Pasta
Skyline Chili Inspired 3-Way
Steaming spaghetti layered with finely textured, warmly spiced Cincinnati-style beef chili and a towering mound of finely shredded cheddar.
Inspired by Skyline Chili
Prep
20 min
Cook
75 min
Serves
6 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 17 ingredients
- • 2 pounds ground beef, 85/15
- • 4 cups cold water
- • 1 small yellow onion, grated
- • 3 garlic cloves, minced
- • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- • 2 tablespoons chili powder
- • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- • 1 pound spaghetti
- • 4 cups finely shredded mild cheddar cheese
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 2 pounds ground beef, 85/15Missing
- 4 cups cold waterMissing
- 1 small yellow onion, gratedMissing
- 3 garlic cloves, mincedMissing
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauceMissing
- 2 tablespoons tomato pasteMissing
- 2 tablespoons chili powderMissing
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powderMissing
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cuminMissing
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamonMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspiceMissing
- 1/8 teaspoon ground clovesMissing
- 1 teaspoon kosher saltMissing
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauceMissing
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegarMissing
- 1 pound spaghettiMissing
- 4 cups finely shredded mild cheddar cheeseMissing
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Method
Recipe notes
This unofficial recreation uses the Cincinnati method of dispersing raw ground beef in water for an exceptionally fine chili texture. Cinnamon, allspice, clove, cocoa, and vinegar create the aromatic profile beneath unmelted cheddar.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate chili, spaghetti, and cheddar in separate containers within 2 hours for up to 4 days. Reheat chili and pasta to 165°F, then add cold shredded cheese.
Make-ahead tips
Prepare chili up to 3 days ahead; its spice profile deepens overnight. Cook fresh spaghetti and shred the cheddar shortly before serving for distinct layers.
What to serve with it
- - Oyster crackers
- - Simple green salad
- - Hot pepper sauce
Equipment needed
- - Heavy soup pot
- - Potato masher or sturdy whisk
- - Large pasta pot
Difficulty explained
The technique is unusual but forgiving; a gentle uncovered simmer is what develops the fine consistency and concentrated spice profile.
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Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Monterey Jack
Use the same amount of freshly shredded Monterey Jack.
Ground turkey
Use an equal weight of 85-93% lean ground turkey.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Browning the beef first creates chunky crumbles and misses the signature fine Cincinnati chili texture.
- A hard boil muddies the spices and reduces unevenly; maintain a steady gentle simmer instead.
- Melting the cheddar into the sauce erases the recognizable three-layer spaghetti, chili, and cheese presentation.
Nutrition Context
- Beef and cheddar make the dish protein-rich, while spaghetti provides most of the carbohydrates.
- Cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned chili contribute sodium; a fresh salad offers useful contrast.
FAQ
What does 3-Way mean?
It refers to three layers: spaghetti, Cincinnati-style chili, and a generous mound of shredded cheddar.
Why start ground beef in cold water?
Breaking it apart before heating creates the exceptionally fine meat texture associated with Cincinnati chili.
Does the chili taste like dessert because of cinnamon?
No. The warm spices are subtle and aromatic, balanced by beef, tomato, chili powder, and vinegar.
Do beans belong in a 3-Way?
No. Adding beans makes a 4-Way variation; the 3-Way uses only spaghetti, chili, and cheese.
Why use so much finely shredded cheese?
The tall airy cheddar layer is a defining visual and provides a cool, creamy contrast to the hot chili.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Oyster crackers; Simple green salad; Hot pepper sauce. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.