Chili Spaghetti Battle: Skyline Microwave vs. Homemade (Featuring Kevin Bludso's Hot Dog Chili)

Chili Spaghetti
(Using Kevin Bludso's Hot Dog Chili from the Bludso's BBQ Cookbook)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 pounds coarsely ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
2 cups water
2 tablespoons beef bouillon powder
1/2 cup dark chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
4 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 1/2 cups tomato paste

Spaghetti
finely diced yellow onion
grated sharp cheddar cheese

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and warm the vegetable oil. When the oil is shimmering add the beef, onion and garlic. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat until all the redness is cooked out -- about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat the water and bouillon until the bouillon dissolves.

When the beef is ready, add the chili powder, cumin, cayenne, seasoning salt, black pepper and mustard powder and stir to mix well. Taste for seasoning and adjust as if needed. Add the vinegar, allspice, brown sugar and beef broth and stir to mix. Then stir in the ketchup, yellow mustard and tomato paste again, mixing well. Cover, turn the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally until the meat is tender and the flavors are totally blended -- about 30 minutes.

Once the chili is ready, boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and place in a bowl, topped with diced yellow onions, then scoops of chili, then an irresponsible amount of cheddar. Enjoy

[rickbourne]

Oh the puncture the bottom trick, never seen that before, except for beer cans....😉

[jenniferandrobertmartin]

Ooo, I see Souper Cubes on the counter! Big big fan.

[courtneysalsbury]

Cackling at the travel trivia of Albert Dente 🤣

[shapeofsoup]

What do we want?!
More Ben!
When do we want it?!
Timmy!

[Sethemiah]

Skyline hot sauce is going to blow your mind! Game Changer!

[grainnemulholland]

I grew up in Cincinnati, and Cincinnati chili has long been my go-to for bringing food to anyone with a new baby or anyone going through a rough time. We use the recipe from Cook’s Country (from the Christopher Kimball days of Cook’s Illustrated.). But with lots of extra garlic— my husband is Irish-Italian. :) Anyway, one of our friends who received Cincy chili from us a couple of times (new baby AND aging parents) liked it so much he asked us about the history, which is how I wound up looking it up: early 1900’s Greek-Macedonian immigrant restauranteurs who Americanized a Macedonian lamb stew, changing the meat and adding chili powder to appeal to Americans, but also keeping the traditional spices. Hence the cinnamon.

[lisavalentine]

Could you make your cookbook with a spiral binding? I hate hard cover cookbooks, since I've had them pop out of my holder & then I have them on the counter with cans of tomatoes, beans, rocks from the potted plant... whatever to hold the pages down!

[lilykep]

When you dumped the pouch out I said a dismayed "Oh" out loud. It looked *rough*

More Ben!

[rickbourne]

It would go WELL on spaghetti ... adverb.

[rickbourne]

OMG, have some Chili Spaghetti with your cheese.

[pegparrish]

I was born in Cincinnati but have never been too fond of Skyline. Like you, I don’t care for cinnamon or any other ingredient that goes into cookies, being put in chili. I have seen Skyline in cans and also in the freezer section (sans pasta) at the grocery store but putting it together with the pasta in a microwave pouch is such a travesty! You can order the chili five different ways in their restaurants...1) chili in a bowl, 2)with pasta, 3)with pasta and onions 4)with pasta, onions and cheese, 5) with pasta, onions, cheese and beans! My opinion is they all suck because of their choice of spices but I am eager to try this version from Kevin’s book because I have always loved the concept. Thanks for the recipe and more Ben, please.

[judegoldstein]

i don't add cinnamon but i do add a bit of dark mexican chocolate from Rancho Gordo. yup, noah, al dente spaghetti is a must.

[leovirgo]

I like super spicy chili, and yes. I do use about a pinch of cinnamon, and sometimes ginger. If I have it, I will also add some good cocoa powder -- but also just a very, VERY little. And NO BEANS (for me. sorry, folks). I definitely put it on hot dogs.
Thank you for giving me more cute doggo.
Finally, more Ben, please! :)

[amandamartini-hughes]

but how jealous would iliza be for that amount of lucious cheese? also.. more ben!

[tompagano]

I never had Cincinnati Chili but neither have you. A microwave pouch of Skyline with mushy pasta ( which is cut! Mom always told me, “in Italy if you cut the spaghetti, they cut your throat”) does not count. I have read the real recipe calls for boiling the beef without browning( ugh) . Of course it has Greek/ Macedonian spices including cinnamon, your favorite. Purists/ pundits say there is no chocolate in it. Anyway, you made it clear with a sort of disclaimer that this is really not Cincy chile.Hey! you forgot raw onions, kidney beans, crackers, up to five way!

[wall]

Well my youngest son went to University Cincinnati so we have it once in a while . There also is a Big Boy (Frishes) franchise in Ohio and there Chile has a very similar taste .Cincinnati has several other Chile type with similar tastes . Oh well we all don't like the same thing. Noah I have one question gas or electric stove . I feel I am a bad person I like gas.Oh yea hey Ben

[roospike]

😄 Nope .. ya had me tell ketchup and tomato paste and not using real tomatoes. Enjoy!
I'm out.
Buon Appetito'