3 Way Chili Recipe (Cincinnati Style Skyline Copycat)

If you’ve never tried 3 way chili Cincinnati-style, you’re in for a wild ride. Picture this: seasoned meat sauce loaded with cinnamon and chocolate, served over spaghetti and piled high with shredded cheddar cheese. It sounds weird, I know, but trust me – this is about to become your new comfort food obsession.

Get ready for a flavor rollercoaster as we dive into the quirky world of Cincinnati chili! This 3 way chili recipe is a Cincinnati classic that’ll take your taste buds on a ride you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re a Skyline fanatic or you’ve never heard of this Ohio specialty, I’m about to show you how to make this iconic dish at home.

My Cincinnati Chili Journey

Now, let me spill the beans—I’m not a true Cincinnatian. Born and raised in Dayton, I found myself in the Queen City after graduating from the University of Cincinnati. And boy, I had to adjust to the local quirks—pig statues everywhere, Bengals disappointments (sorry, fans!), and the infamous Cincinnati chili, most famously sold at Skyline Chili, Gold Star Chili, or other local chili parlors.

But there’s one thing I just can’t get behind—Cheese Coneys. Sorry, Cincinnati, hot dogs and this spiced meat sauce aren’t my jam. Blame a bad childhood experience with a sketchy hot dog vendor. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s talk about why you should trust me with this 3 way chili recipe.

Cincinnati Chili Culture Shock

Picture this: chili on spaghetti noodles. Yes, you heard that right! As a chili lover, I was SO skeptical when I first heard about it. Cinnamon, allspice, and CHOCOLATE in chili? Madness! It took me years to give it a shot, starting with chili cheese fries at Skyline. Not bad, I thought. Then, I went all-in with a 3-Way Cincinnati chili dish, and surprise, surprise—I absolutely loved it! The layers of textures, the explosion of flavors, and let’s not forget, the cheese. Oh, the cheese makes this whole thing work!

What Makes Cincinnati Chili Different?

Cincinnati chili isn’t your typical Texas-style chili. It’s more of a spiced meat sauce than a traditional thick, bean-heavy chili. The secret? A unique blend of Mediterranean-inspired spices including cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and unsweetened chocolate. This gives it that distinctive sweet-savory flavor that locals crave.

The dish gets its name from how it’s served. A “3-Way” specifically means spaghetti noodles on the bottom, Cincinnati chili meat sauce in the middle, and a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Simple, but absolutely delicious.

Quick Guide to Cincinnati Chili “Ways”:

2-Way: Spaghetti + chili
3-Way: Spaghetti + chili + cheese (this recipe!)
4-Way: Add either diced onions OR kidney beans
5-Way: Spaghetti + chili + cheese + onions + beans (the works!)

Ingredients You’ll Need for 3 Way Chili

Here’s what makes this Cincinnati chili recipe so good:

For the Chili:

Ground beef (lean works best)
Onions and garlic
Tomato sauce, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes
Hot chili beans
The secret spice blend: chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg
Unsweetened chocolate (trust me!)
Brown sugar
Worcestershire sauce
Chipotle sauce for depth
Red wine
Bay leaf

For Serving:

Oyster crackers
Spaghetti noodles
Sharp cheddar cheese (the sharper, the better!)
Diced onions (optional)

How to Make Cincinnati Chili at Home

Making this 3 way chili at home is easier than you think. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Build Your Base Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven and sauté onions until they’re soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 3 minutes – just don’t let it burn!

Step 2: Brown the Beef Add your ground beef and cook until it’s completely browned. Here’s a pro tip: use your spatula to chop the beef into very fine pieces as it cooks. Cincinnati chili should have a fine, almost ground texture, not chunky pieces of meat.

Step 3: Add the Tomato Base Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chipotle sauce, chili beans, and water. Bring everything to a simmer.

Step 4: The Magic Spice Blend This is where Cincinnati chili gets its signature flavor. Add Worcestershire sauce, red wine, chili seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, bay leaf, and that piece of unsweetened chocolate. Stir until the chocolate melts completely into the sauce. The brown sugar balances all those warm spices perfectly.

