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Chili Spaghetti

This Chili Spaghetti recipe falls into the category of tummy filling meals that won’t break the bank. The simple ingredients start with lean ground beef and light red kidney beans all smothered in a robust homemade chili sauce. After cooking until the flavors have perfectly married, the chili is then tossed with steamy al dente spaghetti. Top it off with a heaping helping of cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream and for the finishing touch a sprinkling of sliced green onion for crunch.

single serving Chili Spaghetti

Easy Chili Spaghetti Recipe

This chili spaghetti is one I serve when I have a crew to fill-up on a dime. It’s a tasty, albeit subtle, change to a straight-up bowl of chili. Serve it topped with sour cream and cheese for an insanely delicious casual meal. How to make easy Chili Spaghetti: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Pasta – Prepare spaghetti per the package directions cooking in salted water until al dente. Drain well.
  • Vegetables – Drizzle a large skillet with olive oil. Add the diced onion and poblano pepper. cooking over medium-high heat until softened and beginning to brown. Add the garlic cooking for 1 minute longer.
  • Ground Beef – Add the ground beef to the pan. Continue to cook over medium-high until browned and no pink remains. Drain all excess fat from the pan.
  • Mix-Ins- To the skillet add the seasoned tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, garlic salt and lemon pepper with the cooked beef. Stir well.
  • Cook – Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Assemble – To serve, toss half of the chili with the cooked spaghetti.
  • Garnish – Divide into serving bowls and top with additional chili then finish with your favorite toppings.
easy Chili Spaghetti recipe

How to Make the Best Chili Spaghetti Recipe

This recipe for Chili spaghetti is sometimes referred to as Cincinnati spaghetti. It’s the same concept, just with a few ingredient twists straight from my kitchen to yours.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Chili Spaghetti recipe: Olive oil, poblano peppers, diced onion, lean ground beef, garlic cloves, dark chili powder, Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce to enhance the flavor of the beef, light red kidney beans, ground cumin, garlic salt, lemon pepper and cooked spaghetti.
  • To save time, the chili sauce can be made in advance then warmed and tossed with the cooked spaghetti just before serving. You can also freeze the chili sauce for up to 2 months. It’s a great way to have ingredients ready to go on busy days.
  • You could adapt the chili sauce recipe using ground chicken or ground turkey.
  • If you’re unsure of the cooking time for al dente spaghetti, follow the instructions on the back of the package to get it right.
  • To get everyone involved in dinner preparation, set-up a toppings bar for serving. Stock it with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, pickled jalapenos, cilantro and sliced black olives or any of your favorite chili fisings. Let everyone build their own personal culinary masterpiece.
  • Store leftover chili spaghetti in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in single portions in the microwave.
  • This dish is delicious served with a side of crackers like it’s Cincinnati cousin or for us, apiece of warm buttered Green Chile Cheddar Cornbread or sweet Skillet Honey Cornbread seals the deal.
how to make Chili Spaghetti

More Southern Style Chili Recipes to Make

Serve this kicking spaghetti on game day or any day that you need delicious family friendly eats. You may also like to try these chili inspired recipes:

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Chili Spaghetti

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: chili-recipes, chili-spaghetti, spaghetti-recipes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 631kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 lb spaghetti cooked
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 medium poblano pepper seeded and diced
  • Olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves finely diced
  • 2 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 10 oz cans Rotel Chili Fixin's seasoned tomatoes
  • 1 16 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 16 oz can light red kidney beans, drained
  • 2 Tbsp dark chili powder
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic salt add more or less to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • Assorted toppings: shredded cheddar cheese sour cream, sliced green onion, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, sliced black olives

Instructions

  • Prepare spaghetti per the package directions cooking in salted water until al dente. Drain well and keep warm.
  • Drizzle a large skillet with olive oil. Add the diced onion and poblano pepper. cooking over medium-high heat until softened and beginning to brown. Add the garlic cooking for 1 minute longer.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan. Continue to cook over medium-high until browned and no pink remains. Drain all excess fat from the pan.
  • To the skillet add the seasoned tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, garlic salt and lemon pepper with the cooked beef. Stir well.
  • Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • To serve, toss half of the chili with the cooked spaghetti. Divide into serving bowls and top with additional chili then finish with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 631kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1890mg | Potassium: 1025mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 884IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 8mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

7 Comments

  1. Too funny that we both posted chili spaghetti recipes around the same time! Great minds definitely do think alike! Lol. It’s a big family favorite in our house, I’m going to have to try your version too!

    1. It’s true Michelle, great minds. ☺ We’re both feeding families and this one goes a long way with my boys. Yours looks amazing, too!

  2. I experienced Chili Spaghetti in Cincinnati some years back and have been a fan ever since. Haven’t had it for awhile, but have a bunch coming over for Soccer Sunday and this will be the main.

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