Ohio

Cincinnati Chili Mac and Cheese

Cincinnati's unique chili - brought by Macedonian immigrants and seasoned with cinnamon and chocolate - transforms mac and cheese into a 5-way experience. Spaghetti becomes elbow mac in this Queen City tribute.

⏱50 min 🍴Serves 6 Medium

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Combine raw ground beef with water and tomato sauce in a pot. Break into tiny pieces.
  3. Add chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, and cocoa. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. The chili should be thin and saucy, not thick - add water if needed.
  5. Warm kidney beans in a separate small pot.
  6. Build your 5-way: Start with pasta, add beans, ladle chili over top.
  7. Cover generously with finely shredded cheddar - it should melt from the heat.
  8. Top with diced raw onion. Serve with hot sauce and oyster crackers.

Pro Tips

  • Cincinnati chili must be finely shredded cheddar - pre-shredded bags won't work the same!
  • The "ways": 2-way (pasta+chili), 3-way (+cheese), 4-way (+onions), 5-way (+beans).
  • The cinnamon and chocolate are what make it Cincinnati-style - trust the process!
  • Skyline and Gold Star are the famous Cincinnati chili parlors - each has devoted fans.