Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)

Side view of a plate of Cincinnati chili with shredded cheese and diced onions.

4.75 from 4 votes

Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)

Recreate the famous Skyline flavor with this Cincinnati Chili recipe! The spiced beef sauce is simmered, not browned, and served over spaghetti with cheddar and onions.

Prep Time20

Cook Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Total Cost: $11.70 recipe / $2.92 serving

Servings: servings (4 oz. pasta + 1 cup chili)

Calories: 1008kcal

Author: Jennie Alley

Equipment

Dutch Oven or Braiser
Large Pot

Ingredients

6 Tbsp tomato paste divided, (6 oz. can) $0.86
5 cups cold water $0.00
1 lb. ground beef 80/20, $5.94
1 medium onion finely chopped, (1 cup, 150g), $0.70
3 garlic cloves minced, (1 Tbsp) $0.21
2 Tbsp chili powder $0.16*
1 tsp ground cinnamon $0.06
½ tsp ground allspice $0.04
¼ tsp ground cloves $0.02
¼ tsp cayenne pepper $0.04**
1 tsp ground cumin $0.04
1 tsp smoked paprika $0.08
1 tsp dried oregano $0.04
1 tsp salt $0.04***
½ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.08
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar $0.04
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce $0.02
1 tsp molasses $0.06

For Serving

1 lb. spaghetti uncooked, $0.98
8 oz. mild cheddar cheese finely shredded, $1.94****
½ cup white onion finely diced, (75g) $0.35

Instructions

Gather and prep all ingredients.
In a large pot, whisk 5 Tbsp of tomato paste into 5 cups of cold water over medium heat until fully dissolved.
Add the ground beef, onion, garlic, all spices, vinegar, Worcestershire, and molasses. Bring to a boil, breaking up the beef with a whisk until it’s very fine in texture.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 1-1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and reduced. Taste for seasoning, adjust if need be.**
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
In a large bowl, whisk the reserved pasta water with the remaining 1 Tbsp tomato paste. Toss the hot pasta in this mixture to coat evenly.
Spoon the Skyline-style chili generously over the pasta and top with shredded cheddar and diced onion. For an optional classic touch, add oyster crackers and a dash of hot sauce.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Video

Notes

*Chili powder is a mild blend of chilies and other spices used to season chili. You can also use our homemade chili seasoning in place of store-bought chili powder.

**Cayenne adds a touch of heat; skip it for a milder version.

***Salt may need adjustment depending on your tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Taste before serving.

****Traditional Cincinnati chili uses finely shredded mild cheddar for that signature fluffy texture. Always shred your own cheese for the best melt.

Nutrition

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