Recipes › Pasta › Filipino Spaghetti Recipe

Filipino Spaghetti Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

Filipino spaghetti is a beloved comfort dish that blends Italian pasta with sweet Filipino flavors, featuring a rich tomato-based sauce, ground meat, and a hint of sweetness from banana ketchup and brown sugar. This vibrant main course is a staple at Filipino celebrations and family gatherings, known for its distinctive sweet-savory profile that sets it apart from traditional Italian spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 500g spaghetti pasta
• 300g ground pork
• 150g all-purpose flour
• 100g onion, finely diced
• 75g garlic cloves, minced
• 400ml canned tomato sauce
• 150ml banana ketchup
• 60ml soy sauce
• 45ml white vinegar
• 30g brown sugar
• 15ml vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 250ml chicken broth
• 60g cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• 30g parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 120ml of pasta water.

2. Heat 15ml of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.

3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir continuously for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

4. Increase heat to high and add the ground pork. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.

5. Stir in the banana ketchup, tomato sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

6. Pour in the chicken broth and the reserved pasta water. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.

7. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the meat sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly for 2-3 minutes until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

8. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving platter or individual plates. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Substitutions

• Ground beef can replace ground pork for a leaner option
• Use regular tomato ketchup mixed with a tablespoon of sugar if banana ketchup is unavailable
• Substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free version
• Use whole wheat or rice-based pasta for dietary preference

Tips

• Do not drain all the pasta water; reserve it to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick
• Banana ketchup is essential for authentic Filipino spaghetti flavor; it provides the distinctive sweetness that characterizes this dish
• For a thicker sauce, simmer a few minutes longer; for a thinner sauce, add more broth gradually
• The dish tastes even better the next day after flavors have fully developed

Filipino spaghetti emerged as a fusion dish during the American colonial period in the Philippines, adapted from Italian pasta using locally available ingredients and Filipino taste preferences for sweet-savory combinations. It has become a quintessential Filipino comfort food, appearing at birthdays, fiestas, and family celebrations throughout the Philippines and in Filipino communities worldwide.

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