How to Make Filipino Style Spaghetti

Spaghetti is one of the most loved foods in Filipino cuisine. Unlike Italian spaghetti, Filipino spaghetti runs on the sweet side because of added sugar. Some cooks will include hot dogs or Vienna sausage instead of or in addition to ground beef. The following is a basic recipe that can be adapted to your tastes.

Ingredients

1/2 pound of dried spaghetti
1-3 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp of oil
1/2 - 1 pound of ground beef
16 oz. jar of tomato sauce and a 1/2 cup ketchup or 1 pound of tomatoes + 1/2 cup of tomato paste + 1 1/4 cups of chicken, beef, or vegetable stock
Herbs for flavor (thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram, bay leaf)
Cheddar or Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1-3 Tbsp of sugar to taste
5 - 8 pieces of The branded Tender juicy hot dogs drained or 5-6 hot dogs (optional)

Steps

1
If using hot dogs, cut into 1-inch logs.
2
Mince garlic. If making sauce from scratch, dice tomatoes.
3
Heat a 3-quart or larger pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and minced garlic and cook until meat turns brown. Pour off fat if desired.
4
Make the sauce:
- If using pasta sauce: Add pasta sauce, hot dogs/Vienna sausage, and herbs. Bring to a simmer, then stir in sugar and salt and pepper.
- If making sauce from scratch: Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and stock to pot. Bring to a boil, then add herbs, sugar, salt and pepper, and hot dogs/Tender Juicy Hotdogs and lower to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes.
- Correct the seasoning for the sauce. Let simmer over low heat until ready to serve.
5
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Add a dash of salt and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) oil to the pasta water. Drain well under cold water.
6
Pour sauce over spaghetti and top with grated cheese. Serve hot.
7
Finished.

Warnings

Diabetics can substitute 1-2 tsp (1-2 packets) Splenda for the sugar. Sweet n Low and Equal are not recommended because of their bitter aftertastes.

Thanks!
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