Last Updated on March 29, 2023
[ヴィーガンスパゲッティナポリタン]
Vegan Spaghetti Napolitan is a vegan friendly-version of a popular Japanese pasta dish, spaghetti napolitan. This nostalgic & comforting dish is very easy to make and super flavorful!
What’s Spaghetti Napolitan?
Believe it or not, spaghetti napolitan [スパゲッティナポリタン] is a Japanese dish! it’s basically spaghetti with ketchup sauce made with onion, green bell peppers, mushrooms, sausage and bacon. For the Japanese people, it’s a nostalgic “yoshoku [洋食]” style food which translates as “Western influenced cooking style food.”
Spaghetti napolitan is a popular menu item in Japan where you can find it at many restaurants and cafes. How we eat the spaghetti napolitan is with Parmesan-like cheese (a.k.a. processed parmesan cheese) and Tabasco sauce.
Vegan Spaghetti Napolitan is a vegan-friendly version of the classic spaghetti napolitan. It’s just as good as the original one and cruelty-free!
The word “Napolitan” is derived from Naples in Italy. It was originally created by a Japanese chef many many years ago.
Fast forward, it’s still one of a popular yoshoku style dishes in Japan. When my mom cooked Spaghetti Napolitan, there were always leftovers that would make an surprise appearance in the bento box for my lunch that I’d take to music school.
Ketchup, not Tomato Sauce
Ketchup with pasta may not sound appetizing for many people but I guarantee this dish will change your expectations!
The image of dressing spaghetti with ketchup only seems very bland and flavorless. But when you cook with aromatic veggies like garlic, onion, mushrooms, green bell peppers, and vegan sausage, it will completely change your perception of it!
What Makes Spaghetti Napolitan “Authentic”?
To make the Japanese classic Spaghetti Napolitan , those ingredients are a must have!
- Vegan Sausage
- Yellow Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Mushroom
- Ketchup
- Spaghetti
I wouldn’t skip or substitute any of the above for the authenticity. Actually, I use garlic & vegan butter as well but I didn’t include them as the must-have ingredients.
Optional Topping Suggestions
I use my vegan Parmesan-style cheese for the extra flavor. It’s made with Brazil nuts, nutritional yeast, onion & garlic powder and salt. It’s healthy and easy to make!
Also, if you like a spicy kick, Tabasco sauce is what you want to use! That’s how we serve spaghetti napolitan in Japan!
Be sure to check out the “Step-by-Step Instructions (w/ Photos)” after the Printable Recipe!
Vegan Spaghetti Napolitan
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound spaghetti
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 cup sliced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper
- 4 oz sliced cremini mushrooms about 4-5 pcs
- 1 vegan sausage I use Field Roast Italian Sausage, thinly sliced
- 1/4 tsp sea salt adjust to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 6 tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 cup pasta cooking water plus more as necessary
- 1/2 tbsp unsalted vegan butter
- 1/2 tbsp minced parsley
- Vegan parmesan style cheese optional
- Tabasco sauce optional
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot. Salt the water and start cooking spaghetti for 10-12 minutes (or follow the instructions on the package.) Reserve the pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat up a frying pan at medium high heat. Add extra virgin olive oil and cook garlic for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Add yellow onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add green bell pepper, cremini mushrooms, and sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until mushrooms are shrunk down. Season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add ketchup and pasta cooking water. Mix well and continue to simmer until the pasta is done.
- Drain the spaghetti then transfer to the sauce. Give a quick toss then add vegan butter. Toss again.
- Serve with parsley and vegan parmesan style cheese on top (optional.) If you like spicy add a few dashes of Tabasco sauce for a kick (optional.)
Step-by-Step Instructions (w/ Photos)
First, prep all the ingredients.
1. Boil water in a large pot.
Salt the water and start cooking spaghetti for 10-12 minutes (or follow the instructions on the package.) Reserve the pasta cooking water.
2. Meanwhile, heat up a frying pan at medium high heat. Add extra virgin olive oil and cook garlic for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Add yellow onion and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Then add green bell pepper, cremini mushrooms, and sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until mushrooms are shrunk down.
Season with salt and pepper.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add ketchup and pasta cooking water. Mix well and continue to simmer until the pasta is done.
5. Drain the spaghetti then transfer to the sauce. Give a quick toss.
Add vegan butter and toss again.
6. Serve with parsley and vegan parmesan style cheese on top (optional.) If you like spicy add a few dashes of Tabasco sauce for a kick (optional.)
If you enjoy the recipe, please share, tag us @plantbased_matters and leave a comment below! Your kind support will be much appreciated 🙂
![BRAZIL NUT PARMESAN
[パルメザン風ブラジルナッツ]
My simple & classic vegan nut cheese, Brazil Nut Parmesan, never gets old! I sprinkle this deliciousness on just about everything — pasta, salad, toast, and more!
I love making a big batch and keeping it in the fridge for whenever I need a quick and flavorful topping.
Want to try it? The complete recipe with step-by-step instructions is available at plantbasedmatters.net](https://plantbasedmatters.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)