If you’ve never heard of Cincinnati Chili you’re not in the minority. This American Classic is a regional American dish that has been finding its way to dinner tables across the country.
And after you sample this deliciousness, you’ll understand why.
Do you have favorite dishes? Dishes that you haven’t been able to eat because of how your body reacts to the ingredients in the dish?
What is Cincinnati Chili?
Cincinnati chili started out as a Mediterranean-spiced meat sauce used as a topping for spaghetti (two-way) or for hot dogs (coneys). Both dishes were developed by Macedonian immigrant restaurateurs in the 1920s. To make ordering more efficient, the “Way” system of ordering was created.
In 2013, Smithsonian named it one of “The 20 Most Iconic Foods in America“.
What do I need to make Cincinnati Chili?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make a Cincinnati Chili Five Ways. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Do I have to use Beans in my Cincinnati Chili?
No, you don’t. If you’re not fond of beans leave them out. It will just be a four-way style of this iconic dish.
You can also swap the beans I used with your own favorites.
What other toppings can I add to my Cincinnati Chili?
Creating dishes that you enjoy eating is what cooking at home is all about. Adding your own special touches is what makes cooking fun. And the more fun you have in the kitchen the more likely you are to be spending time creating deliciousness for your friends and family.
Some of my favorites are:
- Sour cream
- Pickled jalapenos
- Roasted corn
- Roasted Mushrooms
Do I have to use spaghetti to make this dish?
No. you don’t. You can use a variety of pasta shapes, rice, your favorite grain, zoodles (zucchini noodles) or spaghetti squash.
Using your favorite brand of chili makes this dish an easy weeknight dinner. If you’d like to make your own chili you can find my favorite recipe here -> Four Bean Beef and Beer Chili. Just omit the beans from the recipe.
Putting the dish together is pretty easy. This is the “Two-Way” version, simply spaghetti and chili.
To make this “Three-Way” add the beans. If you’re not a fan of beans skip this step. If you add cheese instead of beans, that will be another version of “Three-Way”.
Classic “Four-Way” adds Cheese to the spaghetti, chili and beans.
But when it’s time to go for the gusto, add chopped onions to create Cincinnati Chili “Five-Ways”.
For one of the most flavorful dishes of pasta, you’ll ever enjoy, mix everything together. And add a little extra cheese….sigh.
More recipes you’ll love!
- Italian Bolognese Sauce
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Restaurant Style Spaghetti Sauce with Sausage
- Wild Boar Ragu with Pappardelle
Cincinnati Chili 5-Ways
Ingredients
Chili
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup sweet onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 ounces dark beer or your favorite root beer
- 2 pounds ground chuck or ground sirloin if you prefer a leaner beef
- 16 ounces heavy crushed tomato
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon corn masa or fine cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
Cincinnati Chili 5 Ways
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 large sweet onion chopped
- 1 pound linguine cooker per directions on box
- 1 cup kidney bean or chili beans
- 1 cup pinto beans or beans of your choice
- 4 cups beef chili from my recipe or your favorite brand
Instructions
Chili
- In a large skillet or pot add the chopped onions, garlic and olive oil. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions are lightly cooked.
- Add ground meat and begin the browning process. You may need to add additional olive oil.
- Brown all the meat continuously stirring to break up the meat. ( you may find a heavy wire whisk helpful in breaking up the chunks)
- When the meat is browned begin adding in your seasonings including brown sugar( remember you can always add more after its cooked for awhile).
- Add crushed tomatoes and beer combining all of the ingredients.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow to simmer for 1 – 2 hours, stirring so the chili won’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- If the chili begins to get too thick you can add chicken stock or water to get it to the consistency you like.
- Taste and re-season to your taste.
Cincinnati Chili 5 Ways – Assembly
- Cook pasta per instructions on the box
- place pasta on the plates, top with chili, beans, chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy!
Nutrition
Alexis
This chili was a huge hit at a recent chili cook off! So yummy! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Gail Montero
This is totally my kind of comfort food and combines two of my favorite dishes – chili and spaghetti! Best dinner option for fall!
Emily
This Cincinnati chili is just the best! I always love all your recipes and this one is no exception!
Kushigalu
Never tried this before. Looks so delicious. Cant wait to make this for dinner. Thanks for sharing
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
What a great chili recipe! My Dad grew up in Ohio and went to college in Cincinnati so I’m always looking for a good version to share with him. Such a great product for heartburn too!
Ramona
WOW, this chili sounds amazing I am dying to try this out! I showed my husband and he agreed that we need to give this a go since we love making chili. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious
Dennis this chili sounds amazing! I told my husband that we are going to make it this week. He questioned the pasta and I was like, just go with it! Dennis knows what he’s doing. Bravo!
