Filipino Style Spaghetti
A much sweeter version of spaghetti. This is how I like to make mine. Sometimes I add sliced mushrooms and bell peppers, too. Kids like it no matter what I put in it So what's in Filipino Style Spaghetti that kids love Unlike Italian spaghetti which is full of spices and tomato sauce, Filipino spaghetti is sweet and it has hot dogs or Vienna sausage in addition to ground meat. No wonder Filipino kids love it I can't recall any Filipino kid's birthday celebration without spaghetti on the table. But don't get me wrong, Filipino-style spaghetti isn't just for kids Even Filipino adults love it; and I'm sure you will
A much sweeter version of spaghetti. This is how I like to make mine. Sometimes I add sliced mushrooms and bell peppers, too. Kids like it no matter what I put in it So what's in Filipino Style Spaghetti that kids love Unlike Italian spaghetti which is full of spices and tomato sauce, Filipino spaghetti is sweet and it has hot dogs or Vienna sausage in addition to ground meat. No wonder Filipino kids love it I can't recall any Filipino kid's birthday celebration without spaghetti on the table. But don't get me wrong, Filipino-style spaghetti isn't just for kids Even Filipino adults love it; and I'm sure you will
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 hot dogs
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 26 ounces spaghetti sauce (i like prego or rinaldi brand)
- 12 ounces jufran banana ketchup (usually easy to find in the asian grocery aisle)
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 2/3 cup onion diced
- 1 cup carrot diced into cubes
- 1/8 cup sugar (optional)
- grated cheese of your choice (anything that melts nicely)
- olive oil for cooking
- water for cooking pasta
- Carbohydrate 246.070849906003 g
- Cholesterol 126.534007378 mg
- Fat 56.9184441944969 g
- Fiber 32.3542093857641 g
- Protein 58.9095915357737 g
- Saturated Fat 21.3533160446353 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (1949g)
- Sodium 1606.84692848848 mg
- Sugar 213.716640520239 g
- Trans Fat 9.75119146281784 g
- Calories 1708 calories
Step-by-step
- Cook the noodles as per package direction. Drain and rinse. Set aside.
- Slice the hot dogs on the bias (diagonally) and nuke them til cooked, about 1-2 minutes depending on your microwave.
- Heat some oil. Saute garlic and onions. Then add in the meat. Cook till brown. Season with some salt and pepper.
- Pour in the spaghetti sauce, banana ketchup, sugar, bay leaf and water.
- Mix and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it gets thick and red.
- Add in the hot dogs last. Mix and just let the hot dogs heat through. Sauce is done!
- Top the noodles with the warm sauce. Sprinkle with quick melt cheese!
Operating on a modest pantry budget often means looking beyond traditional European flavor profiles toward preparations that rely on shelf-stable condiments and accessible proteins. Filipino spaghetti distinguishes itself immediately from Italian ragù through its sweet, savory flavor profile, driven by the inclusion of banana ketchup alongside standard tomato sauce. This condiment, developed during a tomato shortage in World War II, introduces a distinct fruitiness and vibrant red hue that defines the dish. Ground beef or turkey browns alongside aromatics, while sliced hot dogs join the pot near the end of cooking so they heat through without splitting or over-softening.
Adapting Proportions for Any Gathering
Scaling this recipe requires attention to the starch-to-sauce ratio, particularly when adjusting quantities for larger crowds or smaller households. Doubling the batch necessitates a wide, heavy-bottomed pot to ensure the sauce reduces evenly during its ten-minute simmer rather than steaming. When cooking the pasta, maintain a rolling boil with adequate salt to prevent the noodles from becoming gummy under the heavy sauce.
- If the sauce appears too thick after simmering, adjust the consistency by stirring in warm water two tablespoons at a time until it coats the back of a spoon smoothly.
- Slice the hot dogs diagonally at a sharp angle to increase their surface area, allowing them to absorb more of the surrounding sauce.
- Select a processed cheese that melts quickly under residual heat to replicate the traditional finishing touch found on party tables.
