By the time my annual chili contest wraps up, I swear off chili for a solid few weeks. Chili for 10-12 weeks straight is…enough. Even for me. But after a few weeks, sure enough…I’m back to happily enjoying chili. I don’t stay away for long, regardless of the season. Good thing, too, since I still have a ton of it in my freezer that we’re slowing making our way through.
Chili can be anything you want it to be – spicy, savory, sweet, vegan, vegetarian, meaty, beany.
I love chili served simply in a bowl with perhaps some oyster crackers and cheese. I love it over a baked potato or served up with eggs for a breakfast for dinner. But my favorite way to eat chili is served over pasta. I grew up eating chili over pasta and it just feels like home to me. If you think it sounds weird, you absolutely must try it.
There’s few things I rave about in Ohio, but Cincinnati-Style Chili is one of them. The chili is meaty, rich, slightly sweet, and has a special touch of cinnamon and chocolate that gives it a smoky flavor.
I do regret not eating more Skyline chili while living in Columbus. Skyline is the original Cincinnati-style chili with this unique combination of flavors, but fortunately, it’s as simple as a two-step crock pot recipe to recreate at home. This chili is incredible as leftovers and freezes great for later dates.
Once you try Cincinnati-style chili…over pasta, your previous chili experiences will most definitely be one-upped!
- 2 lbs 90% lean ground beef
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 8 oz tomato paste
- 5 Tbsp chili powder
- 2½ Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp allspice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp steak sauce
- 3 cups water
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, breaking up with a wooden spoon; transfer to the crock pot.
- Add all remaining ingredients to crock pot. Stir well, and cook on low for 8-12 hours.
We got 5-6 more inches of snow over night…baaah!! 🙁
Be well,
This looks ridiculously good! I haven’t had Cinn style in awhile but now I think I’ll have to make this!
I live in Cincy now, and I just can’t love Skyline. However, when I’ve eaten homemade versions, I enjoy them. Weird right???
I lived in Columbus, Ohio for a couple of years during High School and I’ve still never had Cincinnati chili. I can see I am missing out. You have one of my favorite ingredients in this chili, chocolate. I think it is amazing in a savory dish. Can’t wait to try this.
I have to admit I’m a chili over rice girl but this chili looks aca-awesome.
I’ve never served chili over anything. That might have to change.
I loves me some Cincinnati chili – it’s my husbands favorite since he doesn’t like beans – I make mine five way – pasta, cheese, oyster crackers, black beans and kidney beans – yum!
Hooray! I just bought ground beef today to make some of this and the crock pot saves my life when I’m low on time all week! 🙂 Can’t wait to try your recipe. Ps…that is not nearly enough cheese on that bowl of chili you have there. 😉
This dish is very delicious! But if you are on a diet, you can drink the Swami Mami Teas because it has taken hold of health-minded individuals around the world because of its proven benefits inside the human body.
wow these look great
Yum! I love cincinatti chili. 🙂
You have hit a homerun with this recipe (coming from a Cincinnati native)! My hubby and I really enjoyed your recipe tonight! We will be repeating for sure! Thanks!
Thanks, Katie! Glad you enjoyed it!