Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water — it should taste seasoned on its own.

- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed.

- Deglaze the pan with wine or broth to incorporate the browned bits into the final sauce.

- Pat ingredients dry before breading or frying to help the coating adhere properly.

Cooking Tips

Cook pasta to al dente (firm to the bite) — it will continue cooking slightly when tossed with hot sauce. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, and cheese. Dried pasta absorbs seasoning, so don't be shy.

Ingredient Substitutions

Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Metro Manila, International

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce — Filipino-style pasta with sweet sauce, hotdogs, and cheese. A uniquely Filipino comfort food.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Total: 45 min Medium Serves 11

Instructions

  1. Heat the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the water and arrange in a serving plate. Set aside.
  2. Start to make the meat by browning the beef. Do this by placing the meat in a deep pan. Turn-on the heat to medium. Cook the beef until brown while stirring once in awhile.
  3. Add-in the olive oil, garlic, onion, and carrots. Stir and cook until the onion turns soft.
  4. Pour-in the tomato puree. Stir and let boil. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add water if the sauce starts to reduce.
  5. Remove the cover and put the heat back to medium. Add the oregano, thyme, basil, salt, and ground back pepper. Stir and cook for 3 minutes.
  6. Put-in the tomato paste. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
  7. Top the spaghetti meat sauce over the cooked spaghetti noodles. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
  8. Serve.

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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water — it should taste seasoned on its own.
- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Deglaze the pan with wine or broth to incorporate the browned bits into the final sauce.
- Pat ingredients dry before breading or frying to help the coating adhere properly.

Cooking Tips

Cook pasta to al dente (firm to the bite) — it will continue cooking slightly when tossed with hot sauce. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency.
Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, and cheese. Dried pasta absorbs seasoning, so don't be shy.

Substitutions

Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
M

Maria Santos

Traditional Filipino & Kapampangan Cuisine

Maria Santos is a valued contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. Based in Pampanga, she shares recipes inspired by Kapampangan and traditional Filipino comfort food — dishes she learned through years of home cooking and family tradition.

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