• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Shop

Cincinnati Chili Dinner

December 5, 2017 by Joy the Baker 25 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Earlier this year I discovered the wonders of a warmly spiced savory meat dish.  It was too long a time coming, but moussaka is in my heart to stay.  

This chili, some of you from Cincinnati are no doubt nodding your head with knowing, is a cinnamon + chili + cumin and clove spiced meat dish served two ways, three ways, or FIVE WAYS: over spaghetti pasta topped with diced white onions, grated cheddar cheese, and kidney beans.  

I’ve seen some of traditional, Mediterranean spiced Cincinnati Chili recipes that also include dark chocolate but this recipe opts out.  I can only go so far where spaghetti and cheddar are involved.  

This recipe bring on opinions.  It’s not often you combine ground cinnamon and ground beef without ruffling a feather or two.  The combination warm and comforting and the spice bring such an unexpected roundness to this hearty chili situation. 

As you know, I am not from Cincinnati,  but I’ve enjoyed this rendition of their fine chili soI wanted to share it with you.  If this chili is home to you – I appreciate your grace. 

This recipe is from our girl Ree’s latest cookbook Come and Get It!  It’s full of dang comforting home cooking so… so do as the title suggests, ya know? 

Ready for this? 

Here’s the grocery list, laid right out there. 

We’re making a simple chili that’s essentially a spiced meat sauce.  

We’ll need:  

•  ground beef and broth

•  onions and garlic

•  tomato sauce and paste

•  the spices that make this Cincinnati Chili exactly what it is:  chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice

•  vinegar and worcestershire sauce for depth and brightness

•  a big ol bundle of spaghetti pasta, grated cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and kidney beans

In a large Dutch oven we’ll cook down the onions and garlic.  It’s all about layering ingredients and flavor and everything savory and simmered starts with onions and garlic.  Once softened it’s time for ground beef.  

The fat is drained from the cooked beef and hello, hello it’s time for spice! It might feel aggressive and adventurous but go for it.  These winter spices are warming and right. 

To the spices and tomato paste we’ll add vinegar and worcestershire sauce – my very favorite secret ingredient to soups and stews.  It’s salty, savory, and if you ask me (you did, right?) it brings all the savory elements together. 

Beef broth, or really any sort of broth that feels right to you.  

We’ve also got tomato sauce and bay leaves workin.  

Simmer and simmer.  Simmer some more. 

Now is a good boil some pasta.   

Plated, our dinner starts with a heaping pile of tender spaghetti (every time I type it I say it in my head like Giada).  

Warm meat chili.  And toppings!  We’ll add all of them.  Every simple one of them, starting with chopped white onions.  

Cheddar cheese… and you know more is more is more, so do your thing. 

And because this is chili, a few obligatory red kidney beans.  

It’s deeply comforting.  Are you picking up that vibe?  Get some. It’s a very good plan. 

The recipe below is generous.  Rest easy knowing that the chili freezes well (separated from the pasta), or you can cut the recipe in half with equal success.  

Photos with my dear friends: Jon Jon. 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Cincinnati Chili

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 60
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups), some onions reserved for topping
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 pound spaghetti, cooked for serving
  • finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • drained canned kidney beans, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for for a couple of minutes, until the onions begin to soften. Five minutes should do.
  2. Add the ground beef and use the back of a spoon or spatula to break the ground beef up as it cooks. Saute until the beef is cooked through. Drain off the excess fat and discard.
  3. Add the spices and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
  4. Add the tomato sauce, beef broth, worcestershire, vinegar, and bay leaves. Stir all that in too.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and allow the chili to simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Stir occasionally until lovely and thickened.
  6. For serving, spoon generously into bowls. Top with chopped onions, grated cheddar cheese, and a few spoonfuls of kidney beans. Enjoy warm.
  7. Store chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes, Savory

Previous Post: « Let It Be Sunday, 148!
Next Post: Gingerbread Dutch Baby »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Lynn Robbin

    October 25, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    We ate lots of this while living in Cincinnati! It is the best chili, I think. Greek inspired recipe. It also makes for the yummiest chili dogs!
    Will give this a try, Joy. Thanks for sharing and bringing back fond memories.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Melissa

    February 24, 2018 at 11:47 am

    Really delicious! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  3. STH

    December 31, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    I just wanted to step in here and say that I made this the other night and it was delicious. Just the perfect thing for a cold winter night. I didn’t know if my partner would go for it (he’s English and had never heard of this dish), but he loved it and had seconds. And I’m pretty sure the proper way to eat this–or any other dish–is the way you like it. Thank you very much for this recipe!

