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Savory Cincinnati Chili with Spaghetti

Cincinnati chili with spaghetti - featured image
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A unique twist on classic chili featuring a fragrant blend of warm spices like cinnamon and cocoa, served over spaghetti for a hearty, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (optional but recommended)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 12 oz spaghetti (regular or whole wheat)
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, kidney beans, oyster crackers

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (10 minutes): Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out all spices and liquids before you start cooking.
  2. Cook the Spaghetti (8-10 minutes): Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Brown the Ground Beef (7-8 minutes): Heat skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink and browned. Drain excess fat if desired.
  4. Sauté Onions and Garlic (3-4 minutes): Push beef to one side; add oil if dry. Cook onions until translucent, then stir in garlic until fragrant.
  5. Add Tomato Paste and Spices (2 minutes): Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, cumin, cocoa powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  6. Deglaze and Simmer (25 minutes): Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping browned bits. Add bay leaf. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 20-25 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Taste and Adjust: Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more cinnamon if desired.
  8. Serve: Spoon chili over warm spaghetti. Add optional toppings like shredded cheddar, diced onions, or oyster crackers.

Notes

Toast spices in tomato paste before adding broth to enhance aroma. Brown beef well for depth of flavor. Adjust chili thickness by adding broth or simmering longer. Use gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies for gluten-free version. Can substitute ground turkey or lentils for different diets. Slow cooker adaptation possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cincinnati chili, chili spaghetti, comfort food, hearty meal, ground beef chili, cinnamon chili, cocoa chili, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/savory-cincinnati-chili-with-spaghetti-recipe-for-easy-hearty-comfort/