Home ยป Cincinnati Skyline Chili {Crock Pot}

Cincinnati Skyline Chili {Crock Pot}

Growing up, my mom made the best chili (she still does, I’m sure…but I haven’t had any in years 🙁 ). It wasn’t a recipe as much as it was a 6th sense — it always tasted the same. And, it was always served over pasta. Always.

I like chili just as is in a bowl, but there’s something extra special about chili over pasta. Comfort food at its finest, I guess. And seeing as we are now Ohio residents, it was only appropriate to try Cincinnati-style chili (the Cincinnati-style chili restaurant is called Skyline). Approve!

While this photo is…terrible and pretty unappetizing, you can’t judge this recipe on its looks. This is a recipe Mr. Prevention took as leftovers for lunch — something he NEVER does (for some reason, the cafeteria’s pizza or chicken fingers always win out over my leftovers). That’s how I know it’s good, and husband-approved. And I would like to take this opportunity to pat myself on the back. I have been taking full advantage of my crock pot, just as planned 😀

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Cincinnati Skyline Chili slightly adapted from Crock Pot Tuesdays and allrecipes.com

2 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (I used 90/10, ground sirloin)
15 oz. can tomato sauce
8 oz. tomato paste (1 1/3 cans)
5 Tbsp chili powder
2 1/2 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp steak sauce
4 3 1/2 cups water

Directions:

Brown ground beef lightly on stove top. Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Stir well, and cook on low for 12 hours or longer. Yield: 8 cups (8 servings).

Nutrition Information (per cup): 273 calories; 13.1 g. fat; 71 mg. cholesterol; 675 mg. sodium; 16.9 g. carbohydrate; 4.6 g. fiber; 24.8 g. protein

Result: Mr. Prevention and I really liked this…it is something totally unique and has a touch of something special in the way of cinnamon, nutmeg, and chocolate, I do believe! This has a kick but isn’t spicy. That may not make sense, but it will after you try it. Delicious, and very simple! You can cook it as looong as you need to, too…always a bonus! Enjoy!

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Hopefully today brings some more favorable weather. On a positive weather-related note, Lily now knows how to ice skate 😀 Yesterday was a most enjoyable, lazy day which included nearly clearing out the DVR, watching the Shawshank Redemption (favorite movie of all time), crying for 15 minutes after the movie finished, and a cat nap on the couch. There was a good workout thrown in there, too (3 1/4 mile run + 20 minutes on the elliptical)…but that was certainly not the highlight of my yesterday…if I’m being honest 🙂 Maybe because I had watched everything good on the DVR? Probably. Sometimes, we all need a good, lazy snow day!

Of course I played some in the kitchen. I shredded brussels sprouts, diced a honeycrisp apple, and toasted some pine nuts only to run out of creativity to formulate a dressing. The components are now all in my fridge awaiting some creativity juices to flow, or unless somsone has a brilliant suggestion for me? 🙂 And then there was online shopping…Williams Sonoma…a glass cake stand with a dome lid. At least I stopped there.

Because then came my ingenious idea for a Valentine’s Day gift for Mr. P: a deep clean of our house. However, Molly Maids quoted me nearly $275. Too rich for my blood. Any ideas on Valentine’s Day gifts? It can be more romantic than a maid, no problem. 😉

Question: Do you eat your chili as is, or atop pasta or rice?

Happy Thursday,

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24 Comments

  1. Rachel Palmieri
    February 3, 2011 / 7:15 am

    Dave will love you for posting this chili recipe! Thanks! And if you are looking for a dressing, start off with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt and mix in some honey…and then go from there if you need to!

  2. Julie @SavvyEats
    February 3, 2011 / 7:25 am

    We lived in the Cincinnati area for 12 years, so whenever we are back visiting family, my sister and dad insist on at least one trip to Skyline. Since that isn’t very often, I’ve taken to making my own as well– it is one of my specialties, and we’ve introduced a lot of Wisconsinites and New Yorkers to the the wonder that is Cinci chili. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    February 3, 2011 / 8:10 am

    I just learned people put chili over spaghetti. I’d never heard of that. I don’t do it, but I guess it’s a regional thing.

    I know this isn’t the recipe you were making, but I’ve been planning to try this shredded brussels sprouts salad, and maybe the dressing will work on yours: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/brussels-sprout-salad-recipe.html

  4. Kristina
    February 3, 2011 / 8:13 am

    Sounds like you had a great lazy day-those are my fav! I usually eat mine as is-but now i’m thinking I want to try it with some rice-yum!

  5. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
    February 3, 2011 / 9:20 am

    I’ve never heard of eating chili over rice or pasta, but it sounds yummy!

