Oddly enough right here in Memphis, we have a group of friends from Cincinnati, and it just so happens they all went to UC! It's become a tradition for us to tailgate together and attend the Memphis vs. UC games every other year when the Bearcats come to town. So this year, we will be eating my Baked Skyline Chili. Thanks to these great friends, I was introduced to Skyline Chili a few years ago, and being a chili lover, I've been absolutely hooked ever since. So I thought I would try to replicate the recipe (I have to say it's pretty spot on), but I gave it a little makeover by baking it, casserole style. This makes it easy to transport and serve at tailgates and gameday. I promise, you don't have to be a Bearcat to fall in love with this dish!
Grocery list:
2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 medium onions - finely chopped
3 garlic cloves - minced
4 cups beef stock
12 oz chili sauce
8 oz tomato sauce
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp all spice
2 bay leaves
1 lb spaghetti noodles
1 sweet onion- finely chopped
8 oz sharp cheddar - finely grated
Directions:
1. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. One half pound at a time, finely ground the beef in a food processor or blender on low speed. When the meat is completely chopped, dump it into the sauté pan. Brown all meat and continue breaking up with a wooden spoon. Drain completely and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil over medium in a soup pot. Add the onion and garlic and sautee for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the drained beef, beef stock, chili sauce, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worschestershire, chili powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cumin, salt, cayenne, all spice, and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring to a heavy boil then let simmer for 2-3 hours until it thickens. The consistency should be nice and thick.
3. Boil the spaghetti noddles in a large pot of salted water for about 8 minutes or until al dente. Butter a large casserole dish and put the spaghetti in the bottom, top with the chili, the onions, and half the cheese. At this point, the dish can be refrigerated until ready to bake or baked immediately.
4. When ready to bake, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the Skyline for 15-20 minutes. Top with extra cheese when it comes out.
CHEERS TO FOOTBALL SEASON!!!