The Best Spaghetti Pie Recipe: A Crowd-Pleasing Family Favorite

Spaghetti pie crafts ordinary pasta into a culinary masterpiece that defies traditional dinner expectations.

This innovative dish blends familiar ingredients with unexpected textures and flavors.

Crispy edges and a creamy interior create a mouthwatering experience that surprises and satisfies hungry diners.

Comfort food meets creative cooking in this delightful recipe that bridges classic Italian cuisine with modern kitchen innovation.

Layers of pasta, cheese, and savory seasonings meld together in a stunning presentation that turns heads at any gathering.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of crisp exterior and tender, flavorful interior.

Get ready to impress family and friends with a meal that breaks all the usual dinner rules.

Spaghetti Pie: The Ultimate Comfort Food in a Slice

• Craft a Unique Pasta Experience: Transform traditional spaghetti into an exciting, layered pie that surprises taste buds with its innovative presentation and delightful combination of textures.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: This one-pan marvel combines ground beef, spaghetti, and cheese into a complete meal that's easy to prepare, requiring minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Customize Your Comfort Food: Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to swap ingredients, add personal spices, or experiment with different cheeses, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Enjoy Hearty Textures in Every Bite: Experience a delightful contrast between the crispy spaghetti crust, creamy cottage cheese layer, and rich beef sauce that creates a satisfying and memorable dining experience.

Ingredients for Spaghetti Pie

• Spaghetti Noodles: Classic pasta base that creates the pie's structure and foundation with a perfect al dente texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the spaghetti base together for a smooth consistency.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to help the spaghetti crust hold its shape.

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that provides a savory and filling component to the pie.
• Onions: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic base to the meat mixture.
• Marinara Sauce: Provides moisture and traditional Italian-style flavor to the beef layer.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese that adds a nutty and salty flavor to both spaghetti base and filling.
• Cottage Cheese: Creamy layer that adds moisture and a light, tangy texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully on top, creating a golden and stretchy cheese finish.
• Oregano: Classic Italian herb that provides earthy and slightly peppery notes.
• Basil: Fresh herb that adds brightness and traditional Mediterranean flavor.

• Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and helps easy removal from the cake pan.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps control browning during initial baking stage.

How to Make Spaghetti Pie

Step 1: Prepare The Cooking Space

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch cake pan and give it a light spray of cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown The Meat Mixture

Heat a large skillet and toss in ground beef with chopped onions. Cook until the meat turns completely brown and loses its pink color. Stir and break up the meat while cooking. Drain away any extra fat, then mix in marinara sauce. Set the meaty mixture aside.

Step 3: Create The Spaghetti Base

• Melted butter
• Beaten egg
• 1/2 of the parmesan cheese

Gently toss to coat every noodle evenly.

Step 4: Shape The Pasta Crust

Transfer the spaghetti mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spoon to press the noodles against the bottom and sides, creating a neat crust with a hollow center for filling.

Step 5: Layer The Cheese Mixture

• Cottage cheese
• Remaining parmesan
• Oregano
• Basil

Spread this creamy mixture smoothly over the spaghetti crust.

Step 6: Add The Meat Topping

Carefully spoon the beef and marinara sauce over the cheese layer. Use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Cover the pie with aluminum foil and slide into the oven. Bake for 25 minutes. Then uncover, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Pull the pie from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps it set and makes cutting easier. Serve while warm and watch everyone dig in!

Pro Tip: Pair with a crisp green salad for a complete meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Best Tips for Spaghetti Pie

• Master the Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti precisely al dente to prevent a mushy crust, ensuring the noodles retain a slight firmness when baked.
• Create a Perfect Crust Seal: Press the spaghetti mixture firmly against pan edges and bottom, creating a thick, even layer that holds the filling securely.
• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy pie and maintain a clean, robust flavor profile.
• Balance Cheese Moisture: Use full-fat cottage cheese and pat it dry to prevent excess liquid from making the crust soggy during baking.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle mozzarella strategically to achieve an even, golden-brown top with perfectly melted cheese coverage.

Storing and Reheating Spaghetti Pie

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover spaghetti pie to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stopping midway to stir and ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Top with extra cheese before serving to restore moisture and enhance flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire pie tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Pairing Spaghetti Pie with Salad

• Savor Wine Companions: Pair this hearty spaghetti pie with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which complement the rich beef and marinara sauce perfectly.
• Enhance with Fresh Salads: Create a crisp garden salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light Italian vinaigrette to balance the pie's robust flavors and add freshness to the meal.
• Complement with Herbed Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy spaghetti pie.
• Cool Down with Refreshing Drinks: Offer chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon or a light beer like pilsner to cut through the richness of the dish and cleanse the palate between bites.

Spaghetti Pie Variations to Try

• Veggie Lovers' Layer: Replace ground beef with a mix of sautéed zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a vegetarian version packed with colorful nutrients.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add jalapeños, chili powder, and swap marinara for salsa to create a zesty Mexican-inspired spaghetti pie with a kick of heat.
• Mediterranean Medley: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes to transform the dish into a Greek-style pasta pie with Mediterranean flavors.
• Lean Protein Powerhouse: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, and mix in extra herbs like thyme and rosemary for a lighter, protein-rich alternative.

Spaghetti Pie Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spaghetti Pie Delight brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with a clever twist on classic pasta. Crispy pasta crust cradles savory meat sauce and melted cheese, creating a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 6 ounces (170 g) spaghetti noodles, cooked until al dente
• 2 cups marinara sauce (preferably Rao’s)

Cheese Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, beaten

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a 9-inch cake pan by coating it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef with chopped onions, breaking the meat into small pieces until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce, then set aside.
3. Cook spaghetti noodles in boiling water until al dente, then drain thoroughly. Transfer noodles to a mixing bowl and combine with melted butter, beaten egg, and half of the shredded parmesan cheese, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
4. Carefully transfer the spaghetti mixture into the prepared cake pan, using a spoon to press and shape the noodles against the bottom and sides, creating a sturdy crust with a central cavity for filling.
5. Create the cheese layer by mixing cottage cheese, remaining parmesan, dried oregano, and dried basil in a separate bowl. Spread this mixture evenly across the spaghetti crust.
6. Distribute the prepared beef and marinara sauce over the cottage cheese layer, using the back of a spoon to spread it smoothly and create an even surface.
7. Cover the pie with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
8. Remove the spaghetti pie from the oven and let it rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the layers to set. Slice and serve warm, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• Master this dish with ease, transforming simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing spaghetti pie that combines pasta, meat, and cheesy goodness in one delightful package.
• Prepare all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and ensure a smooth, stress-free preparation.
• Create a sturdy spaghetti crust by pressing noodles firmly against pan sides, which provides a crispy base and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, ensuring a rich but not overly fatty meat sauce.
• Let the pie rest for a few minutes after baking, allowing layers to set and making slicing easier without falling apart.
• Complement this hearty meal with a fresh green salad or garlic bread to balance the richness of the spaghetti pie.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420 cal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg