Oriental Spaghetti
A flavorful Asian-inspired spaghetti dish featuring ground meats, vegetables, and a tangy tomato-7Up sauce, perfect for hearty family dinners with a sweet and savory profile.
Ingredients
- 4 oz. thin spaghetti ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. ground pork ⓘ
- 1/3 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. green peppers, chopped ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 (7 oz.) bottle 7-Up or lemon lime ⓘ
- 1/2 c. catsup or chili sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- 1 lb. can mixed chop suey vegetables, drained ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions and heat oil in a large skillet.
- Add ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, and chopped green peppers to the skillet.
- Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes or until the meat is browned and vegetables are slightly soft.
- Stir in tomato paste, 7-Up, catsup or chili sauce, and thyme.
- Add sliced mushrooms, drained chop suey vegetables, and salt.
- Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist on flavor, consider adding some ginger or garlic to the meat mixture. You can also substitute the ground beef and pork with turkey or chicken for a lighter option. If you don't have 7-Up, any lemon-lime soda works well. To enhance the umami, add a splash of soy sauce. This dish pairs well with fried rice or steamed vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Oriental Spaghetti garnished with sliced green onions for a fresh touch. It pairs nicely with a side salad or some steamed broccoli. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Oven Chow Mein or a light soup. This dish is hearty enough to stand alone but works well for a family-style dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, to ensure even heating without drying out the spaghetti.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Oriental Spaghetti contains roughly 749 calories, with 42g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (172% of the Daily Value), protein (83% of the Daily Value), and vitamin D (66% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1519mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian by replacing the ground beef and pork with plant-based meat alternatives or extra vegetables like zucchini and carrots. You may also want to increase the amount of mushrooms and chop suey vegetables for added texture and flavor.
What can I use instead of tomato paste?
If you don't have tomato paste, you can use an equal amount of crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce as a substitute. Keep in mind that this may slightly alter the consistency of the dish, so you might need to simmer it a bit longer to thicken.
How spicy is this dish?
This recipe is not inherently spicy, but you can adjust the heat level to your preference. If you enjoy a bit of spice, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when cooking. Alternatively, you can serve it with hot sauce on the side for those who like it spicier.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).