Super Simple Old-Fashioned Neapolitan Spaghetti
Whip it Up Quickly at Home! Nostalgic Ketchup Taste Neapolitan Spaghetti Recipe
Hello everyone! This is Seulbi. If you’re craving pasta but don’t have many ingredients at home, don’t worry! The Neapolitan Spaghetti I’m sharing today is incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to be delicious. >3< Everyone loves ketchup, and the combination with the savory flavor of ham and onions makes it a dish anyone can enjoy. With this recipe, you can easily create a wonderful meal in no time! I'd love to see your interest, saves, and follows. ♥
Ingredients- 1L Water (for boiling pasta)
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt (for boiling pasta)
- 1 Serving Spaghetti (approx. 100g)
- 1/2 Onion (thinly sliced)
- A little Ham (thinly sliced, use smoked ham, bacon, sausage, etc. to your preference)
- 3 Tbsp Ketchup
- 0.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or salt if unavailable)
- 3 Tbsp Pasta Water
- Pinch of Parsley Flakes (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first step to making delicious Neapolitan Spaghetti! Fill a large pot with 1L of water and add 1 Tbsp of coarse salt. Salt helps season the pasta and prevents it from sticking together.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the other ingredients! Thinly slice the ham into about 0.5cm thick pieces. Similarly, thinly slice the onion. (I used smoked ham I had at home, but using bacon or other types of sausages will give you a richer flavor. Adjust the amount to your liking, but I used it all because I didn’t want to waste it!)
Step 3
Once the water is boiling vigorously, add 1 serving (approx. 100g) of spaghetti. It’s best to gently loosen the pasta strands as you add them to prevent clumping.
Step 4
To prevent the pasta from sticking to the sides of the pot or burning while cooking, once the edges soften, use chopsticks or tongs to gently push the pasta strands down into the boiling water.
Step 5
Prepare another pan. Add about 1-2 Tbsp of cooking oil to the pan and stir-fry the sliced ham until it’s lightly browned. The flavorful oil rendered from the ham will add depth to the dish.
Step 6
Once the ham is nicely browned and fragrant, add the sliced onion and sauté them together. Cook until the onion becomes translucent and releases its sweet aroma.
Step 7
Now for the key to the flavor! Add 3 Tbsp of ketchup to the pan and stir-fry it with the ham and onions. Lightly sautéing the ketchup enhances its sweet and tangy taste.
Step 8
Add 0.5 Tbsp of soy sauce for an extra layer of umami. If you don’t have soy sauce, you can season with salt at this stage. Stir everything together and continue to cook.
Step 9
The trick is to cook the pasta for about 2 minutes less than the time recommended on the package! I cooked mine for 6 minutes since the package said 8 minutes. Drain the pasta slightly and transfer it to the pan with the sauce. Now, toss the pasta and sauce together, as if you’re mixing them, until the pasta is coated and the sauce clings to it.
Step 10
If the pasta seems too dry, add 3 Tbsp of the reserved pasta water. Pasta water helps to adjust the consistency of the sauce and allows it to meld better with the noodles.
Step 11
A special tip! If you have any leftover powder seasoning from instant spicy noodles (like ‘Buldak Bokkeummyeon’), adding a little can introduce a spicy kick and more umami. Of course, this step is optional and the dish is delicious without it!
Step 12
We’re almost done! Plate the Neapolitan Spaghetti attractively and, if desired, sprinkle with parsley flakes. Parsley adds a lovely aroma and visual appeal. (This is also optional!) Now, enjoy your delicious, nostalgic Neapolitan Spaghetti!
