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Spaghetti Pie is loaded with cheesy layers and hearty meat sauce. It is easy to make, freezer friendly and perfect to feed a crowd.
Our entire family loves spaghetti and we love Easy Spaghetti Pie Recipe even more. Layers of meat and cheese blended with melted cheese turn plain spaghetti into something amazing.
This is the perfect main dish recipe for an easy weeknight meal or to feed a crowd. Spaghetti is my go-to recipe for a budget friendly meal, check out these other favorites – Lemon Spaghetti, Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole and Spaghetti Tacos Recipe. You may also love Mexican Spaghetti.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
This spaghetti pie is perfect to use leftover pasta and cooked ground beef. Most of the time my kids won’t eat leftovers, but when I make into another meal everyone cleans their plate.
This recipe can be made with a variety of ingredients and is so filling. Serve with your favorite side dishes for a crowd pleasing meal idea.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti – While this recipe gets its name from using spaghetti noodles, other types of past can be used. Penne, bowtie and elbow are just a few substitution ideas.
- Butter – Real butter is best.
- Eggs – The eggs should lightly beaten. Don’t overmix.
- Ground beef or turkey – Both of these are fine to use in this recipe.
- Jar Pasta Sauce. Store bought or homemade is delicious in this recipe. We use Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce Recipe). Another option is to use 1 can tomato sauce and add Italian Seasoning.
- Chopped onion. Any type of onion is good to use. I have used white onion or red onion. Once I used Vidalia but that does give it a sweeter taste.
- Chopped green pepper. This is optional but it really adds to the flavor. Feel free to use green, red or yellow bell peppers.
- Garlic salt – Garlic powder can be substituted. Check out The Best Garlic Salt Substitute if you are out.
- Cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Either of these add a creamy layer to the spaghetti pie. You can use the one you like the best.
- Mozzarella Cheese or Italian Blend – I normally use the one that is on sale.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
Recipe Variations
- Pasta – Of course this dish is named spaghetti pie but any type of pasta will work. Try using elbow, shells, penne or bowtie.
- Veggies – I like to use a blend of red, yellow and green bell peppers with the onion. Spinach is also delicious cooked with the onion and bell pepper mixture.
- Ricotta – You can omit the ricotta and cottage cheese layer if you do not like this. Cream cheese is a creamy substitute.
- Cheese – While it calls for Mozzarella or Italian blend, anything will work. I have used Colby and cheddar on top because that is what I had. Sometimes I add an extra ½ cup of cheese because we love cheese.
- Italian sausage – This is a tasty substitution for ground turkey or ground beef.
How to Make Spaghetti Pie
Step 1 – Brown the ground the beef or ground turkey. Once browned, add the onions and green peppers. The vegetables should be soft.
Step 2 – Second, stir in the pasta sauce. Add the garlic salt.
Step 3 – Then add the cooked spaghetti. You want the pasta al dente because it will be going back in the oven to bake.
Step 4 – Next, add the butter, parmesan cheese and eggs. Make sure to do this while the spaghetti is still warm. I suggest using a large bowl so you will have plenty of room to stir it all together.
Step 5 – Put the spaghetti mixture into the bottom of a pie pan sprayed with cooking spray. This will act as the “crust” of the spaghetti pie.
Step 6 – Finally, spread the Ricotta cheese or cottage cheese over the “crust”. Then spread the beef mixture over the cheese layer making sure to cover the entire dish.
Recipe Tips
- Cooking Pasta – This is a great recipe to use leftover pasta. Make sure to cook al dente as the pasta will continue to cook as it bakes. You do not want mushy pasta.
- Place in Pie Pan – When placing the spaghetti noodles in the pie plate, make sure to cover the entire bottom. This acts as the crust so you want every bit to be filled with the layers.
- Rest Pie – After baking the spaghetti pie allow it to rest for about 10 minutes to let the ingredients marinade together.
What to Serve with Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti Pie makes the best weeknight meal. It is a great recipe to use leftover pasta for a cook once, eat twice meal.
- Salad – A simple salad is our favorite side dish with this recipe.
- Broccoli – Steam broccoli in the microwave for a really easy side.
- Garlic Bread Cheese sticks – You definitely need something to dip into this amazing spaghetti casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are looking for a low carb option, skip the pasta and use spaghetti squash instead. It is very simple. Just cook the spaghetti squash first. Cut it in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil and pierce the skin with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Cooking time will vary based on the oven and size of the squash.
Once finished cooking, scrape the sides with a fork and they will look like spaghetti strands. I suggest using paper towels to press the squash with to remove any excess moisture. This extra step will help to prevent the casserole from being water.
At this point, use the spaghetti squash in the recipe just as you would the pasta and continue putting it together.
Yes, you can and it is so easy. We often make 2. One for the freezer and one for that night. It really isn’t anymore work. Cover the unbaked spaghetti pie with foil and put in the freezer. It is optional but I like to use the disposable pans for the one I am freezing. It helps so much on those busy nights and will last in the freezer up to 1 month.
When you are ready to serve, allow to thaw overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes the next day.
Yes, cook the pasta before making the spaghetti pie. I prefer to make the pasta al dente so it is not mushy after baking.
The spaghetti pie bakes for just 30 minutes. It is that simple to put together for an easy weeknight meal.
Store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The leftovers will last about 5-6 days.
More Easy Italian Meal Ideas
Easy Casserole
Easy Pizza Casserole Recipe
Easy Sandwich
Hawaiian Roll Pizza Sliders Recipe
Easy Stove Top
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Easy Side Dishes
Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
We love to hear from you. If you make this spaghetti pie casserole recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Spaghetti Pie
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar pasta sauce (32 ounces)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Breaking up the beef as it browns. Add in the chopped onions. Cook until onions are soft.
- Stir in the marinara sauce.
- Cook and drain spaghetti based on al dente. Allow the spaghetti to cool slightly.
- Stir in the butter, parmesan cheese and eggs, while spaghetti is warm. Form spaghetti mixture into a crust at the bottom of a greased deep dish pie plate.
- Spread Ricotta cheese over the spaghetti crust.
- Pour beef mixture over the crust and ricotta cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Spread the shredded mozzarella cheese on top and bake for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Let the spaghetti pie set for 10 minutes and then it's ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
Assemble the pie as instructed through Step 7 in a disposable pan. Then instead of baking the dish, cover it with foil and freeze for up to 3-6 months. Defrost completely and then bake as directed when you’re ready to enjoy it!
What are the instructions to making this a freezer meal?
I used a 32 ounce jar of pasta sauce for this recipe.
Making this tomorrow for grandkids. What size jar spaghetti sauce should I use? Thanks!
We absolutely loved this! I added cubed zucchini, mushrooms, Italian seasoning. I think any veggies would work. It’s even better the second and third day.
You’re welcome! Let us know what you think when you try it out. Thank you!
Yum. I’ll be making this chicken alfredo tonight! I’ve made shrimp alfredo but for a guest seeing as I can’t stand seafood. Thanx for the twist!!