Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti is one of my family’s all time favorite dinners. It’s really easy to make but the chocolate in the sauce makes it extra special.

Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti

2 teaspoons olive oil

1-pound ground turkey

1 large onion

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8-teaspoon ground allspice

1/8-teaspoon ground cloves

1 large bay leaf, broken in half

1 can (16 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (141/2 ounces) defatted lower-sodium beef broth

1-tablespoon cider vinegar

½ ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped

Salt to taste

1-pound spaghetti

1½ cups grated cheddar cheese (optional)

1½ cups chopped onion (optional)

1 can (16 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil and cook the turkey, onion, and garlic over medium-low heat, stirring often until the onion is tender and the turkey is white, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off drippings.

Add the chili powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer.

Stir in the oregano, cayenne, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and bay leaf. Add the tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, and chocolate.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer until the sauce is the consistency of a thin chili, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Discard the bay leaf and season to taste with salt. (this recipe can be prepared up to 2 days ahead to this point and refrigerated. Reheat to a simmer before serving.)
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, 7 to 9 minutes.  Drain well.
Place the spaghetti on a serving platter or individual plates. Ladle the sauce over the spaghetti and serve with the optional cheese or onion garnishes.

Originally published on October 29th 2011