Name: Haitian Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Haitian
Ingredients: ½ lb Spaghetti; ¼ cup Olive oil; 2 tbsp Haitian Epis; 1 Onion, chopped; 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced; 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced; 2 Roma Tomatoes, diced; 2 tbsp Tomato paste; 3 small Maggi cubes; 4 Hot Dogs, cut into rounds; ⅛ tsp Ground cloves; ⅓ cup reserved pasta water; Salt to taste; 2 Hard boiled eggs

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 68 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a truly vibrant and comforting meal to spice up your weeknight dinners, this Haitian Spaghetti Recipe is a must-try! Bursting with bold flavors, colorful veggies, and a savory sauce that hugs every strand of pasta, it offers a unique twist on a classic dish. With a touch of Haitian epis and those special ingredient combinations, this recipe promises to deliver an unforgettable taste experience that feels like a warm, welcoming hug from the Caribbean.

Ingredients You'll Need

The left image shows a black pan with a silver handle sitting on a white marbled surface, filled with a green herb sauce mixed in oil, with a wooden spoon resting inside the pan. The right image shows the same black pan and surface, now filled with three layers of chopped vegetables: diced white onion on the left, diced green bell pepper on the top right, and diced red tomato on the bottom right, all unmixed. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients right is key to capturing the authentic Haitian flair in this Haitian Spaghetti Recipe. Each item is simple yet essential, building layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this dish truly shine.

½ lb Spaghetti: The perfect pasta base that cooks to a satisfying al dente texture.
¼ cup Olive oil: Adds richness and helps meld all the flavors together beautifully.
2 tablespoon Haitian Epis: This magical blend of herbs and spices is the heartbeat of the dish, giving it that signature savory depth.
1 Onion (chopped): Brings a subtle sweetness and backbone to the sauce.
1 Green Bell Pepper (diced): Adds color and a touch of crisp freshness.
1 Red Bell Pepper (diced): Balances the green pepper with a gentle sweetness and vibrant hue.
2 Roma Tomatoes (diced): Lend a refreshing juiciness to the mixture, keeping the sauce light.
2 tablespoon Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor, giving the sauce a rich, savory punch.
3 small Maggi cubes: These flavor boosters bring that delicious umami quality characteristic in Haitian cooking.
4 Hot Dogs (cut into rounds): A fun and nostalgic touch, providing chewy, salty bites throughout.
⅛ teaspoon ground Cloves: Just a hint for warmth that surprises your palate.
⅓ cup water: Helps loosen the sauce just enough without watering down the flavor.
Salt (to taste): Enhances all other tastes without overpowering them.
2 Hard boiled eggs: The traditional garnish offering creaminess and a protein boost.

How to Make Haitian Spaghetti Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

Start by boiling your spaghetti until it hits that perfect al dente point — tender yet firm to the bite. Don’t forget to scoop out some pasta water before draining; that golden liquid is a handy secret weapon for the sauce later on.

Step 2: Sauté the Haitian Epis

In a large saucepan, warm up the olive oil and stir in the Haitian epis. As it fries, your kitchen will fill with an intoxicating aroma that signals the beginning of something fantastic. When the epis turns a rich golden color and releases its fragrance, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Add the Veggies

Next, toss in the chopped onions, diced green and red bell peppers, and the juicy Roma tomatoes. Sauté this colorful medley for about five minutes until everything softens and melds together, building the foundation for a vibrant sauce with wonderful texture.

Step 4: Stir in Tomato Paste and Maggi

Blend in the tomato paste and crumble the Maggi cubes for a savory punch. Now add the sliced hot dogs and ground cloves. This combination brings a surprising yet delicious depth, mixing smoky, salty, and warm spice notes in one pot.

Step 5: Simmer the Sauce

Pour in the reserved pasta water to loosen everything up, then let the sauce simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes. This slow bubbling allows the flavors to fully develop and the sauce to thicken just right. Add salt as needed to balance every element.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Finally, add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and toss well so every strand is coated with the rich, flavorful sauce. The pasta becomes a perfect canvas carrying all those delicious Haitian-inspired flavors straight to your plate.

How to Serve Haitian Spaghetti Recipe

The image shows two pans with food on a white marbled surface. The first pan contains a thick sauce with many small round sausage slices mixed with diced red and green bell peppers in a rich brownish-red sauce. The second pan has spaghetti noodles mixed with the same sauce and sausage slices, showing a yellowish pasta color combined with red and green pepper bits and sausage. The pans are black with silver handles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

No Haitian Spaghetti Recipe feels complete without the classic garnish of hard boiled eggs, halved and nestled on top or alongside each serving. These eggs offer a creamy contrast to the tangy, spicy spaghetti, adding visual appeal and extra protein.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or fried plantains for a little sweetness and crunch. A simple bowl of steamed vegetables or your favorite Haitian pikliz can also brighten up the plate with a zesty kick.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the Haitian spaghetti in hollowed-out tomatoes or bell peppers, turning your meal into an irresistible edible bowl. You can also sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or a dash of grated cheese to add fresh aromas and extra layers of flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, place any leftover Haitian Spaghetti Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. This keeps the flavors fresh and ready for a quick reheat whenever hunger strikes again.

Freezing

If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. Portion the spaghetti into freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to leave some room for expansion. It can stay frozen for up to two months without losing its authentic taste and texture.

Reheating

Reheat the leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce, stirring frequently. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts to avoid overcooking the pasta and maintain that delightful al dente bite.

FAQs

What is Haitian Epis, and can I make it myself?

Haitian Epis is a flavorful blend of herbs, peppers, and garlic used as a foundational seasoning in Haitian cooking. You can absolutely make it at home by blending ingredients like scallions, parsley, garlic, bell peppers, and spices, giving your dishes authentic depth.

Can I substitute the hot dogs with another protein?

Definitely! If you prefer something else, cooked sausage, diced chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives work well. Just tweak cooking times accordingly to ensure your protein is perfectly cooked.

Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level depends largely on your Haitian epis blend and added spices. Traditional recipes have a gentle kick, but you can adjust by adding more hot peppers or leaving them out for a milder dish.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

While spaghetti is classic here, feel free to experiment with other long pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine. Just keep in mind the cooking time and texture to maintain the dish’s integrity.

What makes this Haitian Spaghetti Recipe unique compared to other spaghetti dishes?

This recipe incorporates Haitian epis and a distinctive combination of ingredients like hot dogs and cloves, creating a flavor profile that sets it apart from typical Italian spaghetti. It beautifully balances seasoning, spice, and comfort with a Caribbean soul.

Final Thoughts

Giving this Haitian Spaghetti Recipe a try is like opening a window into vibrant Haitian home cooking in your own kitchen. It’s a joyful, flavor-packed dish that’s simple to prepare yet unforgettable on the palate. Whether for a family meal or sharing with friends, this recipe will quickly find a special place in your recipe rotation. Go ahead, dive in, and savor every bite of this Caribbean delight!

Haitian Spaghetti Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need