This simple and satisfying Spaghetti Pie is warm and comforting, and full of flavors loved by the whole family. It’s a recipe passed from my grandmother to me and has been a loved dinner in our house for years and years. Easy to make with less than 10 ingredients, plus it makes for the best leftovers too!
Family recipes are the best recipes in my book, especially made by Grandma. Grandmas know best, after all! This hearty Spaghetti Pie is a special recipe my own grandmother passed down to me, and it’s become one of my family’s all-time favorite dishes…ever. It’s a tasty twist on tradition, full of saucy, cheesy deliciousness. Easy to make with big flavor payoff, this is the perfect dish to make for Sunday dinners, potlucks or busy weeknights.
With rich tomato sauce, tender pasta, savory beef, and an endless amount of melty cheeses, this Spaghetti Pie is comfort food at its finest. Baked to golden brown perfection, this is one of those meals everyone loves and requests – kids and adults alike. It’s easy to make in advance and great for leftovers. Somehow it tastes even better the next day (yes, really!). This one’s a definite keeper. We love you, Grandma!
If you like this hearty one-pan dinner, try these other comforting recipes. Our family loves this Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole and this One Pot Tomato Pasta is always an easy and delicious dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food With A Twist: Everyone loves comforting spaghetti, and this is a tasty twist on the classic. Serving spaghetti in saucy, cheesy baked pie form is fun for everyone.
- Make-Ahead Dinner: This whole dish can be assembled and baked ahead of time, making it the perfect meal to make in advance. It’s an easy and delicious time-saver.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: With classic flavors and familiar ingredients, spaghetti pie is loved by adults and kids. And it’s freezer-friendly, too, so it’s great for meal prep and leftovers.
- Simple Pantry Staples: This recipe calls for ingredients you’ve already got on hand and pantry staples you use regularly. It can be whipped up in no time.
Ingredients
- Pasta: I like to use angel hair because that’s what my grandma used, but any long, thin, noodle like linguine or spaghetti works well.
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 or 90/10.
- Tomato Sauce: Any store-bought variety does the trick, but if you have leftover homemade sauce, feel free to use it.
- Ricotta Cheese: Rich and creamy, and mild in flavor, we suggest using whole milk ricotta.
- Egg: The binder that helps to hold the pie together.
- Parmesan Cheese: Nutty and savory, grate your own.
- Italian Cheese: Use a classic Italian cheese blend that usually consists of Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Romano and Asiago. Again, freshly grate your own for the best flavor and texture. The pre-shredded stuff doesn’t melt as well.
- Salt & Pepper: Season generously, always!
- Italian Spices & Garlic Salt: For that classic, spaghetti taste.
How To Make Spaghetti Pie
1. Get your ground beef cooked up. I like to add in my own spices such as salt & pepper, garlic salt, and of course we can’t forget the 21 salute!
2. While your meat is cooking get your pot of boiling water going for the noodles, your sauce heated up and get your ricotta mixture ready to go. Once the water is boiling add the noodles.
3. In a small bowl add the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasonings and give it a good stir.
4. Once your noodles are cooked, drain the noodles and place back in the pot. Ladle in half of the sauce to coat the noodles.
5. Now let’s build the pie! Take a deep dish pie pan, make sure it’s greased so the noodles don’t stick, add in your noodles, enough to cover the bottom. Make a well in the middle of the noodles and add the meat, place your ricotta on top and smooth it out. Sprinkle the Italian cheese on top.
6. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, set to broil for a minute.
7. Serve with garlic bread and the remainder of the sauce.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook the noodles al dente, or even slightly undercooked to keep the pasta from becoming too soft or mushy. Remember, the noodles continue to cook as they bake in the oven.
- Let the Pie Rest: Once the spaghetti pie is removed from the oven, let it rest 10-15 minutes so it can set and solidify. This will ensure you get nice, clean slices for serving.
- Add Heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes will add a little kick and spice.
- Generously Grease Pie Dish: Use butter, olive oil or cooking spray to liberally grease the pie dish for easy removal.
Variations
- Swap In Italian Sausage: Ground beef is the classic, but try Italian sausage for a different seasoning and flavor. You could even use a combination of beef and sausage.
- Make It Vegetarian: Skip the meat all together and mix in veggies like sautéed mushrooms, onions, artichoke hearts, and spinach.
- Try Cottage Cheese: Swap in cottage cheese for ricotta for a slightly lighter flavor and different texture.
- Use Hot Italian Sausage: For some extra heat and added spice.
- Make Them Mini: Bake individual servings of spaghetti pie in muffin tins for mini portions.
What To Serve With Spaghetti Pie
Grandma’s Spaghetti Pie is delicious on it’s own, but if you want to add a side dish, here are a few of our favorites (grandma-approved!):
- Lemon Caesar Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Garlic Bread or Buttered Rolls
- Roasted Vegetables
- Simple Green Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm in the oven, covered, at 350° until hot and the cheese is melty. You can also reheat in the microwave if you’re in a pinch, but the oven will give you the best texture.
Freeze baked leftovers, too. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven until everything’s warmed through and the pie is hot and melty.
You can also make this spaghetti pie ahead of time. Assemble up to 24 hours before baking, then either store in the fridge, covered, until you’re ready to bake and serve, or you can cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze it unbaked for a future meal. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking, then cook per the instructions and enjoy!
FAQs
The egg and parmesan cheese act as a binder, and when they’re mixed with the pasta, they help to hold its shape and structure.
Absolutely. Use your favorite brand, flavor and variety. Jarred sauce works like a charm and it’s the perfect store-bought shortcut and pantry staple to have on hand.
Yes, you can freeze baked leftovers, or you can freeze the pie fully assembled and unbaked, for another time. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving, then bake to reheat and warm through, or to fully cook (per the recipe instructions).
More Easy Italian-Inspired Dinner Recipes
Spaghetti Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Get your ground beef cooked up. I like to add in my own spices such as salt & pepper, garlic salt, and of course we can’t forget the 21 salute!
- While your meat is cooking get your pot of boiling water going for the noodles, your sauce heated up and get your ricotta mixture ready to go. Once the water is boiling add the noodles.
- In a small bowl add the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasonings and give it a good stir.
- Once your noodles are cooked, drain the noodles and place back in the pot. Ladle in half of the sauce to coat the noodles.
- Now let’s build the pie! Take a deep dish pie pan, make sure it’s greased so the noodles don’t stick, add in your noodles, enough to cover the bottom. Make a well in the middle of the noodles and add the meat, place your ricotta on top and smooth it out. Sprinkle the Italian cheese on top.
- Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, set to broil for a minute.
- Serve with garlic bread and the remainder of the sauce