  6. Amy B @ Second City Randomness
    February 3, 2011 / 9:22 am

    I have never heard of chili on top of pasta? Kind of like the idea, though. I always feel the need to pair it with a carb of some sort- I think it’s a comfort food necessity.

    Where I’m from, we have a weird combo of chili and cinnamon rolls (no icing on them). Maybe it’s a sweet/savory thing? Don’t know, but it’s quite fantastic. And brings back memories for sure.

  7. Nicole
    February 3, 2011 / 9:47 am

    The best way to eat Cincinnati Chili is a 5 way: spaghetti, cincinnati chili, kidney beans, diced onion, and loads of shredded cheddar cheese. Top each bite off with a dot of hot sauce (Skyline’s is the best!) and an oyster cracker.

  8. renee@mykitchenadventures
    February 3, 2011 / 9:49 am

    Um…you forgot the cheese…lol Isn’t skyline chili without the cheese on top! lol I agree…its a unique flavor and texture dish….almost more spaghetti sauce like than chili like.

    I say go someplace WARM…where there is no snow and no ice….lol

  9. Holly
    February 3, 2011 / 10:46 am

    Are you on Groupon? They ALWAYS have specials for house cleaning! Usually it’s around $75-$100 for 2-3 hours, I think? Or maybe ask for a day at the spa? ๐Ÿ™‚

    I am strange and actually don’t like pasta with my chili. ๐Ÿ™ I’ll eat it, but I actually kind of ilke it without it!

  10. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
    February 3, 2011 / 10:54 am

    The chili recipe looks amazing!! I eat my chili all by itself. I think it tastes great that way!

  11. Leah @ Why Deprive?
    February 3, 2011 / 11:57 am

    I’ve never eaten chili on top of anything before. Thats a good idea though, I like it! I just always make sure to have it with a piece of bread slathered in butter. So. Good.

  12. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
    February 3, 2011 / 12:01 pm

    Two unique elements to this chili – topped on pasta and chocolate chips. I’ve used cocoa powder in chili before but never chocolate chips. So daring! Husband approved is always good in my book ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    February 3, 2011 / 12:20 pm

    I like it in a bowl with a big hunk of bread on the side.

    Matt will eat anything over pasta.

  14. Georgie Fear RD
    February 3, 2011 / 1:42 pm

    For the gift – how about you rent/buy a DVD he loves (or DVR something he wants to see) and plant him on the couch to watch it with something yummy to eat (Nachos? What red-blooded male doesn’t like Nachos?) and you clean the house in your underwear ? ๐Ÿ˜‰

  15. Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life)
    February 3, 2011 / 1:50 pm

    So funny- I never ate chili over pasta, but my Grandma lives in Green Bay and they always serve it over pasta. I heard it’s a northern thing. Who doesn’t love a little extra pasta though?!

  16. thehealthyapron
    February 3, 2011 / 3:58 pm

    I have never eaten chili over pasta but I adore chili…just not the meat based kind and it cannot be super spicy!! I’m picky about my chili ha

  17. Gina (The Candid RD)
    February 3, 2011 / 8:30 pm

    I seriously love that Cincinnati chili has chocolate and cinnamon. I always knew cinnamon was great in Italian foods (my grandma used to add it to her lasagna) but the chocolate addition is so unique! We used to live within walking distance of a Skiline when I was in College (dangerous) and I never asked for pasta with my chili. I usually just have the chili (or any chili) with CHEESE!

    $275 for a cleaning? Maybe once a year…

  18. Lee
    February 3, 2011 / 9:19 pm

    I eat it as is, but my mom is a big fan of chili over rice.

  19. Jenn
    February 6, 2011 / 11:48 am

    Hi, I’m making this today for our Super Bowl dinner – Go Steelers! Anyway, I’m going to assume that for the water, the 4 was suppose to have been crossed out and you only used 3 1/2 cups of water? At least that’s what I’m hoping b/c that’s what I ended up doing.

    Thank you for posting the recipe, can’t wait to try it. Never had chili over noodles!

  20. Tricia
    February 6, 2011 / 11:57 am

    Glad you liked this! Now I have a craving for it … haha.

  21. Georgie
    February 6, 2011 / 9:37 pm

    Okay – I made a variation of this! Well it’s in the crockpot, and will cook tomorrow during the day ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m excited! I replaced one pound of the beef with 2 cans of beans (to cut costs and I’m working on my excessive meat consumption!) I also added 1 T of ancho chile powder and used cocoa because I had no chocolate, and Worcestershire sauce because I had no steak sauce. So it’s some kind of chili…not Cincinnati per se. I’ll call it “Middle of Nowhere chili” ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. Vicki
    February 9, 2011 / 1:18 pm

    I finally got a chance to make this last night. It was very good! I take it the nutritional info is only for the chili? Not the pasta too? Thanks for a great, easy recipe!

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