Best pasta dishes for your Filipino-inspired Thanksgiving dinner

Photo from itsforkandspoon/Instagram

Many Filipino American families blend culinary traditions when celebrating Thanksgiving. Fusion dishes help younger generations feel more connected to the food of their immigrant parents during the holidays.

If you’re planning to put a Filipino spin on traditional Thanksgiving fare, here are some of the best Filipino pasta dishes that can elevate your holiday spread.

10 best Filipino pasta dishes to serve this Thanksgiving (or Christmas!)

Longganisa Aglio e Olio

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A Filipino spin on the classic Italian fare, this easy and quick dish is perfected by the sweet and garlicky Filipino sausage, longganisa, olive oil and lots of garlic.

Add a dash of paprika for a hint of sweetness and sprinkle parsley on top for added vibrancy and flavor.

Check out the recipe here.

Adobo Penne

Photo from Yummy.ph

Got some adobo leftovers (that could last for days)? Whip it into a whole new meal this Thanksgiving. Toss the adobo with penne pasta for a fusion of flavors. Expect a comforting dish that’s sure to set the holiday vibes at home.

Here’s the recipe.

You may also like: Adobo 101: Everything we need to know about the popular Filipino dish

Fettuccine with luncheon meat and celery in banana ketchup

Photo from Cookpad

Proof of the Filipinos’ penchant for adding a sweet twist to their dish, this pasta blends in the savory flavors of luncheon meat, celery and banana ketchup’s sweetness, perfect for the joyful season. You can also use banana sauce if you’ve run out of ketchup.

Click here for the recipe.

Bagoong pasta

Taking inspiration from Aglio e Olio, this dish comes with Filipino flavor similar to anchovies — the bagoong or fermented shrimp paste. 

For the unfamiliar, the paste might be an acquired taste but it’s worth trying if you’re up for a unique taste this season of family reunions.

Tuyo pasta

You might want to consider your neighbors before cooking this dish. Featuring dried salted fish with incredible flavor, Tuyo yields a strong aroma.

Tossed with pasta, olive oil and garlic, this is a simple yet bold dish that your guests will love this Thanksgiving.

Serve it with garlic bread on the side for a more exciting meal.

Filipino macaroni (no-bake recipe)

Ideal for feeding the whole family, this Filipino mac-and-cheese is comforting and satisfying. A hallmark of this recipe, hotdogs are added to the sauce to bring out the smoky flavor.

Additionally, the no-bake option makes it ideal for those who don’t have ovens at home.

Filipino-style carbonara

Unlike the original Italian version, this Filipino pasta dish swaps cream for eggs to create its signature sauce. Perfect for Thanksgiving,  Noche Buena or Media Noche, this is a rich and creamy version of carbonara.

Filipino Chicken Alfredo

Photo from Panlasang Pinoy

A satisfying dish for pasta lovers craving creaminess, richness and savory kick, the Filipino twist hinges on the chicken flakes in oil.

Here’s the recipe.

No-bake Filipino Lasagna

Using the same sweet-style meaty sauce of Filipino spaghetti, this dish boasts its rich layers of cheese. Offering a delicious alternative for those without an oven, the Filipino lasagna is perfect for the upcoming holiday celebrations.

Sweet-style Filipino spaghetti

No Filipino birthday party can be complete without this — paired with lumpia (Filipino spring roll). This unique pasta dish is the perfect mix of savory and sweet, adding merriment to the season.

Showcasing how traditional Italian recipes can be tweaked using local ingredients, the classic Filipino spaghetti uses banana ketchup, hotdogs and ground meat with others adding condensed milk or carrots for extra sweetness.