In our three-child household, pasta nights are always a hit, but nothing hits a homerun like my mom’s Filipino spaghetti. This delicious dish brings a nostalgic twist of my childhood to a classic pasta dish by introducing two classic Asian staples: banana ketchup and Chinese sausage. The sweetness of the ketchup and the candy-like sausage wheels complement the acidity of the tomatoes and the nuttiness of the cheese, creating an instant favorite for palates of all ages. I particularly enjoy cooking this dish with my 2-year-old daughter!
Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large stockpot and cook the pasta until tender but firm, about 9 minutes. Drain in a colander and toss with the olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Heat the bacon fat in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Chinese sausage and cook, stirring, until fragrant and brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the sausage and reserve.
Saute the garlic and onions in the same skillet over medium-high heat until the onions are slightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the ground pork and cook until the meat is brown and any juice from the meat has evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the tomato paste and continue to cook until the paste is slightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree and banana ketchup. Stir to combine and blend the flavors. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened like Bolognese, about 15 minutes.
Add the porcini powder and season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the reserved sausage. Pour the sauce over the pasta and finish with the Cheddar.
Cook’s Note
Put your own personal touch on this recipe by using different sized noodles or cheese. My mom prefers Cheddar, but I am a pecorino guy all the way! Love heat? Kick up the spice by using hot and spicy banana ketchup.
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