Cincinnati Chili 3, 4, or 5 Way

⏱ 135 mins 🍽 6-8 serving(s) 🏷 Spaghetti

This recipe guides you through making a traditional Cincinnati-style chili, a uniquely spiced meat sauce distinct from other chilis. It simmers for 1 1/2 to 2 hours to develop its deep flavour. The dish is famously served in 'ways': over spaghetti with various toppings like cheese, onions, and beans. The method also includes instructions for several other local serving styles, such as coneys and chili cheese fries. You can adjust the sauce consistency with water during cooking.

Cincinnati Chili 3, 4, or 5 Way

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped fine
  • 1 celery rib, chopped fine
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped fine
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mild paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (10 ounce) can tomato puree
  • 1 1/2 cups water (more or less)
  • 16 ounces thin spaghetti or 16 ounces spaghettini, cooked al dente
  • 1 (16 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • oyster crackers (optional)
  • hot pepper sauce (Frank's or Crystal preferred) (optional)

Method

  1. Cook the ground beef in a large pan with the chopped onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic, breaking the meat apart as it browns.
  2. Pour off any fat that has collected in the pan.
  3. Stir all the remaining ingredients into the pan until well combined.
  4. Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 1 1/2-2 hours, giving it an occasional stir.
  5. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to reach your preferred consistency.
  6. The chili can be served in the following styles, with items for the 3, 4, and 5 way listed in the ingredients.
  7. For a 3-Way, serve the chili over spaghetti and top with shredded cheese.
  8. A 4-Way is a 3-Way with the addition of either chopped onions or kidney beans.
  9. Create a 5-Way by layering spaghetti with chili, onions, beans, and cheese.
  10. For a simple chili spaghetti, just spoon the chili over cooked pasta.
  11. Make a cheese coney by placing a hot dog in a bun with mustard, chili, and cheese.
  12. A chili cheese sandwich is similar to a coney but without the hot dog.
  13. Assemble a Cincinnati burrito by wrapping beans in a tortilla and topping with chili, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and olives.
  14. Prepare a Cincinnati potato by loading a baked jacket potato with chili, diced onions, beans, and cheddar.
  15. For chili-cheese fries, cover french fries with chili and shredded cheddar cheese.
  16. A low-carb Coney uses 3 small hot dogs in a bowl, smothered with chili and cheese.
  17. If you like, offer oyster crackers and hot sauce on the side, or use them as a topping, with crackers often doused in the sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)

Sodium1098200 mg

Recipe details

CategorySpaghetti
AuthorPalatablePastime