Cincinnati Chilli Three Way (Spiced Beef Chilli over Spaghetti)
A finely textured, warmly spiced beef chilli ladled over spaghetti and buried under a mountain of grated cheddar.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 15
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.73 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the mince and the water in a large pan over a medium heat. Break up the mince with a spoon or potato masher as it warms, so it stays fine and does not clump. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Add the onion, garlic, chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cocoa and salt and stir well.
- 3
Stir in your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and the vinegar. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes, stirring often, until thick and glossy.
40 min - 4
Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water for 9 to 11 minutes until just tender. Drain well.
10 min - 5
Pile the spaghetti on plates, spoon over a generous layer of chilli, then top with mounds of the cheddar. For a four way, add finely chopped raw onion; for a five way, add warm kidney beans too.
Tips
- Simmering the mince in water first, rather than browning it, gives the fine, saucy texture this chilli is known for.
- Cocoa and cinnamon are classic here. Both are used in small amounts so they add depth, not sweetness.
- Grate the cheese finely and pile it high. It melts into the hot chilli.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes. Keep the chilli in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is a three way?
Three way means three layers: spaghetti, chilli and cheese. A four way adds chopped onion or beans, and a five way adds both.
Is Cincinnati chilli spicy?
Not very. It is more warmly spiced than hot. Add cayenne or hot sauce to taste.
Can I make it gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free spaghetti. The chilli itself contains no wheat.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.