Cincinnati 5 Way Chili

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Servings: 10 Difficulty: Advanced
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A rich, spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti with beans, cheese, and onions
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This iconic Cincinnati-style chili is less about heat and more about complex, aromatic spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cumin. The result is a savory, slightly sweet meat sauce that defies traditional chili norms. It’s traditionally served “5-way,” meaning itâÂÂs layered over cooked spaghetti with kidney beans, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, and finished with diced raw onions. This hearty dish is perfect for cold evenings, game day gatherings, or a comforting family dinner. The long simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a unique culinary experience that is distinctly Midwestern.

Cincinnati 5 Way Chili recipe image
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Cincinnati 5 Way Chili

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 10 Calories: 1324.3

Description

This iconic Cincinnati-style chili is less about heat and more about complex, aromatic spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cumin. The result is a savory, slightly sweet meat sauce that defies traditional chili norms. It&# 226;ÂÂs traditionally served "5-way," meaning itâÂÂs layered over cooked spaghetti with kidney beans, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, and finished with diced raw onions. This hearty dish is perfect for cold evenings, game day gatherings, or a comforting family dinner. The long simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a unique culinary experience that is distinctly Midwestern.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Heat the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef to the pot and break it up with a wooden spoon or fork.
  3. Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, until it is evenly browned and no longer pink.
  4. Drain any excess fat from the pot if necessary, then add the finely chopped onion and garlic.
  5. Sauté the vegetables for 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  6. Stir in the tomato paste, water, bay leaves, cinnamon, allspice, vinegar, crushed red pepper, salt, ground chile, cumin, and oregano.
  7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
  8. Cover the pot and let the chili simmer for 2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  9. Taste the chili and adjust seasonings; add a splash of vinegar if too sweet or more chile if more heat is desired.
  10. Add the drained kidney beans to the chili during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  11. While the chili simmers, cook the vermicelli or spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
  12. Remove the bay leaves from the chili before serving.
  13. Place a portion of cooked pasta in the bottom of each serving bowl.
  14. Spoon a generous amount of the chili over the pasta.
  15. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and diced raw onion for the classic "5-way" presentation.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 10

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1324.3kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 52.9g82%
Saturated Fat 19.5g98%
Cholesterol 193.2mg65%
Sodium 263.7mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 164.3g55%
Dietary Fiber 42.6g171%
Sugars 2.6g
Protein 80.4g161%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: cincinnati chili, 5 way chili, spaghetti chili, ground beef, kidney beans, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cheddar cheese, spice blend, american comfort food, slow cooked, meat sauce, game day food, family dinner, spiced beef, vermicelli, onion topping, simmered chili, midwestern cuisine
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