Sweet & Spicy Filipino Spaghetti Recipe

It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s spaghetti!

Sweet & Spicy Filipino spaghetti is the Filipino rendition of Italian spaghetti bolognese. This bolognese sauce is made with spicy hot dogs, banana ketchup, and spicy tomato sauce. Filipino Spaghetti hits a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.

This dish is a favorite among children and is a comfort food for most Filipino adults.

Both of us grew up eating Filipino Spaghetti, and we still get super excited about it whenever we cook it!

Sweet & Spicy Filipino Spaghetti is our spicy take on this dish. It’s not as sweet as traditional Filipino spaghetti, because we wanted to make room on your palates for a spicy kick!

This dish also goes well with Lumpia and Melon sa Malamig (Filipino Cantaloupe Juice).

Our recipe is quick and easy, keep reading for the details!

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Table of Contents

What makes Filipino spaghetti so unique?

Filipino spaghetti is a twist on Italian spaghetti as well as Japanese-style spaghetti (naporitan).

Filipino cuisine is often characterized by sweet and tangy dishes, which is accomplished in this dish by adding banana ketchup (catsup) and sugar.

In addition to ground beef, this dish includes spicy hot dogs to increase the power of spicy, savory, and sweet.

Lastly, Filipinos add cheese to step up the creaminess. American kraft cheese is creamy, slightly sweet, and melts easily, making it the topping of choice for Filipino spaghetti.

Another alternative is to add cream or condensed milk to the sauce.

Origin of Filipino spaghetti

The history behind this dish is blurry and fragmented, but the main theory is that this dish was a result of American influence during World War II.

It is said that General Douglas MacArthur, the famous American general/Field Marshal of the Philippine Army, loved naporitan (Japanese-style spaghetti) and was craving this dish while he was in the Philippines. One of his staff members made the dish for him, but with the lack of tomatoes and meatballs in the Philippines, banana ketchup and hot dogs were the substitutes.

Cultural impact of Filipino spaghetti

This dish is a prime example of Filipino cuisine’s ability to evolve a dish into something totally unique.

Its influence from other cultures and incorporation into the Filipino style of cooking makes this Filipino spaghetti a blend of history and culture on a plate.

It’s a fusion dish that’s uniquely Filipino, and Filipinos and Filipino-Americans all have their own “secret” recipe on how to cook it!

What once was a World War II food, has become a popular children’s dish, party food, and comfort food.

As it is easy to make in large amounts, this sweet and savory dish often makes an appearance at family gatherings and parties.

Filipino spaghetti has even made its way into the fast food industry and is now one of the most famous menu items at Jollibee.

Ingredients for Filipino spaghetti

Spaghetti noodles

• 1 lb spaghetti noodle

Spaghetti Sauce

• cooking oil for the pot
• 1 white onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic sliced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1 pack spicy mini hot dogs, sliced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 24 oz spicy tomato sauce
• ¼ cup Jufran banana ketchup, regular or spicy
• 1 tbsp sugar
• salt & pepper to taste

Topping

• American cheese slices

How to Make Filipino Spaghetti

Boil spaghetti noodles

1. Boil spaghetti noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.

Cook spaghetti sauce

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp oil at medium-high.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook 2 min or until fragrant.
3. Add the mini hot dogs. Cook 4-5 min or until the edges are nicely browned.
4. Add the ground beef. Cook 3 min or until half of the beef is cooked.
5. Add the tomato sauce, banana ketchup, and sugar. Lower the heat to medium and let cook for 10 min. Stir occasionally so the bottom doesn’t burn.
6. Add salt & pepper to taste. Turn off the heat. Set aside.

Combine then serve

1. On a serving plate, add noodles and a scoop of spaghetti sauce.
2. Top with a slice of American cheese on top.

Final Thoughts

Try this iconic Filipino recipe for a sweet, tangy, & spicy twist on bolognese. A rich, tomato-based sauce combines with sweet and savory hot dogs to give you a delicious, heated kick.

Every bite tells a story of tradition, innovation, and pure delight!

Pair this with some Pandesal (Filipino dinner rolls) and you will have a dinner to remember!

We hope you enjoy this recipe! Share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!

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References & Further Reading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_spaghetti

https://juancarlo.ph/blog/origin-filipino-style-spaghetti/

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/filipino-spaghetti-history-a00293-20200610

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-is-filipino-spaghetti

Editor’s note: This post was originally published on November 10, 2020. It has been updated with content and images on September 20, 2023.