Step 5: Let It Simmer Let the chili simmer on low heat for at least 30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the better the flavors meld together. I usually let mine go for 45 minutes to an hour if I have time.

Tips for the Best 3 Way Chili

Use Lean Ground Beef: Since the chili cooks for a while, leaner beef (90/10 or 93/7) works best. You won’t end up with a greasy sauce.

Chop the Meat Fine: Cincinnati chili has a distinct texture – the meat should be very finely ground, almost like a Bolognese sauce. Use your spatula to break it up as much as possible while it cooks.

Don’t Skip the Chocolate: I know it sounds weird, but the unsweetened chocolate adds richness and depth without making it taste like dessert. It’s essential to have authentic Cincinnati chili!

Quality Cheese Matters: Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, not pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Plus, sharp cheddar gives you that tangy bite that cuts through the rich meat sauce.

Make It Ahead: Cincinnati chili actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop. Make it a day ahead and reheat when you’re ready to serve.

Serving Your 3 Way Chili

Here’s how to assemble the perfect 3-Way like they do at Skyline:

Cook your spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
Place a generous portion of spaghetti on each plate.
Ladle the hot Cincinnati chili over the spaghetti.
Top with a mountain of shredded sharp cheddar cheese – don’t be shy!
Add diced raw onions if desired (this makes it a 4-Way).
Serve with oyster crackers on the side.

The hot chili melts the cheese slightly, creating this amazing creamy, spicy, sweet situation that’s absolutely addictive.

Making It Your Own: Variations

While purists might protest, here are some ways to customize your 3 way chili:

Spice Level: Add more cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños if you like it spicier. Cincinnati chili is traditionally mild, but there’s no reason you can’t kick it up!

Vegetarian Version: Swap the ground beef for plant-based ground meat or finely chopped mushrooms. The spice blend is so flavorful that it still works beautifully.

Different Pasta: While spaghetti is traditional, you can use any pasta shape you like. Penne or rigatoni work great for holding onto all that saucy goodness.

Skyline Chili Copycat: If you want it to taste exactly like Skyline, use a bit less chocolate and add an extra pinch of cinnamon. Skyline’s version is slightly sweeter and has a more pronounced cinnamon flavor.

Why Cincinnati Chili is Worth Making at Home

Making Cincinnati chili at home gives you control over the spice level, the meat-to-sauce ratio, and lets you pile on as much cheese as your heart desires (and your cholesterol allows). Plus, it’s actually pretty economical – you can feed a crowd for not much money.

The leftovers are incredibly versatile too. Use leftover Cincinnati chili for chili cheese fries, chili dogs (if you’re into that, unlike me!), or even as a topping for baked potatoes. Some people even eat it cold the next day straight from the container. No judgment here!

Commonly Asked Questions

What makes 3 way chili different from regular chili?

Three way chili (Cincinnati-style) is a spiced meat sauce rather than traditional thick chili. It includes unexpected ingredients like cinnamon, allspice, and chocolate, and it’s served over spaghetti instead of being eaten like stew. The texture is thinner and the flavor profile is sweet-savory rather than just spicy.

What’s the difference between a 3-Way, 4-Way, and 5-Way Cincinnati chili?

The numbers refer to layers of toppings. A 3-Way includes spaghetti, chili, and cheese. A 4-Way adds either diced onions OR kidney beans. A 5-Way includes spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, AND beans – it’s the full experience!

Can I make Cincinnati chili in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the ground beef, onions, and garlic first on the stovetop, then transfer everything to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The long, slow cooking makes the flavors even better.

Why is there chocolate in Cincinnati chili?

The unsweetened chocolate adds richness and depth to the sauce without making it taste sweet or desserty. It’s a common ingredient in Cincinnati chili and helps balance the warm spices like cinnamon and allspice.

What’s the best cheese for 3 way chili?

Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese is traditional and works best. The tangy, sharp flavor cuts through the rich meat sauce perfectly. Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting.

Can I freeze Cincinnati chili?

Yes! Cincinnati chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store it in airtight containers and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Don’t freeze the assembled dish – freeze just the chili and make fresh pasta when you’re ready to eat.

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