Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili Recipe Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 4

Yes, there’s root beer in this spicy chili, and it adds a nice touch of sweetness. Serve over spaghetti and let everyone add their own favorite toppings.

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Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili Recipe
  • Prep: 25 min. Cook: 30 min.
  • Yield: 4 Servings
25 30 55

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 small green pepper, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup root beer
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • Hot cooked spaghetti
  • Optional toppings: crushed tortilla chips, chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses

Directions

  • In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onions and green pepperover medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the tomatoes, root beer, chili powder, tomato paste, chipotle peppers, cumin and bouillon. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve with spaghetti. Garnish with chips, green onions and cheeses if desired. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 cup (calculated without spaghetti and toppings) equals 310 calories, 15 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 70 mg cholesterol, 662 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 23 g protein.

Originally published as Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili in Taste of Home February/March 2010, p57

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Reviews for Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili

Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili

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(0-17) of 17 reviews

Reviewed on Apr. 01, 2013 by Jenisl

This was okay but being from Cincinnati, it doesn't taste like Cincinnati chili at all.

Reviewed on Aug. 09, 2012 by peavenson

Having tried this recipe and real Cincinnati Chili (yes I boiled the meat, etc) I like this one better. The cocoa was not to my liking in the original Cincinnati......try this one, easy, quick and the right amount of "kick"

In fact, am making tonight for dinner

Reviewed on Feb. 20, 2012 by kcc1108

A bit of a kick to it but not too much and a fair amount of vegetables as well.

Reviewed on Feb. 07, 2012 by Linda Connor

This had quite a "kick" I tamed it down with some cream cheese as well as mild cheddar. Loved by all.

Reviewed on Feb. 02, 2012 by momto4barons

This would never pass as Cincinnati

Chili

Reviewed on Feb. 02, 2012 by lucaswillisamsgrandma

I didn't make this recipe because it is not Cincinnati chili. I am sure it tastes good, but I have no idea why you decided to name it Cincinnati chili-I guess because you served it over spaghetti. It sounds more like a Tex-mex recipe

Reviewed on Feb. 02, 2012 by kitzer

There must be as many recipes for chili as there are for potato salad!! (I didn't know there was 'specific' Cincinnati chili!!)

To me this looks and sounds like 'mexican spaghetti'!!

I'll stick with MY recipe!!!

Reviewed on Feb. 02, 2012 by MillieK

I want to add my voice to the "This is NOT Cincinnati Chili". Though there are several different variations on Cincy Chili (I've been making my own -- original Empress Chili) for over 38 years, this is definitely NOT one of them, not even close..oh, wait, it does use ground beef & onions. I don't deny this might be good, I just wouldn't call it Cincinnati Chili. This is closer to spaghetti sauce with a kick than to Cincy. Chili. There, that's off my chest now. I may try this just because the ingredients sound tasty, but it will be called Rootin-Tootin' Chili around my house for obvious reasons. Like one reader said...where's the cinnamon & cocoa?

Reviewed on Feb. 02, 2012 by pdillard61

I'm sure this is good chili but I agree with the other Cincy natives, this is NOT Cincinnati chili. Cocoa and cinnamon are essential ingredients and you don't brown the meat in the traditional way but cook it in tomato sauce until it's fine in texture. And definitely no root beer!

Reviewed on Nov. 16, 2011 by MommyAustin

My Husband and I thought this was good, but almost too spicy. We love spicy foods, but this dish won't be making another appearance on our table. It was a one-time dish.

Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2011 by collegeave

This had a very good flavor but BOY IT WAS HOT! and I use regular petite diced tomatoes! Would have sent us over the edge if I would have used the tomatoes they called for. So just be ware that it is SPICY HOT

Reviewed on Feb. 27, 2011 by billbaar

NOT Cincinnati Chilli.

There are NO green peppers, no chipotle peppers, no bouillon cube, no tortilla chips, no parmesan cheese and NO Cincinnati love in making this chilli.

It IS missing the Cinnamon, Alspice, oyster crackers, shredded COLBY cheese

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2010 by keepers1118

This was very tasty. I used an orange pepper since I didn't have a green one. I'll try it next time with ground turkey.

Reviewed on May. 31, 2010 by novice_cook

 I kind of wondered the same thing. Seems more Latin American with the chocolate rather than Cincinnati.

Reviewed on May. 31, 2010 by Cook38

Just a quick comment. I've lived in Cincinnati most of my life, and other than being served over spaghetti, I'm curious why you decided to call this Cincinnati chili. The secret here is actually chocolate and cinnamon in the chili, and when it's served, the only toppings we put on are LOTS of finely shredded cheddar, kidney beans, onions, and oyster crackers. Just wondering...

Reviewed on Apr. 16, 2010 by lisalc98

My husbands favorite chili!!

Reviewed on Feb. 09, 2010 by cloreep

This chili was great! I loved the sweet and spicy sauce. I even left out a little of the chipotle peppers and I used regular diced tomatoes and it still had plenty of kick. I also substituted bulk pork sausage for half of the ground beef. I would love to add beans and use this as a regular chili without the noodles. But it was really fantastic!

 
 

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