    Reply
  4. Jenny

    December 21, 2017 at 7:14 am

    Love this! As a Cincinnati native who only gets to visit about once a year, the craving is real!…I have tried so many recipes over the years to satisfy the cravings from GA (I just can’t do the canned version available down here), and I have one recipe that is the closest to the real deal, that I make. I like Laura’s comments above and will take your version for what it is;) Of course it has to have chocolate in it for me to truly consider it Cincinnati Chili! As an avid, long time follower, I trust your judgement on good chili though and will give this one a spin! Was so fun to open up your blog and see that Cincinnati Chili made it to your list to try!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Dinner

French onion chicken in a bowl surrounded by glasses on a table
One-Pot French Onion Chicken Dinner

All the comforts of French onion soup turned into a cozy one-pot dinner.  This French Onion Chicken dinner is downright romantic and perfect for this winter weekend spent all cuddled up. You know every year I trapse in here with a version of Marry Me Chicken that is rumored to be soo good as to…

Read More

Guest: Julia Turshen’s Chicken Francese

Welcome our first December guest – Julia Turshen! Julia Turshen is a best selling cookbook author, food writer, chef, and food equity advocate. She lectures on food and home cooking and has published four solo books on the subject and has contributed to many others in collaboration or as a writer. She hosts the podcast…

Read More

Texture of homemade hamburger helper in pot.
One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper with Sneaky Veggies

You’ll be making this homemade hamburger helper recipe for dinner at least once a month. It’s a hearty and comforting dish and jam packed with secret veggies. Not that we need to keep veggies a secret but… sometimes we do. Let’s make classic Helper from scratch! Your kids (or the child inside your heart) will…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

Jump to Recipe

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

Orange roll on a plate with a fork.

Christmas Morning Orange Rolls

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker and author of books and magazines
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
💁🏻‍♀️Classes with me @thebakehousenola
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
🍓🌼 Pan Dulce is the best way to bake spring! 🍓🌼 Pan Dulce is the best way to bake spring! Full recipe linked in the @joythebaker bio! Xo
Second coffee: the perfect way to re-start the day Second coffee: the perfect way to re-start the day. 
✨Beignet Café au Lait✨⁣
⁣1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk⁣⁣
Splash of vanilla extract⁣⁣
½ cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks⁣⁣
2 cups fresh brewed strong coffee⁣⁣
½ cup toasted cinnamon cereal, lightly crushed⁣⁣
Powdered sugar for topping⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Place sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Add half of the whipped cream and fold to combine.  Add the remaining half and fold until you have a fluffy sweet cream. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Divide brewed coffee between two mugs. Spoon dream on top.  Sprinkle cinnamon cereal between the cups.  Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy immediately.
Life Skill No. 458: How to Make 1️⃣2️⃣ Cup Life Skill No. 458: How to Make 1️⃣2️⃣ Cupcakes with just 1️⃣ Stick of Butter⁣
⁣
Full recipe linked in my bio! xo
Someone call @foodnetwork because Dad and I need a Someone call @foodnetwork because Dad and I need a baking show stat. Here’s our very best chocolate chip cookies and all the little tips that make them perfection. ✨🍪 Find the full recipe linked in the profile!
We’re baking the classics on Joy the Baker this We’re baking the classics on Joy the Baker this month and up next, my very favorite Lemon Bar recipe with fresh lemon juice and the tiniest hint of coriander. ⁣🍋🌼✨
⁣
Find the full recipe linked in the profile and bust out the white chocolate and macadamia nuts for next week’s bake! ⁣
⁣
#lemonbars #easybaking #bakedfromscratch #joythebaker
Day in the Life: out in the woods writing a little Day in the Life: out in the woods writing a little cookbook about camp food. 💖🏕️🙋🏻‍♀️
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up