Easy Baked Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Spaghetti pie is a delicious and unique twist on the classic pasta dish you know and love. It combines traditional spaghetti flavors with a pie’s layered, casserole-like structure. You might be reminded of lasagna, but spaghetti pie brings its distinct charm to the table.

This easy recipe is hearty, cheesy, and a simple dish to whip up quickly. Spaghetti Pie is kid-approved and an excellent recipe for serving up your entire family or a crowd!

Do you ever get in that dinner rut? Where it is tacos or spaghetti? I was in that rut and couldn’t think of what to make. I went to work, raided the fridge and pantry, and created a Spaghetti Pie that was a creative spin on the classic spaghetti and meat sauce. Boy, was it incredible!

Who doesn’t want an interesting recipe to add to their recipe card box and save back to make time and time again? I know I do! Best of all, this Baked Spaghetti Pie is affordable to make as well.

To make this scrumptious meal at home, you’ll start by creating a “crust” made from spaghetti noodles mixed with eggs and cheese. This base holds everything together, allowing you to cut the finished product into perfect, satisfying wedges easily. Top with a hearty meat sauce and loads of cheese.

Try this spaghetti pie casserole recipe and discover how it adds a fun new spin to your regular pasta night. Your taste buds will thank you for this delightful culinary adventure.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Tasty comfort food: Spaghetti pie is the ultimate comforting dish, providing a warm and satisfying meal that will remind you of your favorite spaghetti dinners with a unique presentation.
Great for using leftovers: If you have leftover pasta or meat sauce, turning them into a spaghetti pie is an excellent way to repurpose those ingredients and create a whole new dish everyone will enjoy.
Freezable meal: You can easily make a spaghetti pie ahead of time, freeze it, and reheat it later for a delicious home-cooked meal in no time. This is perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to prepare a dish in advance for guests.
Kid-friendly: With its familiar flavors and fun pie shape, this family favorite is an absolute hit with kids. They’ll love helping you prepare it and will be excited to dig into a slice.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Cooked spaghetti: This is your spaghetti pie’s base and main component.
Lean ground beef: Adds a hearty, meaty texture and flavor to your dish.
Green bell pepper: Provides a nice crunch and a pop of color to the recipe.
Sweet onion: Enhances the overall flavor with its natural sweetness.
Pasta sauce: This creates a rich and flavorful sauce that binds all the ingredients together. I love this homemade spaghetti sauce.
Chili powder: Adds a subtle heat to the dish, giving it a kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Salt: Balances the flavors and brings out the natural taste of the other ingredients.
Black pepper: Complements the salt for seasoning and adds a touch of spice.
Large eggs: These help to bind the dish together and provide structure when baked.
Cottage cheese: Gives the spaghetti pie a creamy, rich texture and adds a touch of tanginess.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully when baked, giving your spaghetti pie an irresistible, bubbly cheese layer.

How to Make Spaghetti Pie

Step One: Heat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch glass deep dish pie plate with extra virgin olive oil.
Step Two: Add ground beef, green pepper, and onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes or until beef is brown. Stir in pasta sauce, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step Three: Place spaghetti on the pie plate.

Step Four: Stir eggs and cottage cheese until well-mixed in a small bowl. Spread evenly over spaghetti. Spoon beef mixture over cottage cheese mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
Step Five: Bake for 35 minutes or until the center is set. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.

Equipment Needed

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Large or deep dish pie plate. Since this is a spaghetti pie, a pie dish is ideal for baking and serving. Choosing a size that will fit the entire spaghetti pie is essential. A deep dish pie plate, like a Pyrex one, will work best as it accommodates the layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese.
Skillet. This will be used to cook your meat, onions, and green bell peppers, as well as to combine these ingredients with tomatoes and garlic for your sauce.
Cheese grater. To shred your mozzarella cheese.

What to Serve with Spaghetti Pie

Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: This popular choice perfectly complements the rich flavors of spaghetti pie. Warm, garlicky bread generously drizzled with butter makes for a delightful accompaniment.
Green Salad: A fresh and crisp green salad tossed with Italian vinaigrette dressing brings a light and refreshing contrast to the hearty spaghetti pie. You can mix and match your favorite greens, vegetables, and toppings.
Roasted or Steamed Vegetables: Serve a side of roasted or steamed veggies to add more color, flavor, and nutrition to your meal. You can choose from various vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, broccoli, or bell peppers.
Antipasto Platter: If you’re enjoying spaghetti pie with friends or family, offering an antipasto platter can make for an inviting appetizer spread. For a delightful finger-food selection, include cured meats, cheeses, olives, marinated vegetables, and crusty bread.

More Pasta Dishes You Will Love

Spaghetti pie in a pie pan with slice marks.