Maria
What a fabulous recipe and I love that you serve it over spaghetti! This sounds like a real hearty, comfort meal, especially with the chilly weather!
Amy Liu Dong
Wow, I can say that this recipe is delicious and I can’t wait to make this for my husband. Thank you!
Leslie
I think I just found one of my meals for next week! Thank you, this looks incredible!!
Sondra Barker
Wow! Looks delicious. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Beth
This chili on pasta looks hearty and comforting. I can’t wait to try some with beer and some with root beer – I can only imagine the taste differences.
Dave
Two words: Simple and awesome!
Christina
Can’t wait to make this!
Stine Mari
I have never heard of Cincinnati Chili before but it looks so comforting. I will of course make it five ways with all the toppings!
Marta
Okay, Dennis, I was suspicious, but this Cincinnati Chile on spaghetti was everything! I really enjoyed the combination.
Debra
Nothing better than a pot of chili on the stove on a cool fall afternoon. This was super tasty….that brown sugar really added something extra that was delish.
Ramona
What a delicious recipe. Made it again and again and my kids said to never stop making it. Soo good!
Sara
This Cincinnati chili is the best version I’ve ever made! We actually love to eat it I know you’re supposed to eat it on pasta, but sometimes I like to just eat it on its own! Thank you for the recipe!
Kay
OMG why have I never tried this before! I love the layering up of extra ingredients! Will def be making this more often. Going to try with rice next time.
rika
A very comforting food! My kids really love Chili. I am going to make this recipe this weekend!
Amy
Love a good chili! Love the use of all those aromatic spices.
Audrey
I haven’t had Cincinnati chili in so long! Seriously, it’s been about ten years. Thank you for the fantastic recipe.
Natalie
This looks delicious. I will definitely make this for my family. And, yes. I know how you feel. I’m a foodie with occasional heartburn so I know the struggle. Glad you found a medication that helps.
Rosey
You always do such a good job with your ecipes. Chili is one of my faves!
Amanda Marie Boyle
I love playing with chili, and adding the root beer is such a fun, tasty touch!
FOODHEAL
Wow, this must be melting in the mouth…
Rosario
Looks delicious!
Jill | Sugar Spice & Everything Life
Love all the different options! I can’t pick just one!!
Alexandra
The flavours in this Chili are delicious! It is a comforting dish, and the whole family enjoyed it – we loved the toppings, too!
Ruth I
Wow these are great! I love making Chili’s. I love how you gave us a variety of making chilli. The recipe looks delicious I haven’t tried this one yet. Will definitely make me some of this!
Kathy
Wow, this looks amazing. It’s been awhile since I’ve made chili. I have been wanting to make it lately too. This chili I will certainly have to try out. It looks so delicious.
Lynndee
Yum! We love chili and we usually have it during the cold months. That said, time to prepare one again.
Gervin Khan
Wow! Another interesting recipe! It looks really yummy! I would love to have a taste of it!
Jennifer Van Haitsma
I’d never of this, but my husband loves chili. He likes pasta with as meaty of sauce as possible, so this is perfect!
Catalina
Mmmmm…. It looks so inviting! Love that it’s a rich and flavorful pasta dish!
Nyxie
This sounds and looks amazing! My partner made something similar this week for dinner. Although not exactly the same, I can bet this tastes just as wonderful.
Terri Oliver Steffes
We are huge fans of Cincinnati chili and plan to be at the Skyline restaurant for take out in early November. I’m looking forward to making your recipe when we can’t be there in person.
Nikki Wayne
This is really a must try! It never crossed my mind to add beans on my pasta but sounds really delicious!!
Monica Simpson
I always look forward to your recipes! This one looks incredible and unique. I have never heard of this dish before and I’m excited to try it.
Tasheena
I haven’t made chili in so long. Looking forward to making this recipe.
Beth
My dad was born in Cincinnati, but I have never heard of Cincinnati chili. It looks delicious! I’ve had to change my diet because of heartburn, I’ll have to try Omeprazole ODT.
BEn
Booyah! Nothing is better than really good chili. I make it all the time when fall and winter roll around. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Amber Myers
I hadn’t heard of Cincinnati Chili but it sounds like something I’d enjoy! This looks so incredible. I love chili!
Pam Wattenbarger
I do enjoy cincinnati chili and I don’t enjoy heartburn. I keep some Omeprazole ODT in the cabinet at all times.
Melissa
I lived in NKY for 20 years. Cincinnati Chili is a family favorite! Will have to try your recipe.