Napolitan Spaghetti Recipe (Naporitan): Easy Japanese Ketchup Pasta
This Napolitan spaghetti recipe, also known as Naporitan, is the ultimate Japanese ketchup pasta that is gaining global attention. Originating from Yokohama, Japan, this pasta is a perfect blend of sweet and umami flavors. While it is originally a Japanese dish, it has also become a beloved staple in Korean home cooking, cherished for its nostalgia and simplicity. Whether you’re a fan of Japanese “Yoshoku” cuisine or just need a quick 15-minute dinner, this guide will show you how to master this classic dish with a secret twist.
What is Napolitan Spaghetti?
Italian people might hate today’s dish. Napolitan is not typical Italian pasta. It’s a Japanese fusion spaghetti made with sausages, onions, and a rich ketchup-based sauce. While many think of it as simple ketchup pasta, the key to an authentic Napolitan spaghetti recipe lies in the caramelization of the sauce and the addition of umami-rich ingredients like Tonkatsu sauce and butter.
One interesting “Korean trick” involves the sauce. While the original Japanese recipe often uses Worcestershire sauce, that ingredient is quite rare in a typical Korean kitchen. Instead, many Korean households use Tonkatsu sauce as a clever substitute. This adaptation has made the Naporitan even more accessible and popular as a home-style comfort meal in Korea.
Why you’ll love this This 15-Minute Pasta Recipe
Ingredients for Napolitan Spaghetti Recipe
Main Ingredients
- 100 g spaghetti
- 2 sausages (70 g)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 small onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- 1.5 tbsp tonkatsu sauce (The “Korean Kitchen Trick”)
- 10 g butter
- 1 ladle pasta water
- 1 tsp Grana Padano powder
- 1 pinch parsley
Optional Add-Ins
- Green Bell Peppers: You can add a nice color with green and red bell peppers while also adding a crunchy texture.
- Fried egg (popular topping): Many Japanese restaurants also add a fried egg to their Napolitan spaghetti.
Step-by-Step Napolitan Spaghetti Recipe
1. Boil the Pasta
Add 1/2 tsp of salt to boiling water and cook the spaghetti for about 9 minutes. Pro Tip: Keep a ladle of pasta water before draining!
2. Prepare the Vegetables and Sausages
While the pasta is boiling, thinly slice the garlic, julienne the onions, and slice the sausages diagonally.
3. Sauté for Flavor
Heat olive oil in a pan over low heat. Sauté the garlic and onions until the onions are translucent. Add the sausages and cook until slightly browned.
4. The Ketchup Spaghetti Magic
Add 4 tbsp of ketchup and 1.5 tbsp of Tonkatsu sauce. Stir-fry briefly to caramelize the sugars in the ketchup, this is the secret to a great Napolitan spaghetti.
5. Combine and Finish
Add the cooked pasta and one ladle of pasta water. Toss over medium-low heat. Finally, add 10g of butter and let it melt into the sauce for a silky finish to your ketchup spaghetti.
Expert Tips for Perfect Ketchup Pasta
Don’t skip the Butter: It captures the density of the sauce, harmonizes with the acidity of the ketchup, and adds softness to the Napolitan spaghetti.
Caramelize the Sauce: Always fry the ketchup for a few seconds before adding the pasta to deepen the flavor of your Napolitan pasta.
Add Extra Toppings: A fried egg on top or some green bell peppers will make your Napolitan Spaghetti look and taste like it came from an authentic Japanese restaurant.
Storage and Reheating Tips
It’s most delicious when eaten immediately, but if there are leftovers of your ketchup spaghetti, try this:
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat in a pan with 1–2 tbsp water over low heat to revive the sauce texture of the Naporitan. If you’re feeling lazy, you can microwave it for about 1 minute and 30 seconds with 2 spoons of water, but it can get dry, so reheating in a pan is recommended for this Napolitan spaghetti recipe.
FAQ about Napolitan Spaghetti
Beyond Naporitan: Must-Try Korean-Style Fusion Pasta
If you enjoyed this Japanese-style ketchup spaghetti, you’ll love these trending Korean Pasta Recipes that blend traditional flavors with creamy textures:
Doenjang Cream Pasta (Soybean Paste Pasta)
A unique fusion dish that uses Korean soybean paste (Doenjang) to create a deeply savory, nutty cream sauce. It’s the ultimate “K-style” pasta.
Creamy Doenjang Pasta (Korean Carbonara) with Pork Belly
Toowoomba Pasta (Korean Spicy Cream Pasta)
Inspired by a famous steakhouse dish but reinvented in Korea. This spicy, thick cream pasta with shrimp and mushrooms is a viral sensation for a reason.
Toowoomba Pasta (Cream Korean Pasta)
Napolitan Spaghetti Recipe (Naporitan): Easy Japanese Ketchup Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 100 g Spaghetti
- 70 g Frank sausages 2 sausages
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 Onion small one
- 4 tbsp Ketchup
- 1.5 tbsp Tonkatsu sauce
- 10 g Butter
- 1 ladle Pasta water
- 1 tsp Grana padano powder
- 1 pinch Dried parsley
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
- Add 1/2 tsp salt to boiling water and cook the spaghetti (about 9 minutes).100 g Spaghetti
- Drain the cooked spaghetti and mix with a drizzle of olive oil. This prevents the noodles from sticking together.Do not discard the pasta water, as it will be used later for the pasta.1 tbsp Olive oil
- Slice the garlic thinly and slice the onion.Cut the sausages diagonally into thin, long pieces.2 cloves Garlic, 1/2 Onion, 70 g Frank sausages
- Add olive oil to a pan and sauté the garlic and onion over low heat.2 cloves Garlic, 2 tbsp Olive oil, 1/2 Onion
- When the onion becomes slightly translucent, add the sausage and stir-fry.70 g Frank sausages
- Add 4 tbsp ketchup and 1.5 tbsp Tonkatsu sauce, stir, then add the spaghetti and 1 ladle of pasta water. Stir-fry over medium-low heat.100 g Spaghetti, 4 tbsp Ketchup, 1.5 tbsp Tonkatsu sauce, 1 ladle Pasta water
- When the sauce is well combined, add 10 g butter and stir over low heat until melted and coated.10 g Butter
- Plate the pasta, sprinkle Grana Padano powder, and finish with 1 pinch of parsley.1 pinch Dried parsley, 1 tsp Grana padano powder
Nutrition
Conclusion
Making a delicious Napolitan spaghetti recipe doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few pantry staples and 15 minutes, you can enjoy an authentic Naporitan at home. This ketchup pasta is proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors.
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