Skyline Chili is a beloved dish that originated in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unlike traditional chili, this dish is characterized by its smooth and slightly sweet sauce, fragrant spices, and a touch of cinnamon. What sets it apart even further is the way it is served—typically over spaghetti noodles and topped with a variety of ingredients, such as shredded cheese, onions, and kidney beans. If you’ve never tried this iconic Ohio dish, now’s the time!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- Cooked spaghetti noodles, for serving
- Shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, kidney and/or black beans (optional toppings)
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up into crumbles. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the chili powder, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, ground allspice, ground cloves, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cocoa powder to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the chili uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- To serve Cincinnati Skyline Chili, place a serving of cooked spaghetti noodles in a bowl or on a plate. Add a helping of onion and beans if desired then ladle the chili over the noodles and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Notes
For a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree a portion of the chili before adding the diced tomatoes. This will create a thicker sauce. Feel free to make this recipe in advance for even better flavor. Like many chili recipes, Cincinnati Skyline Chili tends to taste even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld together. Consider making a larger batch and enjoying leftovers. Go ahead and get creative with toppings. While shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, and beans are the classics, feel free to experiment with sour cream, hot sauce, or crushed crackers. Enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
