Friendship Spaghetti Pie Recipe
Introduction
Friendship Spaghetti Pie is a comforting twist on classic spaghetti, layered and baked in pie pans for a hearty meal that’s perfect for sharing. This dish combines tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheeses into a delightful pie that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry spaghetti
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 (32 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 9-inch pie pans (aluminum)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and stir in the butter, then set aside.
- Step 2: While the spaghetti cooks, brown the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Step 3: Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef and remove from heat.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the beaten eggs and grated parmesan cheese with the drained spaghetti. Season with salt to taste, then divide this mixture evenly between the two pie pans.
- Step 5: In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, minced garlic, dried basil, and a pinch of salt. Spoon this mixture over the spaghetti in each pie pan, smoothing it out evenly.
- Step 6: Spread half of the meat sauce over each pie, then top each with an equal amount of mozzarella cheese.
- Step 7: To freeze, cover each pie pan tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil, and freeze until solid.
- Step 8: To bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake pies uncovered for about 25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese has melted. If baking from frozen, increase baking time to approximately 45 minutes.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh basil instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a bit of heat.
- Mix spinach or chopped mushrooms into the ricotta layer for extra veggies.
- Make ahead and freeze for easy weeknight dinners.
Storage
Store any leftover spaghetti pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. For longer storage, freeze the pie as directed; it will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pasta instead of dry spaghetti?
Yes, fresh pasta can be used, but reduce the cooking time accordingly since fresh pasta cooks faster than dry. Be careful not to overcook it before assembling the pie.
Can I prepare the pie entirely ahead of time and bake later?
Absolutely! Assemble the pie as directed, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it convenient for preparing meals in advance.
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Friendship Spaghetti Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 pies (serves 8-10) 1x
Description
Friendship Spaghetti Pie is a comforting and hearty baked pasta dish that combines tender spaghetti mixed with eggs and parmesan, layered with savory ricotta and garlic, topped with a flavorful meat marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for sharing with friends or family, this recipe makes two generous 9-inch pies that can be baked fresh or frozen for later.
Ingredients
Spaghetti Mixture
- 1 lb dry spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 (32 oz) jar marinara sauce
Ricotta Layer
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of salt
Toppings
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
Other
- 2 9-inch pie pans (aluminium)
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook 1 lb of dry spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and immediately stir in 4 tablespoons of butter until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown 1 lb of lean ground beef along with 1/2 small diced yellow onion until the meat is fully cooked and onions are softened. Drain any excess fat. Stir in one 32 oz jar of marinara sauce and remove from heat.
- Mix Spaghetti with Eggs and Cheese: In a large bowl, combine the drained spaghetti with the beaten eggs (4 large), grated parmesan cheese (1 cup), and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss well to mix evenly.
- Assemble Spaghetti Base: Divide the spaghetti mixture evenly between two 9-inch pie pans, spreading the pasta out in an even layer in each pan.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, 1 minced clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Add Ricotta Layer: Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the spaghetti in each pie pan, then smooth it out to form a uniform layer.
- Add Meat Sauce and Mozzarella: Spoon half of the meat marinara sauce over the ricotta layer in each pie pan. Top with 1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese per pie, distributing evenly.
- Freeze or Bake: If you want to freeze the pies, cover each pan tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil, and freeze until solid. For fresh baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Place the pies on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the mozzarella is melted and golden. If baking from frozen, increase the baking time to approximately 45 minutes.
Notes
- You can prepare these pies ahead and freeze them for easy dinners later.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and fat in the meat sauce.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or chopped mushrooms and use a vegetable-based marinara sauce.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and basil to your taste preferences.
- Allow pies to cool slightly before slicing for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: spaghetti pie, baked spaghetti, Italian casserole, pasta pie, ricotta pasta bake, meat sauce spaghetti, comfort food
