Slow Cooker Cincinnati-Style Chili over Spaghetti
A hearty slow cooker chili with a unique blend of spices and ground beef, served over spaghetti for a comforting twist on classic chili. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs ground beef, medium yellow onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced onions for garnish
- 1/2 cup kidney beans, drained (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound ground beef with 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves until beef is fully cooked and onions are translucent, about 6-8 minutes; drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 15 oz tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; stir well.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Step 4: About 15 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain.
- Step 5: To serve, place a portion of spaghetti on each plate, ladle chili over the top, and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup diced onions. Add 1/2 cup drained kidney beans on the side if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Cincinnati-Style Chili over Spaghetti take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Cincinnati-Style Chili over Spaghetti?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Cincinnati-Style Chili over Spaghetti?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Cincinnati-Style Chili over Spaghetti for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow Cooker Cincinnati-Style Chili over Spaghetti?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
