Last updated on April 17th, 2023 at 09:34 am

This Filipino style spaghetti is hands down the most crowd-pleasing dish served at special occasions. It’s simple to make with easy to find ingredients and substitutes.

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What is Filipino style sweet spaghetti?

Filipino style spaghetti is the Filipino take on the Italian pasta.

The sauce is sweet compared to the Italian one.

It is usually made of tomato sauce sweetened with banana ketchup or sugar.

Some might add condensed milk or cream to the sauce too.

It is usually topped with mince meat, hotdogs and grated cheese.

Spaghetti the Pinoy way

This dish is served at special occasions especially children’s parties.

Kids love it. I for one loved it but don’t take my word for it.

We all adapt our food to what is available and learn from what we see.

This food for instance is a good example of learning and adapting.

How was Filipino spaghetti invented?

Check this article out from Esquiremag.ph on how Filipino style spaghetti was invented.

What is a Filipino hotdog?

Filipino hotdogs are made from pork and red in colour.

Having a look at the ingredients list on a packet recently, it said mechanically separated turkey and pork as part of a long ingredients.

The red colour is from artificial colouring.

There’s a number of companies now that make these Philippine-style sausages more than I can remember as little child.

But they all resemble the hotdogs of old times.

They now have a beef variety and chicken.

This means that those who prefer beef or chicken can try Pinoy style hotdogs. Fantastic!

Filipino spaghetti outside the Philippines

Well, thanks to the shops, physical ones and online stores around you can find Filipino-style spaghetti sauce, banana ketchup and hotdogs.

When craving for Filipino-style food, I usually adapt to what I could find in the kitchen.

No, that is not authentic one might say.

It might not be but it is how we try to make things that reminds us of home that matters more.

For this recipe, hotdogs and spaghetti sauce we used a sauce in packet from the Philippines.

Sausages could be used in place of the hotdogs too!

We did not have banana ketchup so we left that out.

The sauce was already sweet so we did not feel the need to add more sugar to the dish.

As for the cheese, use any cheese of choice.

Mozzarella is great!

Cheddar is what was available in the fridge for this recipe which was equally great for us.

If you would like to try the quickmelt cheese as we have always done at home that is going to be an authentic Filipino choice.

Do you like your pasta soft or al dente?

My daughter likes her pasta al dente so, for this recipe we are cooking it this way.

Back home soft pasta is acceptable. And it is a matter of preference I guess.

What we need for this spaghetti recipe?

150 grams spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions
2 tablespoons oil – any neutral oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 inches celery stick, finely chopped
1 small carrots, fimely chopped
100 grams pork mince
100 grams beef mince
1c hotdogs, Filipino style
1/2 cup tomato sauce (Filipino-style from the Asian shop)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup water or as needed
100 grams grated cheddar cheese

How to make Filipino-style spaghetti?

Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
Heat oil in a pan.
Saute the aromatics (onion, garlic), celery and carrots. Cook until soft.
Add in the mince meat. Brown the meat. This takes around 10 minutes.
Add the tomato sauce and tomato puree.
Throw in the hotdogs
Pour additional water if needed.
Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Place cooked pasta on a plate.
Top with the sauce and grated cheese.
Mix and enjoy!

Cooking Tips and Notes

Use Filipino-style spaghetti sauce for that Filipino sweet and a little tangy taste. Substitute with regular tomato sauce and sugar.
If tomato paste is not available use the puree but be prepared to add a bit more. This is because puree has more water content than the paste.
Any protein could be used so long as they are browned to add more flavour to the sauce. A pork or beef alone is fine. Chicken or turkey also works!
Those fiery-red hotdogs would make this dish look Filipino spaghetti-esque. Throw them into the meat sauce just before turning the heat off. They are already cooked!
Use sausages in place of hotdogs.
Quick melt cheese is the usual kind of topping but if you prefer cheddar that is fine!
Mozzarella is great too!
If using mozzarella, make sure to add it at the end and no longer piping hot so that the mozzarella don’t come out stringy.

There you go!

That is how easy it is to make a Filipino-style spaghetti for your next party!

Give this a go and tell us what you think about it.

Take a photo perhaps and tag us on Facebook or Instagram.

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Do you have a special way to make spaghetti sauce?

We would like to hear about your unique pasta sauce recipes.

While you think of those recipes why not try our macaroni salad recipe next?

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