Chef John's Cincinnati-Style Chili

Enjoy a hearty bowl of Chef John's Cincinnati-style chili, packed with ground beef, warm spices, and served over spaghetti with a variety of toppings.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Spaghetti or hot dogs, for serving
• Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and oyster crackers, for topping

Directions

1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes.
2. Add onions and garlic to the pot and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, cloves, and nutmeg. Cook for 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices.
4. Pour in beef broth, water, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. To serve, cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and divide among serving bowls. Ladle the chili over the spaghetti.
8. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and oyster crackers, if desired.
9. Enjoy your homemade Cincinnati-style chili!

Interesting Facts