Sweet Filipino Spaghetti Recipe

This sweet Filipino spaghetti recipe will take you back to childhood parties in the Philippines, where the spaghetti sauce is sweet, meaty, and yummy!

What Is Sweet Filipino Spaghetti?

One of the most nostalgic memories of any Filipino childhood is having sweet spaghetti at birthday parties. It is characterized by its sweet and savory flavors, which come from a combination of unique ingredients such as ketchup, hot dogs, and ground beef or pork. The dish is believed to have originated from the influence of American cuisine during the American colonization of the Philippines. Over time, Filipino cooks added their own unique twist to the dish, making it sweeter and incorporating local ingredients.

There are a few staples in a Filipino birthday party: hotdog and marshmallow skewers stuck into a watermelon, lumpiang shanghai, and (you guessed it) spaghetti. This is not just any spaghetti; we are talking rich, meaty, sweet spaghetti sauce over pasta and topped with cheese.

The Filipino style of making sweet spaghetti sauce may be a source of debate for netizens and chefs all over the internet. While the distinctly sweet and savory flavor may not be for everyone, it holds a special place in every Filipino’s heart. Every Filipino family has their own taste and preference when it comes to the ingredients. This spaghetti sauce recipe can be modified to cater to that nostalgic taste or create a completely new flavor. One of the tweaks we made includes adding carrot and celery (to make it healthier for our young, picky eaters!) but these can be omitted. It also replaces the classic hot dogs with Vienna sausage for a more savory flavor.

What Is Sweet Filipino Spaghetti?
How to Serve Sweet Filipino Spaghetti
How To Cook Sweet Filipino Spaghetti
Tips To Make Easy Sweet Filipino Spaghetti
Sweet Filipino Spaghetti Storage Tips
Sweet Filipino Spaghetti Recipe

How to Serve Sweet Filipino Spaghetti

The best way to serve this spaghetti dish is by making sure it’s still hot, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. The cheese will melt slightly from the heat of the spaghetti, adding a creamy and savory element to the dish.

Pair the sweet Filipino spaghetti with garlic bread: Filipino spaghetti pairs well with garlic bread! To make this, simply spread butter and minced or powdered garlic on pandesal (Filipino bread rolls) or slices of loaf bread and toast until golden brown.

Serve it with other beloved Filipino dishes: Filipino spaghetti is commonly served at big gatherings or parties, and it goes very well with other dishes. It is most commonly served with lumpiang shanghai and Pinoy-style pork barbecue.

How To Cook Sweet Filipino Spaghetti

To cook sweet Filipino spaghetti, start by cooking the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef, and ground pork, and bay leaves to the pan and cook until browned and cooked through. Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks to ensure it is evenly cooked. Halfway through, add the Vienna sausage. Then, stir in tomato sauce, Knorr chicken cubes (available here), and water or stock. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and simmer for at least 2 more minutes.

To assemble, add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Top with grated cheese and serve hot.

Tips To Make Easy Sweet Filipino Spaghetti

1. Feel free to swap out some ingredients.

The key to a Filipino-style spaghetti sauce is that it’s sweeter than your average spaghetti sauce, so as long as you’ve got that down pat, you’re free to swap out some of the ingredients! For example, you can use regular hot dogs instead of the Vienna sausage, or use all-pork or all-beef for the ground meat.

2. Add mushrooms or bell peppers.

You can make your spaghetti sauce more savory by adding sliced mushrooms and bell peppers! If you like the taste of bell peppers but don’t enjoy the texture, you can also mince it. Tossing it in with the onions, carrots, and celery will bring out its natural sweetness, too, so that its flavor won’t come off too sharply.

3. Turn it into a cheesy baked spaghetti dish.

Want to take it up a notch? After mixing the sauce into the pasta, you could put the spaghetti in a casserole dish, top it with grated quick-melting cheese, and pop it in the oven to make a baked spaghetti dish!

Sweet Filipino Spaghetti Storage Tips

1. Refrigerate sweet Filipino spaghetti in an airtight container.

It’s best to store the sweet Filipino spaghetti in an airtight container; it will last for up to 5 days. To prevent the pasta from drying out, you can toss it in the sauce! The coating and its being stored in an airtight container will keep it plump and soft.

2. Sweet Filipino spaghetti can be frozen.

If you want to freeze your sweet Filipino spaghetti for longer storage, it’s best to freeze just the sauce in an airtight container. It will last for up to a few weeks in the freezer, and can easily be reheated when you’re ready to eat. The pasta is best cooked fresh right before consumption, as storing cooked pasta in the freezer may affect its texture negatively.