The Best Filipino Spaghetti Recipe (Sweet, Meaty & Cheesy!)

Have you ever been to a Filipino party and wondered about the secret behind that uniquely delicious, bright red spaghetti? It’s the one dish that kids and adults make a beeline for, a sweet, savory, and cheesy masterpiece that’s pure comfort in a bowl. For years, I’ve been perfecting my own family’s version, and today, I’m sharing that treasured Filipino spaghetti recipe with you. This isn’t your average Italian bolognese; it’s a flavor-packed celebration that’s surprisingly easy to make. Get ready to create a meal that will fill your home with amazing aromas and happy faces.

Quick Recipe

• Preparation Time: 15M
• Cooking Time: 45M
• Total Time: 1H
• Type of dish: Main Course
• Cuisine: Filipino
• Recipe Yield: 6-8 servings
• Calories: Approximately 650 kcal per serving

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What Makes Filipino Spaghetti So Unique?

If you’ve never had it, you might be raising an eyebrow at the idea of a sweet pasta sauce. But trust me, it works! Unlike its Italian cousin, which focuses on herbs and acidic tomatoes, the Filipino spaghetti recipe leans into a delightful sweetness. This comes from a very special ingredient: banana ketchup.

This bright red condiment, a staple in the Philippines, is made from bananas, sugar, and vinegar. It gives the sauce its signature sweet tang and vibrant color. We balance that sweetness with savory ground meat, salty hotdogs, and a rich tomato base. Topped with a generous amount of cheese, it creates a symphony of flavors that is incredibly addictive. This is the ultimate sweet style spaghetti, a true comfort food icon

Let’s Gather Your Ingredients

The best part about this recipe is that it uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. No need for a special trip to a fancy grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece.

For the Meaty, Sweet Sauce:

• 1 lb ground pork (or a 50/50 mix of pork and beef for extra flavor)
• 5-6 red hotdogs, sliced into coins
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup banana ketchup (this is the key ingredient!)
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish (optional, but adds a lovely tang)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar, packed (adjust to your taste)
• 1/2 cup beef broth or water
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Pasta and Topping:

• 1 lb spaghetti noodles
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (a block of sharp cheddar, finely shredded, is perfect)

Essential Kitchen Tools

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe. Just a few kitchen basics will do the trick!

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• A separate large pot for cooking pasta
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Cheese grater

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Filipino Spaghetti

Ready to create some magic? We’ll build the sauce layer by layer to ensure every bite is packed with flavor. Follow these simple steps for a flawless Filipino spaghetti sauce.

Step 1: Brown the Meats

• First, heat the oil in your large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced hotdogs and cook them for a few minutes until they get slightly browned and crispy on the edges. This little step adds so much texture and flavor! Remove the hotdogs with a slotted spoon and set them aside.
• In the same pot, add the ground pork. Cook, breaking it up with your spoon, until it’s fully browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease, but leave about a tablespoon in the pot for flavor.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Add the chopped onion to the pot with the cooked pork. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Now, add the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until you can smell its wonderful aroma. This process of cooking the onions and garlic builds the foundational savory layer of our sauce.

Step 3: Build That Amazing Sauce

It’s time for the fun part! Pour the tomato sauce, banana ketchup, and beef broth into the pot. Add the brown sugar and the sweet pickle relish (if you’re using it). Give everything a really good stir until it’s all combined into a beautiful, vibrant red sauce.

Step 4: Simmer and Meld the Flavors

• Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to low. Return the cooked hotdogs to the pot. Cover and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering time is crucial it allows all those sweet and savory flavors to meld together into a truly delicious and cohesive sauce.
• While the sauce is simmering, take a moment to taste it. Is it sweet enough for you? Does it need a pinch of salt? This is your chance to adjust it perfectly to your liking!

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

About 15 minutes before your sauce is done simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your spaghetti noodles and cook according to the package directions until al dente (that means tender, but still with a slight bite). Drain the pasta well, but don’t rinse it! The starch on the noodles helps the sauce cling better.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle a generous amount of the hot, meaty spaghetti with hotdogs sauce over a bed of cooked noodles. The final, non-negotiable step? Pile on the shredded cheddar cheese! The warmth of the sauce will melt it slightly, creating a creamy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible meal.

A Taste of Home and Happiness

This Filipino spaghetti recipe is so much more than just a meal. It’s the taste of birthday parties, family reunions, and happy memories. It’s a dish that brings smiles to faces and warmth to hearts. I am so excited for you to bring this little piece of my family’s tradition into your own kitchen. I know it will become a favorite you’ll be proud to share. Happy cooking!

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