This easy Spaghetti Pie recipe is made with al dente pasta, a hearty meat sauce, and plenty of cheese. It's a tried and tested family favorite that never fails to satisfy hungry eaters!
If you're looking for an easy and delicious way to get dinner on the table tonight, you will love this Spaghetti Pie recipe. With some basic ingredients, you can have a hearty and filling meal that the whole family will love. Plus, it's perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick and easy.
Is spaghetti pie the same as lasagna?
No, spaghetti pie is not the same as lasagna, although it is similar. Lasagna is typically made with layers of flat lasagna pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce, while spaghetti pie is made with a layer of regular spaghetti noodles, meat, cheese, and sauce. However, both dishes are delicious and perfect for a family dinner.
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Ground beef
- Chopped onion
- Spaghetti sauce
- Cooked spaghetti noodles
- Butter
- Egg
- Shredded parmesan
- Cottage cheese
- Dried oregano
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make Spaghetti Pie
Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook. In a large skillet or frying pan, brown the hamburger with the onions until all the pink is gone. Breaking up the meat with a wooden spatula as your cook. Drain the meat. Stir in the pasta sauce and set aside.
Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and place into a large bowl. Fold in a beaten egg, some melted butter, and half of the shredded parmesan cheese with the noodles until the pasta is evenly coated.
Make cheese layer. In a small bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, the last half of the parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and basil. Scoop the cottage cheese mixture into the top of the noodle crust and spread evenly. Next, add a layer of the meat and pasta sauce mixture.
Assemble. Lightly butter or use cooking spray inside a glass pie plate or small casserole dish. Gently place the noodle mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan.
With the back of a wooden spoon, lightly press the noodles into the sides of the plate to form a spaghetti crust shape; leaving a slight cavity for the filling layers.
Finish. Cover lightly with foil and bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Carefully remove the spaghetti pie from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Success
Here's how to make sure your easy spaghetti pie recipe turns out perfect!
- Al dente spaghetti. Make sure to cook the noodles al dente according to the package instructions. This will prevent them from turning into mush when you bake the pie.
- Drain the noodles. Be sure to drain the cooked noodles well. You don't want your spaghetti pie to be watery.
- Don't overcook. If you're using a glass pie dish, be careful not to overcook the pie. The glass will conduct heat and can cause the pie to overcook on the bottom. If you're using a metal pie dish, you may need to cook the pie for a few minutes longer than called for in the recipe. But, again, just keep an eye on it, so it doesn't overcook.
- Make ahead for parties. If you're looking for an easy way to transport your spaghetti pie, try using a disposable foil pan. Just make sure to grease it well, so the pie doesn't stick.
Easy Sides for Pairing with Baked Spaghetti Pie
If you want to keep things super simple, pair this baked spaghetti pie recipe with garlic bread or garden salad. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dish ideas that will go well with the flavors in this recipe:
- Roasted vegetables
- Caesar salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Grilled zucchini
- Fruit salad
Variations
- Meat variety. You can use a mixture of ground beef and Italian sausage in your spaghetti pie recipe. You can also just use one or the other, or even ground turkey.
- Substitute ricotta. If you are not a fan of cottage cheese, feel free to add a ricotta layer to your spaghetti pie instead. You can also use a lower-fat version of cottage cheese if you prefer.
- Add some peppers. You can add a little green bell pepper to your spaghetti pie recipe. But feel free to leave it out if you don't like green peppers.
- Extra cheese. If you want a really cheesy spaghetti pie, feel free to add an extra layer of mozzarella cheese on top before baking. Or, sprinkle some more Parmesan cheese on top after baking for extra yummy melty cheese.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Leftover spaghetti pie casserole reheats well. Just pop a slice in the microwave for a minute or two. Or, you can reheat it in a 350-degree oven until warmed through.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
After baking, spaghetti pie freezes incredibly well. It is preferable to foil-wrap portion sizes and store them in freezer bags with labels. Keep it in the foil while baking at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or longer, depending on the serving size, to reheat food from frozen.
Recipe FAQ's
If you're not a fan of ground beef, or you're looking for a healthier option, you can use ground turkey in this recipe. Ground turkey is an excellent alternative to ground beef and will still give you the flavor and texture that you're looking for in a spaghetti pie. You can also use Italian sausage if you want a little more flavor.
This baked spaghetti pie is a classic recipe that is always a hit with the family. And while there are many different ways to make it, one of the most important ingredients is an egg. The egg helps bind all the ingredients together and gives the dish a custardy texture. Without it, your baked spaghetti would be dry and crumbly.
This spaghetti pie recipe is easily doubled. Just double the ingredients and use two of the same size cooking dishes or one larger-sized dish.
More Pasta Recipes
- Panera Tortellini Alfredo
- Ravioli Lasagna
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- One Pot Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
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Spaghetti Pie Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cups marinara sauce (we like Rao's best)
- 6 ounces spaghetti noodles, cooked until al dente
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet or frying pan, brown the hamburger with the onions until all the pink is gone. Breaking up the meat with a wooden spatula as your cook. Drain the meat. Stir in the pasta sauce and set aside.
- Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and place into a large bowl. Fold in the beaten egg, melted butter, and half of the shredded parmesan cheese with the noodles.
- Lightly butter the inside of a glass pie plate or small casserole dish. Gently place the noodle mixture in the bottom of the prepared pie plate. With the back of a spoon, lightly press the noodles into the sides of the plate to form a crust shape; leaving a slight cavity for the filling layers.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, the last half of the parmesan cheese, dried oregano and basil. Scoop the cottage cheese mixture into the top of the noodle crust and spread evenly.
- Next add a layer of the meat and pasta sauce mixture.
- Cover lightly with foil and bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Carefully remove the spaghetti pie from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Spaghetti pie works great to prepare a night in advance or for the freezer. Then bake when you are ready to serve.
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