Make your own Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce.
Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal? I got you covered! Let me introduce an interesting take of my country’s very own bolognese – the Filipino Style Spaghetti or Pinoy Spaghetti – the perfect snack for your pasta cravings.
Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce
Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce is thick and creamy made with ground beef and a variety of spices. It is served over the pasta for a delicious and hearty dinner that the whole family will love! This well-known spaghetti sauce recipe will bring back fond memories of your childhood most especially those birthdays, graduation party and Noche Buena in the Philippines.
Should I use tomato sauce or banana ketchup?
Both! There’s always more than one way to cook your Filipino Spaghetti sauce but I use the combination of tomato sauce and banana ketchup for a sweeter blend. If you use pure tomato sauce, it will taste similar to the Italian version wherein the tomato flavor is intensified in the process. With the addition of banana ketchup, you’ll cover the tangy taste and mix it with balanced sweetness.
Filipino Spaghetti vs Italian Spaghetti
Like what I’ve mentioned, our Filipino spaghetti has a distinct sweet style sauce that all Filipinos are crazy about. Italian spaghetti sauce uses tomato sauce as its base for a more earthy flavor but we mix the right amount of tomato sauce and banana ketchup together with the beef broth, red hot dogs, and shredded cheese on top.
While other spaghetti sauce uses Parmesan cheese, we use cheddar cheese so that it gets melted along with the cooked spaghetti noodles. This is how the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce is known to many even to Filipinos abroad.
How do I cook Filipino-style Spaghetti Sauce?
First and foremost, I prepare my pasta in salted boiling water, stirring occasionally, and then putting it aside in a large pot. I combine ground beef or ground pork, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a pot over medium heat. You can sauté them together or separately to keep the meat moist and juicy. I like to mix the two at this point because it’s faster but feel free to do whatever you want! Add salt and black pepper to taste. Once you have your base, I fry some hot dogs to add to the sauce.
Hotdogs are a crucial part of a Filipino-style spaghetti recipe since it gives a complimentary taste to the pasta sauce. This ingredient is also famous with children that’s why our Filipino-style spaghetti recipe has become their favorite.
Afterward, I add tomato ketchup and banana ketchup, soy sauce, white sugar, black pepper, and water. You can also use sweet tomato sauce or regular tomato sauce depending on your preference, but the Filipino spaghetti recipe must always bring out the sweet dish of Filipino cuisine. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low-medium. Simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
Add your desired amount of pasta and stir. Pour in the pasta sauce so the pasta absorbs it and don’t forget the cheese toppings. The overall prep time for this Filipino spaghetti recipe will be around 25-30 minutes.
What kind of meat is used to make Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce?
Filipino Spaghetti Sauce can be made with ground beef or pork as well as chicken, turkey, and even tuna. You can be creative with your ingredients! Of course, you may add ground beef or pork since both can have the same texture and ingredients, although they taste different. If you’re going to use chicken, turkey, or tuna, the sauce may become too dry. Normally, each meat comes with corresponding sauce ingredients.
If you don’t eat meat, Portobello mushrooms are a great substitute! If you’re using Portobello, just sauté first with the onion and garlic before adding the tomatoes.
Cooking tips!
To avoid getting overcooked beef or pork, remove them from the sauce. Cook the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow all the flavors to blend in. After cooking, you can add the beef or pork back into the pan and cook it again for a few minutes before adding your spaghetti noodles. This will give it some more flavor as well as keep the meat moist and juicy!
If you would like to thicken the sauce, simply add more banana catsup or evaporated milk. You can also use corn starch but I really don’t recommend it because it will lose its flavor!
Do not overcook your pasta as well. This would give it a sticky texture so always cook for at least 7 minutes. Drain the pasta and separate it from the sweet spaghetti sauce. Transfer from a large saucepan to a serving bowl or plate then top with your Filipino-style spaghetti sauce! You can also mix them altogether if you want.
So there you have it! This Filipino spaghetti recipe is very easy to prepare, you don’t have to follow other recipes. But if you have any other secrets, you can e-mail us and we can try your version too. Happy cooking!
Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce
Equipment
- cooking pan
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 1/2- 2 lbs ground pork or beef
- 5-7 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium onion minced/chopped
- 20 pcs hotdog sliced diagonally
- 32 oz spaghetti sauce I use Hunts brand- Four Cheese
- 1 small can 6 oz tomato paste
- 4 small bottles of banana ketchup I use UFC tamis anghang banana ketchup or Juffran
- 2 tbsp Fish Sauce
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 5 tbsp sugar
- salt & pepper to taste
- grated cheese
Instructions
- Heat the cooking oil and in the garlic and saute' for a minute. Add in the onion and saute' until transparent. Add the ground beef and cook through ( you can tell if it is not pink any more.Add the fish sauce and hot dog. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste,ketchup and sugar. Cook for a few minutes until sauce is thick.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with the spaghetti topped with the cheese
I too make pasta with Indian curry sauce at times and this filipino flavor is tempting me as much 🙂
Love the Filipino spin on a traditional Italian classic. I’m not a huge fan of Italian tomato based pasta sauces so i’ve got to give this a shot. Never heard of banana ketchup before but will have to look out for it. Happy to be hosting this giveaway with you. Pinning and yumming!
Thanks,Vicky!
What an interesting sauce! I definitely should give it a try 🙂
Thanks,Megan.
Nothing beats the comfort this give to every Filipino