Description
Comfort meets creativity in this delightful spaghetti pie that blends Italian pasta traditions with clever home cooking. Crispy edges, creamy cheese, and hearty pasta layers promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll savor with every satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
Cheeses:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to create an optimal baking environment at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring uniform heat distribution for the perfect culinary creation.
- Thoroughly coat the interior of a 9-inch pie dish or springform pan with a light layer of cooking spray or butter, preventing any potential sticking and facilitating easy removal.
- Prepare the pasta base by cooking spaghetti until al dente, then drain and allow to cool slightly, creating a foundation for the pie’s structure.
- Whisk eggs and parmesan cheese together in a large mixing bowl, creating a creamy binding agent that will help transform the pasta into a cohesive pie.
- Gently fold the cooked spaghetti into the egg mixture, ensuring each strand is evenly coated and distributed throughout the potential pie base.
- Press the spaghetti-egg mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even, compact crust that will serve as the pie’s foundation.
- Layer ricotta cheese across the spaghetti base, spreading it carefully to create a smooth, consistent layer that will provide rich, creamy texture.
- Distribute marinara sauce evenly over the ricotta, allowing it to create a vibrant, flavorful layer that complements the cheese and pasta.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the marinara, ensuring complete coverage for a melted, golden-brown topping.
- Transfer the assembled pie to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching for the cheese to become bubbling and slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pie to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling the layers to set and making slicing more manageable.
- Slice and serve warm, garnishing with fresh basil or additional parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Toast breadcrumbs before mixing for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Swap regular pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti to accommodate dietary needs.
- Let the pie rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and slice cleanly without falling apart.
- Choose high-quality cheese like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano for a more robust and authentic Italian taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 342
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 614 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg