Cincinnati chili (Skyline Chili) is packed with tomato sauce, beef, onion, garlic, cocoa, cinnamon, and cumin all over a pile of spaghetti!
This Cincinnati chili recipe will be a new favorite in your weekly meal rotation! This dish originated in Cincinnati, Ohio and will wake up your taste buds in the best way. We like to serve it with corn fritters and peanut butter cups.
Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati Chili (Skyline Chili)
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Versatile! Serve it over noodles, eat it like chili, use it for a chili dog or eat it with chips!
📌 So easy! Throw it all together, bring to a boil and return to a simmer until ready.
📌 The depth of flavor from all the spices and the unsweetened cocoa is amazing!
Cincinnati Chili Ingredients
- Oil – Olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Onion – Yellow onion, diced.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, minced.
- Tomato paste – From a can or from a squeezable tube. Whatever you have on hand.
- Meat – Ground beef.
- Tomato sauce – Any brand that you have on hand.
- Worcestershire sauce – This adds amazing flavor to the sauce.
- Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar. White wine vinegar or distilled white vinegar will work in a pinch.
- Seasonings – chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, salt, ground black pepper, allspice, ground cloves.
- Cocoa – Unsweetened cocoa powder.
The unique blend of spices is what makes this chili so unique and delicious!
How do you make skyline chili? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, heat oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the onion, garlic and tomato paste and cook until the onions are just tender.
⭐ Next, stir in the ground beef and cook just long enough to break up the meat. Don’t brown the meat completely.
⭐ Then, stir in the remaining ingredients and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the liquid has reduced and chili has thickened.
⭐ Finally, serve over spaghetti with diced white onions, shredded cheddar and/or kidney beans.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
If you use a beef with high fat content, you may want to chill the chili and skim the top before serving.
Preparation
Can I make Cincinnati chili ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great make ahead recipe. Prepare up to a day in advance and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Reheat on the stove top for best flavor!
What about draining the beef?
Because we don’t brown the beef completely before adding the other ingredients, there might be some grease that forms on the top of the chili after it has cooled. Simply scrape this off the top before reheating, if desired.
Why is it called Cincinnati chili?
This dish originated in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a staple served all over the city. There are actually restaurants called chili parlors that serve up a variety of chili dishes!
What makes it so unique are the broad range of seasonings and the fact that it’s served over noodles instead of in a bowl like traditional chili.
Are there beans in Cincinnati chili?
Nope! There are no beans in this recipe. However, one of the traditional ways of serving this dish is to warm a can of kidney beans and serve over the top of the chili.
We love this on hot dogs too!
Leftovers and storage
How long does Cincinnati chili last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you notice a layer of fat on the top of your leftovers, simply scrape it off!
Can you freeze Cincinnati chili?
Yes! This recipe freezes well. Let chili cool completely and place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove for best results!
Eat it on your spaghetti as is, or pile on lots of toppings!
Tips and tricks
✅ Don’t leave out the cocoa powder! It creates an amazing depth of flavor that you will LOVE!
✅ For traditional Cincinnati chili, serve over spaghetti noodles with shredded cheese and chopped onions.
✅ Add some red pepper flakes to crank up the heat a bit!
✅ For a different flavor profile, add in some chopped bell peppers or even a chopped jalapeno for an added kick.
Kidney beans, shredded cheese, diced onions, and oyster crackers are classic toppings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I substitute ground turkey or a meat alternative for ground beef in Cincinnati chili?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or a meat alternative like textured vegetable protein (TVP) instead of ground beef for a leaner or vegetarian version of Cincinnati chili.
What toppings can I add to Cincinnati chili?
While diced white onions, shredded cheddar, and kidney beans are traditional toppings, you can also experiment with toppings like sour cream, hot sauce, oyster crackers, or chopped fresh herbs to personalize your Cincinnati chili.
How spicy is Cincinnati chili?
Cincinnati chili is known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of spice. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili powder, or incorporating red pepper flakes for additional heat to match your taste.
My husband also likes a few sliced fresh jalapenos on top.
What to enjoy with Cincinnati Skyline chili (serving suggestions)
We love to make a big batch of Cincinnati chili and serve it in a bunch of different ways over the week. Try making it with garlic noodles, gnocchi, or zucchini noodles for a healthier option!
We like to make a double batch and freeze half for an easy weeknight dinner later.
More delicious chili recipes
- Slow cooker chili mac
- White chicken chili
- Chili cornbread casserole
- Chili seasoning
- Wendy’s chili
- Pulled pork chili
- See all our delicious chili recipes!
Try making it with ground chicken or ground turkey for a lighter version.
Other awesome noodle dishes
- Cafeteria noodles recipe
- Spinach artichoke pasta
- Garlic noodles
- Peanut butter ramen
- Sesame noodles
- See all our easy pasta recipes!
Make it sweeter with brown sugar or spicier with chili powder!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron pot – This is a great and super versatile pot that can be used in both the oven and on the stove top.
- Wooden spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
😍😍😍
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How to Make Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 cups water
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 pound spaghetti prepared
- optional toppings: kidney beans, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, oyster crackers
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and tomato paste and cook until the onions are starting to become tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ground beef and cook just long enough to break it up.
- Stir in all the remaining ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 1½ to 2 hours, until the liquid has reduced and the chili has thickened.
- Serve over spaghetti with your favorite toppings
Notes
Nutrition
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Cincinnati Chili (Skyline Chili)
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Ashley says
This chili is one of our favorite meals when it’s cold out! It’s so delicious!
Erin says
A family member introduced me to Skyline Chili, and I love it. The addition of spaghetti is genius. I love your recipe.
Sharina says
I just added this Cincinnati Chili to our meal rotation! It is scrumptious, rich and flavorful! And I’m glad this is so easy to make!