Cincinnati Chili 3, 4, or 5 Way

Sue Lau's Note:

An Ohio classic, you can have your chili in more than one way.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

For the Chili

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 onion , chopped fine
• 1 celery rib , chopped fine
• ½ red bell pepper , chopped fine
• 6 cloves garlic , minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon mild paprika
• 2 teaspoons cocoa
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomato puree
• 1 ½ cups water (more or less)

For the Rest

• 16 ounces thin spaghetti or 16 ounces spaghettini , cooked al dente
• 1 (16 ounce) can dark red kidney beans , rinsed and drained
• 1 large sweet onion , finely chopped
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese , finely shredded
• oyster crackers (optional)
• hot pepper sauce (Frank's or Crystal preferred) (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pan brown ground beef along with onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic, breaking up meat as it cooks.
2. Drain any accumulated fat.
3. Add rest of ingredients to pan, mixing well.
4. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Adjust consistency with water as needed.
6. Serve your chili as follows (items for the 3,4, and 5 way listed in ingredients- others may require items not listed).
7. 3-Way: chili, spaghetti, and cheese.
8. 4-Way: a 3-Way plus onions or beans.
9. 5-Way: spaghetti, chili, onions, beans and cheese.
10. Chili spaghetti: spaghetti with chili.
11. Cheese coney: hot dog, bun, mustard, chili, and cheese.
12. Chili cheese sandwich: a coney minus the hot dog.
13. Cincinnati burrito: chili beans wrapped in a tortilla, topped with chili, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and black olives.
14. Cincinnati potato: baked jacket potato topped with chili, diced onions, beans and shredded cheddar cheese.
15. Chili-cheese fries: french fries topped with chili and shredded cheddar cheese.
16. Low-carb Coney: 3 small hot dogs (about 1 1/2 regular) in a bowl covered with chili and cheese.
17. Serve oyster crackers and hot sauce on the side (crackers doused with sauce) or as a topping, if desired.

Reviews

[Tai Chi Momma]

Great recipe to add to our rotation. Served it with spaghetti. Even my toddlers liked this one. Thanks for sharing!

[chia]

very hot/sweet chili that is perfect for everyone since you add what you like. i did the full deal, dh had his beanless, dd had hers over a hot dog. this is the perfect recipe for a family with different tastes, like mine. the chile is much darker in color due to the spices and cocoa, which add so much to the complex flavor. outstanding!