Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comforting and filling meal with simple ingredients
- Baked and sliceable—fun presentation for kids and adults
- Perfect make-ahead or freezer-friendly dish
- Cheesy, creamy layers packed with flavor
- Easy to customize with your favorite meats and sauces
- Great use for leftover spaghetti
- Feeds a crowd with minimal effort
- Kid-friendly and budget-conscious
- One of those recipes that gets better the next day
- Perfect for meal prepping or sharing
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Spaghetti
- Eggs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Ricotta or cottage cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Ground beef or Italian sausage
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Marinara or pasta sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil or butter (for greasing the pan)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish or a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with beaten eggs and Parmesan cheese.
- Press the spaghetti mixture into the prepared dish, forming a “crust” that covers the bottom and sides.
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Spread the ricotta or cottage cheese over the spaghetti crust.
- Top with the meat sauce and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Servings and timing
Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter option
- Swap ricotta with cream cheese for a richer filling
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to the meat sauce
- Use cheddar or provolone cheese instead of mozzarella
- Make it spicy with crushed red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage
- Try it with whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave slices for 1–2 minutes or bake in a 350°F oven covered with foil until warmed through. For freezing, wrap the whole baked pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
What is spaghetti pie made of?
Spaghetti pie is made with cooked spaghetti, eggs, cheese, and a meat sauce, all baked together in a dish to form a pie-like casserole.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the pie and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
Do I need to use ricotta cheese?
Ricotta adds creaminess, but cottage cheese or cream cheese can be used as alternatives.
Can I freeze spaghetti pie?
Absolutely. It freezes well baked or unbaked. Wrap it tightly and label it for up to 2 months of storage.
How do I keep the crust from sticking?
Make sure to grease your baking dish well with butter or nonstick spray before adding the spaghetti mixture.
Can I use leftover spaghetti?
Yes, leftover spaghetti works great—just toss it with eggs and Parmesan before forming the crust.
What pasta works best for this?
Traditional spaghetti is most common, but angel hair or linguine can also be used.
Is this dish kid-friendly?
Very! The cheesy layers and familiar flavors make it a hit with kids.
How do I make it vegetarian?
Omit the meat and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach to the sauce.
What can I serve with spaghetti pie?
Serve it with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Conclusion
Cheesy Spaghetti Pie is a comforting, crowd-pleasing recipe that turns basic pantry staples into something special. With its cheesy layers, hearty meat sauce, and unique pie shape, it’s sure to become a favorite at your dinner table. Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping meals for the week, or looking for something deliciously nostalgic, this baked pasta dish delivers every time.
PrintCheesy Spaghetti Pie
Cheesy Spaghetti Pie is a hearty baked pasta casserole with a crispy spaghetti crust, creamy cheese center, and savory meat sauce topping. It’s a comforting, sliceable twist on spaghetti night that’s perfect for families, meal prep, or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for greasing the dish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish or 9×9-inch baking dish with olive oil or butter.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked spaghetti with beaten eggs and Parmesan cheese.
- Press spaghetti mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared dish to form a crust.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Spread ricotta or cottage cheese evenly over the spaghetti crust.
- Top with the meat sauce mixture and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use leftover spaghetti for quicker prep.
- Substitute ricotta with cream cheese for a richer center.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Freezes well either before or after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg