Description
A sliceable, hearty baked spaghetti casserole featuring a crispy pasta crust layered with creamy cheese and rich meat sauce — just like a cheesy, comforting pie night.
Ingredients
- For the pasta crust:
- 8 oz spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
- ¼–½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1–2 eggs, beaten
- Fresh basil or Italian seasoning (optional) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- For the cheese layer:
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- For the meat sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–1½ cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste
- For the topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch pie plate or baking dish.
- In a bowl, toss hot cooked spaghetti with melted butter (or oil), beaten egg(s), Parmesan, and seasoning. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides to form a crust. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- In a skillet, cook beef (or sausage), onion, and garlic until browned. Drain if needed. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer briefly.
- Spread the cheese layer (ricotta or cottage cheese) evenly over the crust. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Top with the meat sauce and smooth.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until melted. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Let cool 5–10 minutes to set before slicing. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Use ricotta or cottage cheese; both bind well and add creamy texture. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Leftovers reheat well in microwave or oven; you can freeze individual slices for easy meals later. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Enjoy with a side salad or garlic bread to round out the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 380 (approx)
- Sugar: undefined
- Sodium: undefined
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: undefined
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: undefined
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: undefined
