Spaghetti Pie Recipe
Introduction
Spaghetti Pie is a comforting twist on traditional pasta dishes, combining layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and perfectly cooked spaghetti baked to bubbly perfection. This hearty casserole is sure to become a family favorite for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ lb. spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs, whisked
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (doesn’t make it spicy)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 24 oz. marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a deep 9 or 10-inch pie pan or a 2 to 2 ½ quart baking dish by lightly greasing it.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, salt, dried basil, parsley, oregano, and pepper. Set this cheese mixture aside.
- Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti.
- Step 4: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef and diced onion together, crumbling until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the marinara sauce. Lower heat to a simmer and let it cook uncovered while the spaghetti cooks.
- Step 6: Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until just al dente. Drain and return to the warm pot. Stir in butter and parmesan cheese until the butter melts and coats the pasta. Then toss in the whisked eggs to combine thoroughly.
- Step 7: Add 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce to the spaghetti and mix well. Transfer this mixture into the prepared pie pan, pressing it down to form a compact layer.
- Step 8: Spread the ricotta and cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti layer. Pour the remaining meat sauce on top. The pan will be quite full—that’s perfect!
- Step 9: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a brown, crisp top, broil for a few minutes at 450°F, watching closely.
- Step 10: Let the pie sit for 10-15 minutes after baking to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef for a different flavor profile.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat sauce with sautéed mushrooms and vegetables.
- Make sure to not overcook the spaghetti; it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
- Adding fresh basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add a nice bright or spicy touch.
Storage
Store leftover spaghetti pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through. This dish also freezes well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare spaghetti pie ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the pie up to a day in advance, cover it, and refrigerate before baking. This helps the flavors meld together nicely.
Is this dish suitable for kids?
Absolutely. The hot sauce used is mild and mainly for flavor, so it won’t make the dish spicy. Adjust or omit it if preferred.
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Spaghetti Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Spaghetti Pie is a comforting, baked pasta casserole combining tender spaghetti, a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta and cream cheese mixture, and melty mozzarella. This hearty dish layers spaghetti tossed with eggs and parmesan alongside a flavorful ground beef marinara and a cheesy ricotta layer, all baked to melty perfection. Perfect for a family dinner, it sets up like a pie and is both filling and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Pasta Layer
- ½ lb. spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs (whisked)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (mild flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 24 oz. marinara sauce
Topping
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Cookware and Heat Oven: Use a deep 9 or 10-inch pie pan or a 2 to 2 ½ quart baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, salt, dried basil, parsley, oregano, and pepper. Set aside.
- Boil Spaghetti: Start boiling a large pot of salted water to cook the spaghetti to al dente.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: Season ground beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and diced onions for 7-10 minutes until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Add Flavorings and Marinara: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to the beef. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered while spaghetti cooks.
- Drain and Toss Spaghetti: Drain spaghetti and return it to the warm cooking pot. Add butter and Parmesan cheese, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. Then add whisked eggs and toss again to combine.
- Mix Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: Stir 1 ½ cups of the simmered meat sauce into the spaghetti mixture thoroughly. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Pie Base: Transfer the spaghetti-meat sauce mixture into the prepared pie pan or baking dish. Press down firmly to pack the layer evenly.
- Add Cheese and Meat Sauce Layers: Spread the ricotta and cream cheese mixture over the packed spaghetti layer. Then top with the remaining meat sauce evenly over the cheese.
- Add Mozzarella and Bake: Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and hot. Optionally broil at 450°F for a few minutes to brown the cheese—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a deep pie pan or sufficiently deep baking dish to accommodate the full layers as this recipe fills the pan quite full.
- The hot sauce adds a subtle depth of flavor without making the dish spicy.
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage if preferred.
- Leftover pie can be refrigerated and reheated, though best consumed fresh.
- Watch the broiling step closely to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Spaghetti Pie, Baked Pasta, Ground Beef Casserole, Ricotta Cheese, Italian Comfort Food, Pasta Pie
