You know, if you’ve been on the hunt for a truly comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner idea, spaghetti pie could be exactly what you’re looking for. Instead of just serving up pasta the usual way, this recipe takes everything we adore about spaghetti and bakes it into a super cheesy, sliceable pie. As a result, you get this amazing balance of crispy edges, a savory filling, and that wonderfully gooey melted cheese.
Now, at first, it might seem like a bit of an unusual twist on an old classic. However, once you give it a try, you’ll totally see why it’s a favorite in so many kitchens. Not only is it incredibly easy to whip up, but it also reheats beautifully—which makes it absolutely ideal for those busy weeknights, big family dinners, or even your meal prep routine. Because of that, it’s genuinely one of those go-to recipes you’ll want to keep tucked away in your back pocket!
Servings: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
Crust Layer:
- 6 oz (half a box) spaghetti
- 2 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Filling:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (14–15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Topping:
- 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Suggested Ingredients:
- Barilla Spaghetti Pasta: perfect texture/holds up when baked
- Kraft Parmesan Cheese: classic flavor with a golden crust
- Hunt’s Natural Tomato Sauce: rich base
- Spice Islands Italian Herb Seasoning: blends in the flavor
- Himalayan Secrets Natural Pink Cooking Salt: cleaner salt/better taste
- Amazon Brand—Coarse Ground Black Pepper: gives a great kick.
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Boil the spaghetti according to the directions on the package.
- Drain Pasta
- Prepare Spaghetti Crust:
- Toss the hot spaghetti with butter until the butter is melted.
- Mix in the Parmesan cheese.
- Mix in the beaten egg.
- Press this mixture into a greased 9-inch pie plate, forming a crust up on the sides.
- Add the filling:
- Spread the cottage cheese evenly over the spaghetti crust that you just created.
- Make the Meat Sauce:
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef along with the onion and garlic until it is fully cooked.
- Drain the excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce.
- Stir in seasoning.
- Stir in salt.
- Stir in pepper.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Assemble:
- Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the cottage cheese layer.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes (or until the cheese is melted and is nice and bubbly).
- Cool Slightly Before Slicing (about 5–10 minutes will allow cleaner slices).
Notes:
Crust Layer:
– Spaghetti needs to be cooked and then drained
– The egg needs to be beaten
Filling:
– 1 cup ricotta could be used instead of cottage cheese. This will present a creamier texture
Meat Sauce:
– 1 lb. Italian sausage could be used instead of the ground beef
– 1 tsp mix of basil, oregano, or thyme could be used instead of the Italian seasoning
Notes:
- Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese for a richer filling.
- Add bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce.
- Use angel hair pasta for a lighter texture or gluten-free pasta if needed.
You know, while spaghetti pie might not be the first thing you think of for pasta night, trust me, it’s absolutely a recipe you’ll want to keep around. It’s not just fantastic for using up leftovers, but it also magically turns everyday ingredients into something surprisingly comforting. Nevertheless, it’s one of those dishes that just delights you in all the right ways!
Plus, if you’re ever cooking for a crowd or getting a head start on meals, this recipe holds up beautifully in the fridge or freezer. So, it’s really perfect for those crazy weeknights, laid-back potlucks, or even as a fun twist for Sunday dinner. moreover, don’t ever be shy about making it your own—whether that means piling on extra cheese, trying a different sauce, or even going for a plant-based version. After all, your kitchen is your canvas, right?
