Dinner

Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti

This isn’t your average chili – Cincinnati chili is basically the rebel cousin of traditional chili that decided to get fancy with warm spices and serve itself over spaghetti like it owns the place.

The secret weapon here is the unexpected blend of cinnamon, allspice, and cocoa powder that transforms ordinary ground beef into something that’ll have people asking “What IS that amazing flavor?”

Fair warning: once you master the art of the Cincinnati “ways” (2-way through 5-way), you’ll become the person everyone calls when they need comfort food that actually comforts.

This recipe is proof that some of the best dishes come from breaking all the rules – who decided chili couldn’t be served over pasta anyway?

The three-hour simmer time might sound like forever, but it’s mostly hands-off time that lets all those warm spices meld into pure magic while you binge-watch your favorite show.

Get ready to join the cult of Cincinnati chili lovers who understand that sometimes the weirdest combinations create the most crave-worthy results.

Ingredients

For the Chili

2 pounds (907.18 g) ground beef – preferably 80/20 blend for optimal flavor
3 cups (750 ml) water – filtered water works best
15 ounce (425.24 ml) can tomato sauce – no-salt-added preferred
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped – about 1 cup diced
1 tablespoon chili powder – use high-quality for best flavor
2 teaspoons ground cumin – freshly ground if possible
1½ teaspoons salt – kosher salt recommended
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – the secret to authentic Cincinnati flavor
1½ teaspoons ground allspice – another signature spice
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper – adjust to taste preference
½ teaspoon cocoa powder – unsweetened only
¼ teaspoon garlic powder – granulated works fine
2 bay leaves – fresh or dried
1½ teaspoons cider vinegar – adds essential tang
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – for umami depth

For the Traditional Toppings

Cooked spaghetti – thin spaghetti works best
Shredded cheddar cheese – sharp cheddar preferred
White onion, diced – finely chopped for best texture
Chili beans – kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Instructions

Prepare the Base

1 In a large Dutch oven or heavy stockpot, combine the 2 pounds ground beef with 3 cups water, stirring until the mixture becomes soupy and the meat is completely broken up. This unusual method of starting with water instead of browning creates Cincinnati chili’s distinctive smooth texture.
2 Add the finely chopped onion, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, cinnamon, allspice, crushed red pepper, cocoa powder, garlic powder, and bay leaves to the beef mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure all spices are evenly distributed throughout.

Simmer and Develop Flavors

3 Bring the mixture to a rapid simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You’ll know it’s ready when you see active bubbling across the surface and steam rising consistently.
4 Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The long, slow simmer allows the unique spice blend to meld and intensify while the liquid reduces to the perfect consistency.

Finish and Serve

5 During the final 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. These acidic components brighten the rich, warm spices and add the authentic tangy finish that distinguishes Cincinnati chili.
6 Remove the bay leaves and taste for seasoning, adjusting salt and spices as needed. The chili should have a rich, complex flavor with warm spice notes and a slightly sweet undertone from the cinnamon and allspice.
7 Serve immediately over cooked spaghetti noodles for 2-way, or build your preferred “way” by adding shredded cheddar cheese (3-way), chopped white onions (4-way), and drained chili beans (5-way). Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recommended Equipment and Kitchen Tools

Essential Tools (for best results):

Large Dutch oven or heavy stockpot – The heavy bottom prevents scorching during the long simmer time and distributes heat evenly. A 6-quart capacity works perfectly for this recipe size.
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula – Essential for stirring without scratching your cookware, especially important during the frequent stirring required for the 3-hour simmer.
Sharp chef’s knife – Makes quick work of finely chopping the onion, which needs to be diced small for authentic Cincinnati chili texture.
Cutting board – A large wooden or plastic board gives you plenty of space for prep work and ingredient organization.

Helpful Upgrades:

Immersion blender – If you prefer an even smoother texture, a quick pulse with an immersion blender after cooking creates restaurant-quality consistency.
Fine-mesh strainer – Some traditionalists strain their Cincinnati chili for ultra-smooth texture, though this step is completely optional.

Nice-to-Have Options:

Digital kitchen scale – For the most accurate measurements, especially when scaling the recipe up or down for different crowd sizes.
Storage containers – Glass containers with tight-fitting lids are perfect for storing leftovers and make reheating easier.

Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications

Gluten-Free Adaptation:

Replace regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta – corn-based or rice-based varieties work excellently and maintain the proper texture for layering with toppings
Verify that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free – some brands contain wheat, so check labels carefully
Cooking time remains the same – gluten-free pasta typically cooks according to package directions

Dairy-Free Modifications:

Substitute nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese shreds for the traditional cheddar cheese topping
The chili base is naturally dairy-free, making this an easy adaptation
Consider cashew-based cheese sauce for a creamy alternative that melts beautifully

Lower-Sodium Version:

Use no-salt-added tomato sauce and reduce added salt to 1 teaspoon, adjusting to taste after the full simmer
Choose low-sodium Worcestershire sauce and add extra cider vinegar for flavor brightness
Fresh herbs like oregano or thyme can boost flavor without adding sodium

Spice Level Variations:

Mild version: Reduce crushed red pepper to ¼ teaspoon and use mild chili powder
Spicy version: Add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and increase crushed red pepper to 1 teaspoon
Extra warming spices: Increase cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons for a more pronounced sweet-spice flavor

Nutritional Information and Health Benefits

Key Nutritional Highlights:
Each serving of Cincinnati chili (without pasta and toppings) provides approximately 280 calories with 22 grams of protein from the lean ground beef. The recipe yields about 8 servings, making it an economical choice for feeding families. The high protein content helps maintain satiety and supports muscle health, while the complex spice blend provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Health Benefits of Main Ingredients:
The ground beef provides complete protein with all essential amino acids, plus important minerals like iron, zinc, and B-vitamins that support energy metabolism and immune function. Cinnamon contains powerful antioxidants and may help regulate blood sugar levels, while cumin aids digestion and provides iron. The cocoa powder adds flavonoids that support heart health, and allspice contains eugenol, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties. Tomato sauce provides lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that becomes more bioavailable when cooked.

