Give the sweet and savory deliciousness of Filipino spaghetti a try. It has a unique blend of flavors that are hard to resist.

A bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese.

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This Filipino-style spaghetti puts a sweeter spin on the familiar pasta dish. The banana ketchup gives the sauce a mild tang and noticeable sweetness. I find it has a flavor that's smoother and less acidic than traditional tomato sauces.

Just like the Italian version, this pasta dish with red meat sauce pairs well with garlic bread. My family likes to dip the bread into the sauce. It also works well with my ensaladang manga green mango salad, which helps keep the meal from feeling heavy.

Ingredients

You need to have some essential ingredients to create the perfect Filipino spaghetti. Let's dive in and explore what makes this dish so delicious!

Here's what you'll need to make this Filipino recipe:

lean ground pork
dry spaghetti noodles
sweet-style spaghetti sauce
banana ketchup
yellow onion
garlic
red hot dogs
grated cheese
cooking oil
salt
coarse black pepper
optional white cheddar cheese

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

Instructions

To start, you'll start by boiling the dry noodles in salted water until al-dente. Then drain, reserving the pasta water.

Ground beef in a frying pan with a wooden spoon.

In a large skillet, brown ground pork. Drain excess fat and set aside.

In the same skillet, sauté onions until translucent. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

A frying pan with ground meat and sliced hot dogs.

Add browned ground pork. Lightly season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes while regularly stirring. Add sliced hot dogs.

Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

A frying pan filled with ground meat and tomato sauce.

Pour the sweet-style tomato sauce, banana ketchup, and pasta water. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste then transfer half of the sauce in a bowl.

Add al dente spaghetti into the skillet.

Spaghetti with meat and tomatoes in a frying pan.

Fully coat with the sweet-style sauce.

Spaghetti and meat sauce in a frying pan.

Top with the reserved sweet-style spaghetti sauce.

Filipino spaghetti and meat sauce topped with cheese in a frying pan.

Top with the grated cheese, if desired.

Hint: Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to enhance the savory elements of the dish. Tasting and adjusting the sweetness as you go will help you achieve the desired flavor profile for your Filipino spaghetti with sliced hotdogs and ground pork.

Tips

Top tip: Cooking your noodles "al dente" is key to achieving the perfect texture in your Filipino spaghetti dish. This Italian term means cooking the pasta until it is still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked noodles can become mushy and lose their appeal. So make sure to follow the instructions on the package and test a strand before draining them.

The sauce is where all the flavor comes from, so don't be shy with your seasonings. To enhance the flavors, you can also include diced bell peppers and carrots for added sweetness and color.
Banana ketchup adds a unique flavor profile to the dish. It balances out the acidity of tomatoes while providing a hint of sweetness. If you can't find it in your local grocery store, regular ketchup can be a substitute.

A bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce and tomatoes.

Variations

There are a few simple ways to adjust this Filipino-style spaghetti depending on what ingredients you have available.

Make the sauce from scratch. If you can't find sweet Filipino spaghetti sauce, you can mix tomato sauce with a little tomato paste and sugar until it reaches the sweetness and thickness you prefer. I've done this several times, and it creates a sauce that's close to the classic flavor with that signature sweet balance.
Change the meat. Ground pork or a mix of pork and beef both work well in this recipe. When I tested it with a pork and beef blend, the sauce had a slightly richer flavor while still keeping the sweet profile that makes Filipino spaghetti distinctive.
Try a different cheese topping. Cheddar is the traditional choice because it melts quickly and adds a salty contrast to the sweet sauce. I've also used mozzarella, which melts more smoothly and gives the spaghetti a softer, creamier finish.

Spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese on a plate.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make sure to let it cool down to room temperature before transferring it to the container to prevent condensation. When reheating, you can do so in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little bit of water or sauce to prevent it from drying out.

For longer storage, Filipino spaghetti can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it up on the stove or microwave until it's warmed through. It's important to note that the texture of the noodles may change slightly after freezing and reheating, but the flavor should remain delicious.