Filipino Spaghetti

Name: Filipino Spaghetti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 pound spaghetti noodles; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 2 tablespoons minced onion; 1 pound ground pork; 2 cups diced hot dogs; ½ cup minced carrots and red peppers; 1 cup water; 8 ounces tomato paste; 1 pound Italian tomato sauce; 7 ounces evaporated milk; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning mix; Grated processed cheese for topping

Recipe GLPR86fcfd2e05a137

Asian

Main Course

45 min

307 cal

Servings: 12

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

A beloved Filipino comfort dish combining tender spaghetti with a rich, slightly sweet meat sauce made from ground pork, hot dogs, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. The creamy texture comes from evaporated milk, creating a unique fusion sauce that's topped with melted processed cheese. This hearty, family-friendly pasta is perfect for gatherings and serves a crowd.

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Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti noodles

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons minced onion

1 pound ground pork

2 cups diced hot dogs

½ cup minced carrots and red peppers

1 cup water

8 ounces tomato paste

1 pound Italian tomato sauce

7 ounces evaporated milk

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning mix

Grated processed cheese for topping

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until tender. Drain and set aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and onion to the hot oil and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant.
Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 7–8 minutes until completely browned with no pink remaining. Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Stir in the diced hot dogs and minced carrots and red peppers. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Pour in the water and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and flavors to blend.
Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste, stirring thoroughly until smooth and incorporated. Simmer for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in the evaporated milk and salt until fully combined. Season with the all-purpose seasoning mix and adjust salt to taste.
In a large pot or serving dish, combine the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce, mixing gently until the noodles are well coated. Top generously with grated processed cheese, allowing it to melt from the residual heat of the pasta.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4.5

Filipino spaghetti is a weeknight winner for a Charlotte family. Every ingredient is available at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart, or ALDI without a special trip—spaghetti, ground pork, hot dogs, carrots, peppers, tomato paste and sauce, evaporated milk, and processed cheese (Cheez Whiz or similar) are all standard stock items. The cost per serving is genuinely low, around $0.80–$0.95 per person, driven by bulk pasta and the use of ground pork and hot dogs rather than premium proteins. The 45-minute stated time is honest: boil pasta (10 minutes), brown pork and sauté aromatics (8 minutes), simmer with tomato and milk sauce (15 minutes), mix together. It's a crowd-pleasing, forgiving dish that doesn't demand constant attention, reheats well in the microwave or stovetop, and yields 12 generous servings—making it ideal for family dinner or casual meal prep. The only minor drawback is that evaporated milk can split slightly on reheating, though it remains perfectly edible.