Description
A hearty and comforting Spaghetti Pie combining layers of seasoned ground beef marinara, creamy ricotta and cream cheese mixture, and gooey mozzarella cheese all baked together to create a cheesy pasta casserole perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Cheese Layer
- 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
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 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 (mild, no spiciness)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 24 oz. marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Equipment: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a deep 9 or 10-inch pie pan or a 2 to 2 ½ quart baking dish to ensure the spaghetti pie doesn’t stick.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, salt, dried basil, parsley, oregano, and pepper. Mix well and set aside to use later.
- Boil Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and return to the pot.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Flavorings to Meat: Lower the heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer Meat Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered while you finish the spaghetti.
- Prepare Spaghetti Mixture: To the warm pot with drained spaghetti, add butter and parmesan cheese, tossing to coat the noodles evenly. Then add the whisked eggs and toss again to combine thoroughly.
- Combine Spaghetti and Meat Sauce: Stir in 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce to the spaghetti mixture, mixing well. Transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing down firmly to create a packed layer.
- Layer Cheese and Sauce: Spread the ricotta and cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti layer. Then top with the remaining meat sauce, filling the pie pan to near capacity.
- Add Mozzarella and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the meat sauce layer. Bake uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and hot. For a browned top, broil at 450°F for a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the spaghetti pie from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to set properly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a deep pie pan or similarly sized baking dish to hold all layers comfortably.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for different preferences.
- Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought depending on availability.
- The hot sauce used adds flavor depth without heat; use mild varieties to keep it kid-friendly.
- Letting the pie rest before serving helps it hold its shape better when sliced.
- Broil carefully to achieve a golden cheesy top without burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
