Best Spaghetti Squash Cincinnati Chili Recipes

SPAGHETTI SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash directly on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, turning once, until the flesh begins to give and feels tender when pressed.
• Remove the squash from the oven, cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. With a fork, scrape out the flesh into spaghetti-like strands, leaving about a half-inch-thick shell.
• Mix the strands of squash into the hot chili and spoon the mixture back into squash shells. Garnish with sour cream with sliced jalapeno peppers, olives and scallions. If desired, add a border of tortilla chips stuck into the chili.

CHILI CHEESE STUFFED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line one large or two medium rimmed cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil.
• Lop off the top of the spaghetti squash and cut it in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scrape out the seeds. Brush the cut side of each half with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Dust with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place cut-side down on cookie sheet(s) and bake until tender and the squash can easily be pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. You can also microwave the spaghetti squash if you need dinner on the table faster. Here's how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave, along with full instructions on prepping and cooking it both ways.
• While the spaghetti squash cooks, make the chili. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil into a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, green peppers, and oregano and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Add the tomatoes and beans and stir to combine. Cook until it starts to bubble (be careful, it may splatter because it's so thick) then reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes, until heated through. Set aside.
• When spaghetti squash are done cooking, flip them over. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese in the bottom of each half. Fill to the top with chili and top each with remaining cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 20-25 minutes.
• Serve with assorted toppings.

AUTHENTIC CINCINNATI CHILI

Steps:

• Place the ground beef in a large pan, cover with about 1 quart of cold water, and bring to a boil, stirring and breaking up the beef with a fork to a fine texture. Slowly boil until the meat is thoroughly cooked, about 30 minutes, then remove from heat and refrigerate in the pan overnight.
• The next day, skim the solid fat from the top of the pan, and discard the fat. Place the beef mixture over medium heat, and stir in the onions, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, chocolate, chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Add water if necessary to prevent the chili from burning.