McDonald’s McSpaghetti Copycat
45 min
|
easy
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 min | 25 min | 45 min |
Introduction
This fun McDonald’s McSpaghetti copycat recipe brings home the sweet, savory fast-food style spaghetti loved in the Philippines.
Inspired by a Reddit post about Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti and our Asia travels, it’s a playful twist on classic pasta night.
Ground beef, hot dog coins, and a slightly sweet tomato sauce make it kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for casual dinners.
Ingredients (6 servings)
Ingredients for the Sauce
Ingredients for the Pasta
Ingredients for Topping
Get Ingredients →Order the ingredients from your local store for pickup or delivery. You'll check out through Instacart.
When you purchase through this link, we'll receive a small fee at no extra cost to you.
How to Make McDonald’s McSpaghetti Copycat
-
Gather and prep the ingredients
Chop the onion finely, mince the garlic, and slice the hot dogs into thin coins.
Grate the cheddar cheese if it is not already shredded, then set it aside in the refrigerator.
-
Brown the beef and aromatics
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wide pot over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, so it does not burn.
Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until no pink remains, about 6 minutes.
-
Cook the hot dogs
Stir the sliced hot dogs into the beef mixture and cook until slightly browned around the edges.
This step adds flavor and keeps the hot dogs from tasting boiled in the finished sauce.
-
Build the sweet-savory sauce
Pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, and tomato paste, stirring to combine with the meat and hot dogs.
Add the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, salt, and black pepper, then stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste the sauce and adjust the sugar, vinegar, or salt if you prefer it sweeter, tangier, or saltier.
If the sauce seems very thick, splash in a little water until it reaches your favorite consistency.
-
Boil the spaghetti
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Salt the water generously, then add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside.
Drain the spaghetti well, then return it to the warm pot to keep it from sticking.
-
Combine pasta and sauce
Add a few ladles of sauce to the drained spaghetti and toss until the strands are lightly coated.
If the pasta seems dry, drizzle in a little reserved pasta water while tossing until it looks glossy.
For a true fast-food look, keep most sauce separate and spoon it generously over each serving instead.
-
Top with cheese and serve
Portion the spaghetti onto plates, then spoon extra meat sauce over the top.
Sprinkle each serving with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese so it melts into the hot sauce.
Serve right away while the spaghetti is hot, saucy, and cheesy.
Substitutions
- Ground beef -> ground turkey or chicken
- Use equal parts lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter sauce that still tastes rich and comforting. Brown it well to build flavor, since poultry starts milder than beef.
- Hot dogs -> smoked sausage or all-beef franks
- Swap the hot dogs for sliced smoked sausage or all-beef franks for deeper, smokier flavor. The sauce will taste slightly less sweet and more grown-up, without losing that fast-food feel.
- Cheddar cheese -> mozzarella or processed cheese slices
- Use shredded low-moisture mozzarella for extra stretch and gooey pull, like classic pizza-style cheese on spaghetti. You can also tear up American cheese slices for a nostalgic, super creamy fast-food vibe.
Tips
- Use a wide pan for better browning
- Cooking the beef in a wide skillet lets more moisture evaporate and creates deeper browning. That browned fond on the bottom gives the sauce its savory fast-food style depth.
- Aim for a slightly sweet sauce
- McSpaghetti style sauce should taste slightly sweeter than typical Italian-American marinara. Adjust the sugar a teaspoon at a time until it hits that nostalgic balance.
- Do not skip salting the pasta water
- Salting the pasta water is your chance to season the spaghetti from the inside out. It helps the pasta stand up to the bold, sweet-savory sauce.
- Let the sauce rest before serving
- After simmering, turn off the heat and let the sauce sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The flavors mellow and the sauce thickens slightly for better coating on the noodles.
- Serve cheese on the side for picky eaters
- If you have kids who dislike melted cheese, serve the cheddar in a bowl at the table. Everyone can add as much or as little as they like.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 624 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 25 | g |
| Total Fat | 37 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- How can I keep the sauce from tasting too sweet?
- Different ketchup brands vary in sweetness, so start with slightly less sugar than listed. If the sauce tastes too sweet, add a splash of vinegar or a pinch of salt to balance. Let it simmer a few more minutes, then taste again before adjusting further.
- Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
- Yes, the sauce actually tastes better the next day after the flavors mingle. Cool it completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if it seems too thick.
- What if my sauce is too thin?
- Simmer the sauce uncovered for several more minutes to let extra liquid evaporate. Stir often so it does not scorch on the bottom of the pan. In a pinch, add another small spoonful of tomato paste for body and richness.
- Can I use a different pasta shape instead of spaghetti?
- Yes, any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine works well with this saucy style. Short shapes like penne or rotini are also fun and hold plenty of meat and hot dog pieces. Cook whichever shape you choose just to al dente, so it does not turn mushy.
Serving Suggestions
For a fun twist, serve this McSpaghetti with garlic bread and a crisp green salad for contrast.
Leftover sauce also makes amazing sloppy joe style sandwiches spooned over toasted buns with extra cheddar.
For a party, set up a spaghetti bar with toppings like chopped pickles, hot sauce, and extra cheese.
Reviews
-
She, Philippines: It doesn't taste like McDonald's spaghetti. It's a bit sour. Had to tweak it
: Sorry it turned out a bit sour; next time try Filipino-style banana ketchup, cut the vinegar way down, and let the sauce simmer longer to mellow the acidity. Glad you adjusted it to your taste 😊
Made this recipe? How did it go?
Please leave your feedback below. We’d love to hear from you!