Variations and Substitutions

Pasta: While the classic spaghetti pie is made with spaghetti noodles, you can easily swap them for other types of pasta like penne, bowtie, or elbow macaroni. This can give your dish a different texture and bite.
Meat options: Ground beef is a popular choice for spaghetti pie, but feel free to use Italian sausage, ground turkey, chicken, or even a vegetarian meat substitute to change up the flavor and nutritional profile of the dish.
Cheese choices: To add a touch of variety to your spaghetti pie, consider using different types of cheese. You could use Parmesan cheese, Swiss, sharp cheddar, or even goat cheese. Try ricotta cheese, cream cheese, or sour cream instead of cottage cheese.
Extra veggies: Add vegetables like spinach, red bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra nutrients and flavor.
Make it spicy: Bring some heat to your dish by including red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
More seasoning: Experiment with different herbs and spices, like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, fresh basil, or oregano, to add depth to your tomato sauce.

Storage Instructions

After the pie has cooled down, store it in the refrigerator. To do this, wrap the pie in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, ensuring it’s well-protected from any air exposure. Another option is to place the pie in an airtight container before refrigerating.

Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze?

Yes, you can freeze this spaghetti pie recipe! First, allow the pie to cool completely after baking. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double layer of protection helps prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of your pie. Don’t forget to label your wrapping with the date and contents for easy identification later.

To reheat your spaghetti pie, you have a couple of options. If you have refrigerated your pie, place it in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until heated. If you have frozen your pie, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it in the oven. This ensures even thorough heating and prevents the pie from becoming too mushy.

Spaghetti Pie History

Spaghetti Pie is a traditional American dish with its roots in Colorado. The dish has gained popularity over the years and is now enjoyed by many people all over the country.

In the early years, spaghetti pie was created as a creative way to use leftover spaghetti. Someone thought of combining spaghetti with cheese and eggs to form a crust-like base, which was then filled with a meat sauce and baked. This delicious and practical solution quickly caught on, becoming a beloved comfort food for many families.

The original recipe for spaghetti pie called for a spaghetti crust made from noodles mixed with eggs and cheese, with Parmesan being the cheese of choice. This crust was then topped with a rich meat sauce, typically made with ground beef, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, and garlic salt. The mixture was then cooked until the vegetables were tender and the meat was browned, as seen in this recipe from 1974.

Since its humble beginnings, spaghetti pie has seen numerous variations, such as using different types of cheese or adding various vegetables to the filling. Some modern recipes even include a creamy ricotta layer, giving it a lasagna-like quality.

Spaghetti pie slice on a plate with a fork.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Picking the right pasta: Although the recipe calls for spaghetti, feel free to experiment with other long pasta types like fettuccine or linguine for a fun twist to the dish. Cook your pasta to al dente so that it won’t get too mushy!
Crust creation: To get a perfect crust of noodles mixed with eggs and cheese, ensure the eggs bind with the noodles and cheese. This will help your spaghetti pie to hold its shape when cutting into wedges.
Sauce thickness: Use a thick pasta sauce to prevent a soggy crust. Simmer your sauce for a bit longer to achieve the desired thickness.
Add more flavors: Customize your spaghetti pie by adding unique ingredients to the sauce, like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or even grilled chicken. Experiment with your favorites to personalize the dish!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not pre-cooking the spaghetti: Before combining it with the rest of the ingredients, ensure your spaghetti is fully cooked, according to the package directions. Skipping this step can result in undercooked pasta within your pie.
Overmixing the ingredients: When combining the spaghetti, sauce, and other ingredients, be gentle and avoid overmixing. Overmixing can cause the dish to become mushy and lose its distinct flavors.
Using the wrong cheese: The choice of cheese is crucial for a delicious spaghetti pie. Opt for cheeses that melt easily and complement the flavors of your dish, such as mozzarella, provolone, or fontina.
Not properly prepping the pie dish: Before assembling your spaghetti pie, make sure to grease the pie dish with olive oil, cooking spray, or melted butter. This prevents the crust from sticking to the dish and allows easier serving.
Overbaking the pie: Keep an eye on your spaghetti pie while it’s in the oven, and avoid overbaking, which can lead to a dry or burnt dish. Follow the recommended baking time and temperature to achieve a golden-brown crust and a perfectly cooked interior.

Spaghetti pie slice on a white plate with a fork.

FAQ

Do You Cover Spaghetti Pie When Baking?

No, I do not cover my pie when it cooks. Getting the cheese golden brown on top adds a lot more flavor. Plus, even if a few of the noodles get a little crunchy, it does give it more flavor and character.

What is the Secret Ingredient?

Chili powder is my secret ingredient. This will add a smokey depth that adds flavor to your spaghetti pie. I learned about this trick years ago, and never go without adding it in! I have also used taco seasoning; it sounds weird, but it works! The flavors can’t be beaten, and it leaves people begging for your recipe!

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