Spaghetti Pie is Comfort Food Reinvented

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With this delicious Spaghetti Pie recipe, you’ll never look at leftover pasta and meat sauce the same way again. Treat yourself to a slice of comfort and impress your loved ones with this unique twist on a classic dish.

 

This spaghetti pie is almost like poor man’s lasagna.  Just swap out lasagna noodles with pasta and voila!  It has the flavor and taste of lasagna.  The layers of pasta and meat with cheese and sauce remind me so much of lasagna.  But without all the prep of cooking the lasagna noodles or using those no bake.  Honestly, those never work for me.  No matter what I try, the lasagna just doesn’t turn out. You can make this spaghetti pie with your favorite sauce like chuck roast ragu. And any pasta. Even a fresh pasta like this spinach pasta recipe!

 

What Is Spaghetti Pie?

 

Spaghetti pie is a baked pasta dish that transforms classic spaghetti into a hearty casserole. By layering pasta, sauce, cheese, and mix-ins in a pie dish, you get a hearty meal. It’s a sliceable meal that’s crisp on the outside and gooey inside.  This pasta recipe is a true comfort food with a fun presentation.  And it’s great for those that like the crispy edges.  Every slice has a crispy edge!

 

 

Ingredients to make this spaghetti pie recipe

 

This recipe has classic spaghetti ingredients.  They’re always something to keep on hand for a quick spaghetti and meat sauce dinner.

Pantry ingredients – garlic, onion, pasta, spaghetti sauce, garlic salt, Italian seasoning

Refrigerator ingredients – ground meat (I used ground turkey), cottage cheese, egg substitute (or large eggs), shredded Italian cheese blend

 

Prepare the Pasta Crust

 

In a large bowl, toss your cooked pasta with the egg substitute (or beaten eggs). Stir in the cottage cheese, and salt and pepper. Press the mixture into a greased pie dish to form an even layer.  You can also double the recipe and spread it into a 9 x 13 pan.

 

 

Bake to Perfection

 

Spread the cooked ground meat evenly over the pasta base.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cheese blend. Pour the pasta sauce on top.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 F for 35 to 40 minutes or until the sauce is bubble and the crust is lightly brown. 

 

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and begins to brown.  Let the spaghetti pie cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes to make slicing easier.  It gives the pie time to set before serving.

 

 

Repurposing Leftover Pasta and Meat Sauce

 

One of the best things about spaghetti pie is its ability to breathe new life into leftovers. This recipe is written to make from scratch. However, you also have the ability to leverage leftover pasta or leftover sauce to make a delicious dinner for your family.

 

Sometimes we make more pasta than sauce.  And vice versa; we make more sauce then pasta.  That leaves us with extra spaghetti and/or meat sauce from a previous night’s dinner.  Don’t toss and don’t reheat them for lunch.  Plan on making just a little more of both and use them as the base for your pie.

 

 

Simply toss cold pasta with a couple of eggs and some cottage cheese or ricotta before layering it in the baking dish. Or cook up some pasta and toss it with eggs and cheese for leftover sauce.  Reheat the sauce so it’s not cold when you make this recipe.  Otherwise, you’ll have to increase your cooking time.  This is a great way to reduce food waste and save time while making it a perfect recipe for busy weeknights.

 

Types of Pasta for Spaghetti Pie

 

While traditional spaghetti works great, you aren’t limited to just one kind. Try angel hair for a lighter texture, or swap in linguine, fettuccine for a thicker noodle base.  You can try shorter pasta like cellantini, bowtie, or even elbows. The main thing is to use cooked noodles that you can easily press into the pie dish to form a sturdy base.

 

 

Sauce Variations

 

This recipe works with all kinds of leftover sauces like meat sauce or bolognese.  Try leftover chili or even taco meat combined with some salsa.  If you want to go meat free there’s marinara, Alfredo, or even pesto for different flavor profiles. You can go the vegetarian route, too.  Try chunky tomato, roasted garlic, or a rich and hearty mushroom marinara sauce for a delicious twist. The sauce ties everything together, think of ways to leverage what you have on hand or make something new for this recipe.

 

Best Cheese for Spaghetti Pie

 

Cheese is essential for the rich, melty goodness of spaghetti pie. Mozzarella is a classic choice for its stretch and mild flavor. Cottage cheese or ricotta adds creaminess.  Parmesan or Pecorino brings sharp, savory notes with a nice salty umami flavor. For this recipe, I blended cottage cheese and mozzarella in the crust and topped the pie with mozzarella for cheesy goodness on top.

 

 

Mix-In Ideas

 

The great thing about this spaghetti pie is its endless customizability.  You can use any ground meat you want including Italian sausage hot or mild.  Or skip ground meat entirely and try some cooked chicken, shrimp, or shredded beef for a ragu type spaghetti pie.

 

I have added leftover sautéed veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions for extra nutrition and flavor.  I’ve stirred in roasted squash and eggplant.  Adding in some chopped kalamata olives, crisped pancetta, or even some chopped pepperoni can add a flavorful punch. Brighten flavor with fresh basil, parsley, or oregano to brighten the dish at the end.

 

 

Serve and Enjoy

 

Slice the pie into wedges and serve with a side salad or garlic bread. If you’ve used a 9 x 13 pan, slice it into squares and serve.  Since we eat with our eyes first, garnish servings with some chopped fresh basil or parsley for pops of color and flavor.

 

This recipe is great for family dinners.  You can easily double or triple it for larger parties.  It’s easily baked in a large pie dish, tart pan, springform pan, or casserole dish provided there’s enough pasta.  Or smaller dishes for individual servings.  Arrange torn fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of Parmesan on top before serving.