Dietary Considerations:
This recipe is naturally gluten-free (when served without wheat pasta), dairy-free (without cheese toppings), and low-carb (without pasta and beans). The moderate sodium content can be reduced by using no-salt-added tomato sauce. One serving provides about 15% of daily iron needs and significant amounts of vitamin B12, niacin, and phosphorus.

Smart Swaps and Ingredient Substitutions

Protein Substitutions:

Ground turkey → Use 93/7 lean ground turkey for lower fat content, though you may need to add 1 tablespoon olive oil for moisture
Plant-based ground meat → Beyond or Impossible ground works well, reduce cooking time to 2 hours as plant proteins don’t need as long to develop flavor
Ground chicken → Use 85/15 ground chicken and add 1 teaspoon extra Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor

Spice Substitutions:

Chili powder → 2 teaspoons paprika + 1 teaspoon cayenne if you’re out of chili powder
Allspice → ½ teaspoon cinnamon + ½ teaspoon nutmeg + ¼ teaspoon cloves for homemade allspice blend
Cocoa powder → 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder adds similar depth without chocolate flavor

Budget-Friendly Swaps:

Canned tomato sauce → 1 can crushed tomatoes blended smooth saves money and often tastes fresher
Fresh onion → 2 tablespoons onion powder works in a pinch, add it with the other dried spices

Pantry Emergency Substitutions:

Cider vinegar → White vinegar or lemon juice provides the necessary acidity
Bay leaves → 1 teaspoon dried oregano adds different but complementary herbal notes

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

Carbohydrate Modifications:

Replace regular spaghetti with shirataki noodles or spaghetti squash to reduce carbs from approximately 45g to 8g per serving
Use zucchini noodles (zoodles) as a fresh, low-carb base that adds extra vegetables and fiber
Serve over cauliflower rice for a completely different but delicious presentation

Smart Topping Choices:

Limit beans to 2 tablespoons per serving instead of the traditional ¼ cup to reduce carbs by 8-10 grams
Choose reduced-fat sharp cheddar for the same flavor impact with fewer calories
Load up on diced onions – they’re naturally low in carbs and add satisfying crunch and flavor

Portion Control Tips:

Standard serving size: ¾ cup chili contains approximately 12g carbohydrates from the tomato sauce and onions
Pair with a side salad to increase fiber and help stabilize blood sugar response
Add extra protein like hard-boiled eggs or Greek yogurt as additional toppings

Total Carb Reduction: These modifications can reduce total carbohydrates from 57g to 15g per serving while maintaining the authentic Cincinnati chili experience.

Perfect Pairing Suggestions

Beverage Pairings:
The warm, complex spices in Cincinnati chili pair beautifully with medium-bodied red wines like Merlot or Zinfandel, which complement the cinnamon and allspice without overwhelming the dish. For beer lovers, amber ales or wheat beers provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, warming spices. Non-alcoholic options include sweet tea, root beer, or cream soda, which echo the slightly sweet spice profile, or sparkling water with lime to cleanse the palate between bites.

Side Dish Recommendations:
Cornbread or dinner rolls are traditional accompaniments that help balance the unique spice blend and provide a neutral base for soaking up extra chili. Coleslaw offers a cool, crunchy contrast that cuts through the richness, while roasted vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes complement the warm spices naturally. Simple green salad with vinaigrette provides fresh acidity that brightens the entire meal.

Complete Meal Ideas:
Start with loaded potato skins or nachos as appetizers that share the comfort food theme. For dessert, vanilla ice cream, apple pie, or cinnamon cookies continue the warm spice theme beautifully. When entertaining, set up a Cincinnati chili bar with all the traditional toppings plus extras like sour cream, jalapeños, and hot sauce so guests can customize their preferred “way.”

Pro Tips and Troubleshooting

Professional Techniques:
The key to authentic Cincinnati chili is patience during the long simmer – resist the urge to increase heat to speed the process, as slow cooking allows the unique spice blend to develop properly. Stir every 30 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, scraping the bottom of the pot gently. Taste and adjust seasoning during the final hour, as the flavors concentrate significantly during cooking.

Common Mistakes and Solutions:
If your chili becomes too thick, add warm water ¼ cup at a time rather than cold water, which can shock the cooking process. Too thin? Continue simmering uncovered for an additional 30-45 minutes until it reaches proper consistency. Spices taste harsh? Add 1 teaspoon brown sugar to balance the warm spices – this is a traditional adjustment many Cincinnati chili parlors use.

Storage and Reheating:
Cincinnati chili actually improves after a day in the refrigerator as flavors continue to meld. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to restore proper consistency. Freeze for up to 3 months in portion-sized containers for quick weeknight meals. Never reheat in the microwave at full power – use 50% power and stir frequently to prevent hot spots.

Scaling and Make-Ahead Strategies:
This recipe doubles or triples easily for crowd feeding – just use a larger pot and extend simmering time by 30 minutes for larger batches. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chili up to 3 days in advance and store refrigerated – the flavors actually improve with time.

Cincinnati chili isn’t just a recipe – it’s a delicious rebellion against culinary conventions that proves sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most memorable meals. Whether you’re team 3-way or brave enough for the full 5-way experience, you’re now equipped with all the secrets to make this iconic comfort food exactly the way Cincinnati intended. Get ready for the inevitable requests for seconds, thirds, and the recipe itself – because once people taste authentic Cincinnati chili, they’re hooked for life.