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By
Setsuko Yoshizuka
Setsuko Yoshizuka
Setsuko Yoshizuka is a freelance food writer and Japanese cookbook author.
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Updated on 05/31/22
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Hero-01-2a48c49971bf47d1a5f4e037d439963a.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (1)")
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 2 servings
69 ratings
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Spaghetti napolitan, also known as spaghetti naporitan, is a Japanese-style pasta dish made with a sauce that is tomato ketchup based. This particular style of Japanese pasta is considered yoshoku cuisine, or Western cuisine with unique Japanese influences. Another term for Japanese-style pasta is wafu pasta.
The recipe for spaghetti napolitan is unique in that sliced onion and green bell pepper are sautéed with either ham (lunch meat style) or bacon and then tossed with spaghetti noodles and tomato ketchup. Finally, it's simply seasoned with salt and black pepper, and served with hot sauce for those who enjoy a bit of spice.
Spaghetti napolitan was created by Head Chef Shigetada Irie at the New Grand Hotel in Yokohama, Japan, shortly after the end of World War II. It was named napolitan, or napoli, after Naples, Italy. It is believed that this recipe was inspired by the spaghetti and tomato sauce dish that the U.S. troops were eating overseas. Interestingly, in order to make Japanese-style spaghetti napolitan properly, tomato ketchup must be used as the base for the sauce and not tomato sauce or puree.
This dish is quite easy to prepare and can be made in under 30 minutes. It is often served at home, but it is also a standard wafu pasta menu item at cafés in Japan.
Ingredients
For the Noodles:
8 cups water
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
7 ounces spaghetti
For the Napolitan Sauce:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
1/4 pound sausage, or ham, sliced
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons butter
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Tapatio, for serving, optional
Steps to Make It
Gather the ingredients.
In a large pot over high heat, combine about 8 cups of water and 1/2 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil and cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, about 7 minutes. (The pasta will be cooked once more with the sauce.)
Drain noodles well and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat vegetable oil. Stir-fry bell pepper, onion, and sausage until softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add drained spaghetti to skillet and toss gently with vegetables and sausage.
Add ketchup and stir-fry spaghetti, coating all of the ingredients.
Mix butter in with pasta, add salt and pepper, if necessary, to taste. Remove from heat.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with hot sauce, if you like.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-01-34b2baaa13624a9b8c9a68562fcb53bb.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (2)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-02-0dacdfd53e6b430f9267f7a46eb9ca47.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (3)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-03-82d07caaa39348029336791d77513198.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (4)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-04-47e78330a9e448e39fa6716369e0cf5a.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (5)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-05-d2be7f6872b44adebb43a7a860581712.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (6)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-06-6354ff1bb9e14bb781d46852258e570b.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (7)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-07-9d0a0f144d4841aaa562ada4e0239593.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (8)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spaghetti-napolitan-japanese-ketchup-pasta-2031629-Step-08-51a661d191db47b7b2593460d59fc2f0.jpg "Easy Japanese Style Ketchup Based Pasta 'Spaghetti Napolitan' (9)")
Recipe Variation
- Feel free to add other veggies in, such as mushrooms, peas, or whatever you desire.
- Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top in place of the hot sauce.
- Omit the meat and make it a vegetarian dish.
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| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 468 | Calories |
| 25g | Fat |
| 48g | Carbs |
| 14g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 2 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 468 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 25g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat 8g | 41% |
| Cholesterol 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium 2648mg | 115% |
| Total Carbohydrate 48g | 18% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 11% |
| Total Sugars 13g | |
| Protein 14g | |
| Vitamin C 47mg | 237% |
| Calcium 75mg | 6% |
| Iron 2mg | 14% |
| Potassium 639mg | 14% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Recipe Tags:
- Tomato
- dinner
- japanese
- family dinner
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I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!
