Description
A delicious and uniquely Filipino twist on classic spaghetti featuring sweet-style spaghetti sauce, banana ketchup, and sliced hot dogs, combined with ground pork and topped with freshly grated cheese for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for family gatherings or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sausages
- ½ pound lean ground pork
- 2 pieces diagonally sliced red hot dogs
Pasta
- 6 ounces dry spaghetti
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 cup sweet-style spaghetti sauce
- ⅓ cup banana ketchup
- 1 small finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 to 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ¼ cup water (pasta water)
Toppings
- ½ cup freshly grated cheese
Instructions
- Boil Spaghetti: Cook the dry spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve some of the pasta water for later use.
- Brown Ground Pork: In a large skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat and brown the lean ground pork. Once cooked, drain any excess fat and set the pork aside temporarily.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Using the same skillet, sauté the finely chopped yellow onion until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, ensuring not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Pork and Season: Return the browned ground pork to the skillet. Lightly season with salt and coarse black pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes while stirring regularly to blend the flavors.
- Cook Hot Dogs: Add the diagonally sliced red hot dogs to the skillet and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat through.
- Add Sauces and Simmer: Pour in the sweet-style spaghetti sauce, banana ketchup, and reserved pasta water. Mix thoroughly, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Adjust Seasoning and Set Aside Sauce: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer half of the sauce into a separate bowl for topping later.
- Toss Spaghetti in Sauce: Add the cooked al dente spaghetti into the skillet with the remaining sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta completely with the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the coated spaghetti, top with the reserved sauce, and generously sprinkle freshly grated cheese on top. Serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Use lean ground pork to reduce excess fat, but feel free to substitute with ground beef if preferred.
- Sweet-style spaghetti sauce and banana ketchup are essential for an authentic Filipino flavor; these can be found in Asian grocery stores.
- Reserve pasta water helps loosen the sauce and blend flavors while cooking.
- The red hot dogs add a classic Filipino touch, but you can substitute with any preferred sausage.
- For a richer taste, top generously with freshly grated or processed cheese, commonly used in Filipino spaghetti.
- Adjust the sweetness or seasoning according to your taste preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
