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.

- Sear proteins in a hot pan for a deep brown crust before finishing in the oven or sauce.

- For salads, toss the dressing in just before serving to keep the greens crisp.

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 Tomato and Basil

Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil

Metro Manila, International

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

Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Total: 25 min Medium Serves 9

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instruction.
  2. Heat a skillet or pan then pour-in the olive oil.
  3. Sauté the garlic until color turns medium yellow.
  4. Add in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes
  5. Drain the pasta then put it in the skillet or pan and toss.
  6. Add the fresh basil, salt, and pepper then toss the pasta once more.
  7. Turn off the heat then transfer the pasta to a serving dish.
  8. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top then 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.
- Sear proteins in a hot pan for a deep brown crust before finishing in the oven or sauce.
- For salads, toss the dressing in just before serving to keep the greens crisp.

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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