Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Pasta
- ½ lb. spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs (whisked)
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (not spicy)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 24 oz. marinara sauce
Topping
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare dish and cheese mixture: Use a deep 9 or 10-inch pie pan or a 2 to 2 ½ quart baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, salt, dried basil, parsley, oregano, and pepper. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil while preparing other ingredients. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the warm pot.
- Cook ground beef mixture: Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add beef and diced onion. Cook, crumbling the beef, for 7-10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Add seasonings and sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to the beef. Cook for 2 minutes to release flavors. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer uncovered on low heat while the spaghetti finishes cooking.
- Combine pasta with butter, cheese, and eggs: To the drained spaghetti, add butter and parmesan cheese, tossing to coat the noodles. Mix in the whisked eggs thoroughly to bind the pasta.
- Mix pasta with meat sauce: Stir 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce into the spaghetti mixture. Remove from heat and transfer to the prepared pie pan or baking dish. Press down to create a compact, even layer.
- Layer cheeses and sauce: Spread the ricotta and cream cheese mixture over the packed spaghetti layer. Top with the remaining meat sauce, covering the cheese layer completely. The pan will be full but this is expected.
- Add mozzarella and bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and hot. If desired, broil at 450°F for a few minutes to brown the top; watch closely to prevent burning.
- Rest before serving: Remove from oven and let the spaghetti pie sit for 10-15 minutes. This resting time helps it set and makes it easier to slice and serve. Enjoy your comforting spaghetti pie!
Notes
- You can use a 9 or 10-inch deep pie pan or a baking dish between 2 and 2 ½ quarts for best results.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for variation.
- Use your favorite marinara sauce or homemade for better flavor.
- The hot sauce adds depth and flavor without making the dish spicy.
- Broiling at the end to brown the cheese is optional but adds a nice golden crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American