Filipino-style spaghetti is an interesting take on the Italian bolognese. Made with banana catsup and hot dogs, it's not your ordinary pasta dish! It's meaty, perfectly sweet and savory, and cheesy for the ultimate midday snack or main dish.
I had so many fond memories of Filipino-style spaghetti growing up. It probably didn't do my waist service, but I was seriously obsessed with this pasta dish.
Would you believe I ate the stuff five days a week for four years? Seriously. My high school cafeteria sold spaghetti to students and every day the packed lunch my mother made with tender loving care went untouched because I would instead spend my meager allowance on a plateful of the beet-red noodles.
I don't know what it is but there is just something so awful yet addictive about red hot dogs in banana catsup sauce.
To this day, Filipino spaghetti remains my favorite comfort food. I no longer eat it five days a week, of course, but I make it often enough at home that G has grown to love it just as much. If you find him hovering over me while I cook you can bet it's Pinoy spaghetti. 🙂
How to make Filipino spaghetti
The steps to Filipino Spaghetti are similar to making regular spaghetti bolognese. The ground beef is first browned with aromatics and then simmered in tomato sauce and choice of herbs until thick and hearty.
What sets our local version apart is the addition of sweet banana catsup and Filipino-style hotdogs to the meat sauce plus the grated cheese topping when the pasta is served.
Cooking tips
- If you don't have access to banana catsup, use tomato ketchup in equal amounts and add a teaspoon or so of sugar to achieve the sweet and savory characteristics of Filipino spaghetti.
- You can substitute ham, Spam, bacon, or Vienna sausages for Filipino hot dogs to add a smoky flavor.
- Boost texture and nutrition by adding veggies such as mushrooms.
Serving suggestions
Sweet-style spaghetti makes a hearty and tasty midday snack or a main dish for lunch or dinner. Top it with shredded quick melt cheese and enjoy with garlic bread and green salad.
It also makes a great addition to any party or special gathering menu. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
How to store leftovers
- For best results, store the meat sauce and noodles in separate containers as the pasta tends to absorb a lot of the sauce and gets mushy.
- Transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up 2 months.
- To reheat, submerge the frozen spaghetti in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and heat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until internal temperature reads 165 F. Alternatively, drop the noodles directly into the simmering sauce and cook until the desired temperature is reached.
More Pasta Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 4 Filipino-style hotdogs, sliced diagonally
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 bell pepper, seeded, cored and chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 1 cup banana ketchup, preferably sweet and spicy
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup quick-melt cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package's direction for about 7 to 9 minutes or until firm to bite. Drain well.
- In a large saucepan, heat oil. Add sliced hot dogs and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers to pan. Cook until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking into small pieces until lightly browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, and beef broth. Stir in sugar.
- Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer, covered, for about one hour or until meat is fully cooked and sauce is thickened. If the sauce is getting too thick, add water in ½ cup increments as needed.
- During the last 10 minutes of cooking, add browned hot dogs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve, spoon spaghetti sauce over noodles and top with shredded cheese.
Notes
Video
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Marianne says
I will definitely make this one! maybe this weekend 🙂
Lalaine says
Enjoy!
Emily says
What do you meen by tomato sauce?
Lori says
About how much in pounds would 4 Filipino hot dogs be? Like about a 1/2 lb. or lb.? I work with a woman from the Phillipines who talked me into trying this recipe. She said she ate this and pancit all the time. I've had her pancit, and it's delicious, so I thought I'd try this! Thanks so much!
Lalaine Manalo says
4 hot dogs would be about 1/4 pound 🙂
Nette says
I just made this now and it is a taste of home!! Thank you so much for posting this. It tastes so much better than Red Ribbon's or Jollibee. 🙂
Lalaine says
Thank you, Nette. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. I guess homemade is always better 🙂
Mollie says
I was obsessed with this spaghetti when I was in elementary school. Our school canteen sold this daily and I would make sure to set aside my allowance just so I can get it. 30 years later, I can still taste it in my mouth and craving for it. 30 years! I cannot replicate it but I wanted to try it. I would definitely try this recipe.
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Mollie! Were you able to try it? How did it turn out? Sorry for the late response.
jerry says
The spaghetti is so good...
Lalaine says
Thank you, I am glad you liked it. 🙂
Angela says
Hi Lalaine,
What is the brand of
2 cups tomato sauce
½ cup tomato paste
1 cup banana ketchup
are you using?
Lalaine says
Hi Angela,
You can use whatever brand you like or have at home. I buy and use whatever is on sale.
Maria Soyoso-Capuder says
Would love to try this on Christmas,sadly tho only Asian market I went doesn't carry pure foods hotdogs anymore.Any suggestions to the hotdogs?The one I picked from public is way too salty.Keep posting more recipe!!
Lalaine says
Hello Maria,
Try cubed ham, I use that when I don't have hot dogs at home. 🙂
Dee says
Can't wait to try this recipe!
Any idea how much salt and pepper you use for taste? Thanks!
Rachel says
Making this along with pork hamonado for my friend today for Noche Buena! Thanks for the idea...this is my first try at Filipino cooking. I will say I was totally confused by the idea at first sound but am excited to try it! Ngayong Pasko, mapuno ang iyong puso ng kapayapaan.
Arlene says
Hi Lalaine
i love your recipes, all yum:) and your cooking techniques, they work all the time.
What sort of beef broth did you use? store bought liquid stock, using beef cube or the actual broth from beef? just curious 🙂 thank you...
Lalaine says
I used liquid broth 🙂
CT says
I make this a lot and love it! However, since no store near me carries filipino hot dogs, I use Hebrew National beef hot dogs. I also use shredded pepper jack cheese instead of velveeta(I find the smell and texture repulsive) or shredded gouda. I like Jafran brand banana ketchup best. You wouldn't think hot dogs would work in spaghetti but they do!
Lalaine says
It's a weird combination but it works 🙂
Czar Asilo says
it helps with my assignment, please insert substitution for other ingredients in needed
THANK YOU
kimberly says
i will try to cook this recipe 😉 my family will surely love this 😉
Lalaine says
Hello Kimberly
I am sure your family will love it. This is one of daughter's favorite meals, too. Enjoy!
Kristine says
I love your recipe of the Filipino style spaghetti! ill be making this for christmas. Your other recipes are easy to follow as well with delicious looking images. Cheers!