Make this hearty, cheesy Spaghetti Pie for a guaranteed family favorite. This baked spaghetti casserole layers seasoned pasta, ricotta cheese, and rich meat sauce, creating a satisfying comfort food dinner that is simple to prepare.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:55 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite jarred or homemade)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and black pepper to taste
15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or springform pan.
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the meat sauce. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
In a large bowl, toss the drained spaghetti with half of the meat sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
Press about two-thirds of the sauced spaghetti mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie dish to form a crust.
Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti crust.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
Let the spaghetti pie rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For a crispier edge, you can brush the bottom spaghetti layer lightly with melted butter before adding the ricotta.
You can prepare the meat sauce and ricotta mixture a day ahead of time. Store them covered in the refrigerator.
This dish reheats well, making it a great option for meal prep or leftovers.