Spaghetti Pie
User Reviews
4.7
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
45 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr
-
Servings
6 servings
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Italian
Spaghetti Pie
Description
Spaghetti Pie is a layered casserole featuring al dente thin spaghetti combined with a tomato-based meat sauce made from ground beef or turkey, onion, garlic, and Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Simmering the sauce with crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce melds the flavors. Once cooked, the pasta is mixed with softened cream cheese and cottage cheese, which adds creaminess and richness.
The pie is assembled in a deep pie plate coated with cooking spray, then baked at a moderately high temperature. Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are included, some stirred into the pasta and sauce mixture, with additional cheese distributed on top to create a browned, cheesy crust. The final dish offers a firm, sliceable pie with a balance of savory meat, tangy tomato, and melted cheese.
Spaghetti Pie suits family dinners and occasions when you want a filling pasta bake served in pie form. It can pair well with a green salad or steamed vegetables as a complete meal. Using a deep dish pie plate helps achieve the characteristic thickness and shape; a larger baking dish can be substituted if you lack a deep dish plate by adjusting size accordingly.
The recipe notes suggest substituting ricotta or sour cream for cottage cheese if preferred, offering a mild variation on texture and taste. Draining excess grease from the meat keeps the sauce balanced and less oily. The pie could likely be prepared ahead and reheated, though the original notes focus on ingredient options.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces thin spaghetti noodles or vermicelli noodles
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small white onion diced, or yellow onion
- 1 clove garlic finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (28-ounce) (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (16-ounce) (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened, light
- ½ cup cottage cheese lowfat
- ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese divided
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese divided
Instructions
- Lightly coat a deep 9 or 10-inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the noodles until al dente according to package directions. While the noodles boil, heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it into pieces with a wooden spoon. Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally and continuing to break up the meat, until the meat is cooked through, 5-7 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and drain the excess grease, if any. Return the skillet to medium heat and stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil and oregano. Simmer the sauce over medium or medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
- When the noodles are done cooking, drain and return to the pot. Immediately stir in the cream cheese and toss the noodles by lightly lifting them up and over with tongs until the cream cheese is mostly melted. Stir in the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Toss until the noodles are evenly coated. Stir in 2 cups of the red sauce. Keep the remainder of the red sauce warm on the stove.
- Scrape the noodles into the prepared pie plate and using a flat spatula, press the noodles evenly into the dish so they are tightly pressed together and evenly flat across the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese across the top.
- Bake the spaghetti pie for 20-22 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly and the cheese is golden on top. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes. Cut into slices and serve with remaining red sauce.
Notes
- If you prefer a different texture, substitute the cottage cheese with ricotta or sour cream in the cheese mixture.
- Use a deep dish pie plate to achieve the proper thickness; if unavailable, use a larger baking dish and adjust size to maintain volume.
- Drain excess grease from the cooked meat before adding tomatoes to keep the sauce balanced.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 524kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 1466mg | 61% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
You'll Also Love
