Spaghetti Squash Cincinnati Chili Recipes

CINCINNATI-STYLE CHILI

Steps:

• For the chili: In a stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, onions, chili powder, cocoa powder, sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, cumin, garlic salt, allspice, pepper, cayenne, cloves, bay leaves, beef (do not brown first) and 2 cups water. Mix until combined. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 2 hours. Stir in the vinegar and simmer for another 30 minutes.
• To serve: Serve on a bed of spaghetti and top with the beans, onions and a mound of cheese (or any preferred combination). Add hot sauce, if desired, and eat with oyster crackers.

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.

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.

SPICED TURKEY CHILI WITH SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Season squash with 1 tsp. salt. Arrange face down on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake squash until interior is tender when flipped and prodded with a fork, 20-40 minutes depending on size.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, deep-sided skillet over high. Add turkey and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add allspice, cinnamon, cayenne, three-quarters of the onion, and 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 minutes. Increase heat to high. Stir in vinegar, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Add broth, beans, tomato sauce, and cocoa powder and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Season with salt, if needed.
• Scrape spaghetti squash out into strands with a fork. Divide among bowls, then spoon chili over. Top with parsley, olives, and remaining chopped onion.