Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp tomato paste (divided, (6 oz. can) $0.86)
• 5 cups cold water ($0.00)
• 1 lb. ground beef (80/20, $5.94)
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped, (1 cup, 150g), $0.70)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced, (1 Tbsp) $0.21)
• 2 Tbsp chili powder ($0.16*)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon ($0.06)
• ½ tsp ground allspice ($0.04)
• ¼ tsp ground cloves ($0.02)
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ($0.04**)
• 1 tsp ground cumin ($0.04)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.08)
• 1 tsp dried oregano ($0.04)
• 1 tsp salt ($0.04***)
• ½ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.08)
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar ($0.04)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce ($0.02)
• 1 tsp molasses ($0.06 )
• 1 lb. spaghetti (uncooked, $0.98)
• 8 oz. mild cheddar cheese (finely shredded, $1.94****)
• ½ cup white onion (finely diced, (75g) $0.35)

Instructions

1. Gather and prep all ingredients.
2. Whisk
3. In a large pot, whisk 5 Tbsp of tomato paste into 5 cups of cold water over medium heat until fully dissolved.
4. Boil
5. Add the ground beef, onion, garlic, all spices, vinegar, Worcestershire, and molasses. Bring to a boil, breaking up the beef with a whisk until it’s very fine in texture.
6. Simmer
7. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 1-1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and reduced. Taste for seasoning, adjust if need be.**
8. Cook the spaghetti
9. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
10. Toss
11. In a large bowl, whisk the reserved pasta water with the remaining 1 Tbsp tomato paste. Toss the hot pasta in this mixture to coat evenly.
12. Serve
13. Spoon the Skyline-style chili generously over the pasta and top with shredded cheddar and diced onion. For an optional classic touch, add oyster crackers and a dash of hot sauce.