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One of my FAVORITE pasta dishes is Spaghetti Napolitan, otherwise known as Japanese Ketchup Spaghetti.
I learned about this dish from Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide.
So delicious, budget friendly, and made up of mostly pantry ingredients, I believe that this classic Japanese dish will become one of your favorite pasta dishes as well!
Jump to:
What Is Spaghetti Napolitan?
Spaghetti Napolitan (or Spaghetti Naporitan), was created in Japan by chef Shigetada Irie of the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama (source Wikipedia.org). This western style dish, or "yoshoku," was named after the Italian city of Napoli (Naples).
Coffee shops all over Japan specialize in this dish, which features a ketchup based sauce. Ketchup in spaghetti may sound strange, but please don't knock this until you try this! And you won't knock this because you'll love it!
In addition to ketchup common ingredients in this, one of Japan's most popular pasta dishes, include luncheon meat, sausages, onion, bell pepper, button mushrooms and finished off with Tabasco sauce.
Why You Will Love This Japanese Pasta!
You will want to make this pasta and will absolutely love this recipe because:
- It's absolutely delicious! The ketchup imparts a wonderful sweet tomato flavor to the pasta which makes it irresistible!
- This is budget friendly, and made up of common ingredients. You may already have most of these ingredients available and ready to make some yummy Spaghetti Naporitan!
- You can have a fantastic family friendly meal on your table in about 30 minutes. Quick, easy, and perfect for a busy weeknight!
So now let me tell you what you will need to make one of the most famous Japanese yoshoku dishes!
🥘 Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this Napolitan recipe:
- Spaghetti
- Reserved starchy pasta water (collected just prior to draining the spaghetti)
- Ham (can sub other type of luncheon meat)
- Onion
- Green bell peppers
- Butter
- Garlic
- Olive oil
And you will need these ingredients to make the delicious ketchup based sauce:
- Tomato ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tomato paste
- Sugar
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Water
I also recommend these items for the perfect finishing touches to this awesome Japanese creation:
- Parmesan cheese (as much or as little as you like)
- Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce for a little bit of heat
As you can see, many of these ingredients are pantry staples which you may already have available.
So what are we waiting for? Let's make this delightful Japanese spaghetti dish!
🔪 Instructions
It's super easy to make this simple pasta dish. Begin by preparing the ketchup sauce by combining the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Then set this aside and we'll start working on the pasta!
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, and cook your pasta according to the package directions. Collect ½ cup of pasta water just prior to draining the pasta, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
While you are cooking the pasta, heat up 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the onion and the minced garlic, and stir for 3 minutes until the onion is softened.
Add the sliced green bell pepper and ham, and stir for around 2 minutes.
Now add the sauce to the ham and veggies, and stir to combine.
Ok it's time to add the pasta and mix everything together. Start adding reserved pasta water tablespoon by tablespoon until your pasta is nice and loose and doesn't stick together. You may or may not use all of the reserved pasta water. Then add the butter and mix it in, allowing it to melt. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
Time To Enjoy Your Japanese Ketchup Spaghetti!
Et voila! Your Spaghetti Napolitan is now ready to enjoy! Add as much or as little Parmesan cheese as you desire, and a few dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce.
I'll just bet there will be no leftovers, and your family will request this Japanese-style pasta on a regular basis. 😊
FAQ
Spaghetti Napolitan (or Spaghetti Naporitan), was created in Japan by chef Shigetada Irie of the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama (source Wikipedia.org). This western style dish, or "yoshoku," was named after the Italian city of Napoli (Naples). This dish features a ketchup based sauce and commonly includes luncheon meat, onion, mushrooms, green bell pepper, and hot sauce.
Store leftover spaghetti napolitan in an airtight container in your refrigerator and consume within 4 days.
Some other ingredients or substitutions to consider for this dish include sliced hot dogs, sliced button mushrooms, or even Japanese sausages. It would also be great served with a fried egg on top!
Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
Here are some other recipes that you may enjoy:
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Grace
Japanese Spaghetti Napolitan Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large pot to cook the spaghetti
- 1 large pan to fry the spaghetti and other ingredients together
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti cooked according to package directions
- ½ cup reserved pasta water collect this water just prior to draining the pasta (you may not use all of this water but be sure to reserve it just in case)
- 4 oz ham cut into thin strips; can sub other type of lunch meat
- ½ onion select a large onion and cut ½ the onion into thin slices
- ½ green bell pepper select a large green bell pepper and cut ½ the green bell pepper into thin slices
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Ketchup Based Sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ts Worcestershire sauce
- ½ ts sugar
- ¼ ts salt
- ¼ ts pepper
- 2 tablespoon water
Garnishes
- Parmesan cheese as little or as much as you want!
- Tabasco sauce for a lovely bit of heat!
Instructions
Prepare The Ketchup Sauce
- Combine the sauce ingredients (ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, and water) in a small bowl and mix well. Set the sauce aside.
Cook The Spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, and cook your pasta according to the package directions. Collect ½ cup of pasta water just prior to draining the pasta, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
Get The Veggies And Ham Ready
- While you are cooking the pasta, heat up 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the onion and the minced garlic, and stir for 3 minutes until the onion is softened.
- Add the sliced green bell pepper and ham, and stir for around 2 minutes.
- Add the sauce to the ham and veggies, and stir to combine.
Now Add The Pasta, Reserved Pasta Water, and Butter!
- Now add the pasta and mix everything together. Start adding reserved pasta water tablespoon by tablespoon until your pasta is nice and loose and doesn't stick together. You may or may not use all of the reserved pasta water. Then add the butter and mix it in, allowing it to melt. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
Enjoy!
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle some Tabasco and enjoy!
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