Spaghetti with Condensed Milk

This spaghetti with condensed milk looks like your ordinary spaghetti but this dish taste like the spaghetti in fastfood joints, saucy, slightly sweet and geared to Filipino taste. There is a saying that don’t judge a book by it’s cover like this spaghetti that looks ordinary but the taste is superb. And with regard to the Italian seasoning, if you can’t find it in big supermarkets, you can make your own. Just mix equal amount of basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary and thyme then grind it in a food processor.

Spaghetti with Condensed Milk: A Sweet Taste of Home

When I think of childhood birthdays or family gatherings, one dish always stands out: sweet, saucy spaghetti. But not just any spaghetti—the kind that combines savory flavors with a creamy sweetness, making it irresistible to both kids and grown-ups. One time, during my cousin Arlene’s son’s birthday party in Bulacan, I noticed that the spaghetti she served had a taste that immediately transported me back to my own childhood celebrations. When I asked her what made it so special, she revealed her secret ingredient: condensed milk.

This twist on the classic Filipino-style spaghetti has a charm that’s hard to resist. It looks simple, like the typical spaghetti you’d find on a busy table, but don’t let its appearance fool you. One bite of this creamy, slightly sweet dish will have you reaching for seconds—and maybe thirds!

Why Filipinos Love Sweet Spaghetti

Filipino spaghetti has always been about blending flavors that cater to our unique taste buds. While its roots are in Italian cuisine, it has evolved to reflect Filipino preferences: sweet, savory, and comforting. During the American occupation, canned goods like condensed milk and spaghetti sauce became pantry staples, leading to the creation of dishes that incorporated these ingredients. Fast-forward to today, and sweet spaghetti is a beloved part of every Filipino celebration, from birthdays to fiestas.

The addition of condensed milk might raise eyebrows among purists, but it works wonders. Condensed milk not only enhances the sweetness but also adds creaminess to the sauce, balancing the tangy notes of the tomato and the savory richness of the ground beef. This is why it’s often compared to the spaghetti you’d enjoy in fast food restaurants, with that iconic sweet, saucy flavor.

Cooking Spaghetti with Condensed Milk: A Nostalgic Experience

The first time I tried making spaghetti with condensed milk at home, I followed my Uncle Ben’s advice. He used to work as a cook in Quezon City, and he swore that the secret to perfect sweet spaghetti was layering the flavors carefully. True to his word, the process is straightforward yet rewarding.

Start with a heavy saucepan to ensure even cooking. Heat oil and sauté onions until they’re soft and translucent—this is crucial because it brings out their natural sweetness. Add garlic next, letting it turn a light golden brown to infuse the oil with a fragrant aroma.

When it’s time to add the ground beef, break it up with your spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning. This step builds the foundation of flavor for your sauce. Then come the stars of the dish: spaghetti sauce, sliced hotdogs, and Italian seasoning. My sister Rica once shared a hack for when she couldn’t find store-bought Italian seasoning. She mixed dried basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and thyme in equal parts and ground them herself—it worked like a charm!

Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Then, stir in the condensed milk. This is where the magic happens. The milk rounds out the sharpness of the tomatoes and adds a luscious creaminess to the sauce. Once it’s thoroughly mixed, toss it gently with cooked pasta, being careful not to break the noodles.

Serve this dish with toasted bread or garlic bread, and watch everyone’s faces light up. It’s pure comfort in every bite, reminding you of simpler, happier times.

The Secret to Perfect Sweet Spaghetti

What makes spaghetti with condensed milk so special isn’t just the condensed milk, but the balance it brings to the other ingredients. Tomato-based sauces can be quite acidic, and the milk softens this edge, creating a harmonious flavor profile. It also ensures that the sauce clings beautifully to the pasta, making every forkful flavorful and satisfying.

The inclusion of hotdogs is another distinctly Filipino touch, adding a hint of smokiness and nostalgia. Many of us grew up with hotdog-studded spaghetti, and it’s a tradition we continue to this day. The bay leaf, though subtle, adds depth and complexity to the dish.

A Taste That Brings People Together

One of the best things about spaghetti with condensed milk is its versatility. It’s the kind of dish that brings people together, whether you’re cooking it for a family reunion or a casual merienda with friends. And it’s beginner-friendly too! Even if you’re new to cooking, the simple steps and accessible ingredients make it a foolproof recipe.

Whenever I make spaghetti with condensed milk, I’m reminded of those cherished family moments: sitting around the table, sharing stories, and laughing over plates piled high with sweet, saucy noodles. It’s more than just food—it’s a taste of home, a reminder of the love and effort that goes into every dish shared with those we care about.

So the next time you’re looking to bring a little joy and nostalgia to your kitchen, give this recipe a try. It might just become a new favorite, or better yet, a tradition for your own celebrations. After all, some of the best dishes are the ones that tell a story.

Print Recipe

4.75 from 4 votes

How to Cook Spaghetti with Condensed Milk

Spaghetti with condensed milk is a creamy, sweet, and savory twist on classic Filipino-style spaghetti, perfectly balancing tangy tomato sauce with a luscious, milky sweetness.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Pasta

Cuisine: Filipino

Keyword: condensed milk, Filipino style spaghetti, spaghetti pinoy style, spaghetti with condensed milk, sweet spaghetti

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 350kcal

Author: Manny

Ingredients

• 1 pack 500 grams pasta, cooked according to package directions
• 1/2 kilo ground beef
• 1 cup sliced hotdogs
• 1 pack 750 grams spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil or any cooking oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 pc bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup condensed milk

Instructions

How to Cook Spaghetti with Condensed Milk

• In a heavy saucepan, heat oil and saute onions until transparent.
• Add garlic and saute until light brown. Add ground beef and stir cook until brown.
• Pour in spaghetti sauce, hotdogs, bay leaf, and Italian seasoning.
• Simmer, about 5 minutes. Stir in condensed milk. Mix thoroughly. Remove from heat.
• Toss with cooked pasta gently. Serve with toasted bread or garlic bread.

Notes

Cooking Tips of:

Use Fresh Aromatics for a Flavorful Base

Sautéing onions and garlic until fragrant is essential for creating a robust flavor base for your spaghetti sauce. Ensure the onions turn translucent and the garlic becomes golden brown, as this step releases their natural sweetness and infuses the oil with aromatic depth. Skipping this stage can lead to a sauce that tastes flat or lacks complexity.

Add Condensed Milk Gradually

When incorporating condensed milk into the sauce, add it slowly and stir thoroughly to achieve a smooth, well-blended consistency. This technique prevents the sauce from becoming overly sweet, allowing you to adjust the flavor balance to your preference. A gradual addition also helps maintain the creamy texture without overpowering the dish's savory elements.

Simmer for Better Flavor Fusion

Let the sauce simmer after adding the seasonings and condensed milk to meld the flavors together. This slow cooking process enhances the sweetness of the milk while intensifying the savory and smoky notes from the hotdogs and ground beef. Avoid rushing this step, as it ensures every bite is rich and well-rounded.