oz. square unsweetened chocolate
- 1 Tablespoon molasses
Instructions
- Add all the chili ingredients in a large stove-top pan.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer at least 2 hours. (add a little water if it starts to thicken too much)
- Serve on a bed of spaghetti and top with cheese, beans, onion and crackers (or a combo of your faves).
- ENJOY!!
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Nutrition Information
This sounds amazing! I wasn’t raised on skyline chili but I’ve been a fan from the get go. This recipe seems really involved. I don’t think I will ever boil hamburger for one. (I don’t care if it’s a little more chunky) but I’m also really stuck on the chili seasoning. For one, I don’t have a favorite since I never use it. It seems to have the usual seasoning. (I looked at your recipe). Things like cumin, chili powder, garlic and such. Can you help a girl out by giving me an idea of how much I would need of each spice? I know it’s a lot to ask. 🙈
I would start by making chili seasoning using these ratios: 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Use about 2 tablespoons of this mixture in place of the seasoning packets!
I have personally had this Cincinnati chili made by Susie! It is wonderful and so full of flavor! I will attempt this recipe someday soon because I’ve been craving it! Susie, coming to KV anytime soon.
Hi Angie!!! Good to hear from you :) :)
How do you boil ground beef ????
Here’s a guide that should help! Enjoy! https://www.thecookierookie.com/perfect-boiled-ground-beef/
Hi! We have an easy tutorial for Boiled Ground Beef. Enjoy!
What is Williams seasoning? Never heard of it. We are in the Northeast part of the country so is there another similar item that can be substituted?
It’s a type of Chili Seasoning. You can use whatever premade chili seasoning packets you like best!
That Cincinnati Chili looks like it is to die for. I’m going to have to try this on the next cool evening. Heck who cares if it is cool. Maybe before that.
Ha!! I agree…it doesn’t have to be cool outside for me to love this one. Thanks for saying hi!