Description
Spaghetti pie delight combines classic Italian pasta with comforting casserole techniques for a memorable meal. Cheese, herbs, and perfectly layered ingredients create a hearty dish home cooks will savor with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 6 oz (170 g) spaghetti noodles, cooked until al dente
- 2 cups marinara sauce (preferably Rao’s)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsps salted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preparation: Activate the oven to 350°F (177°C) and generously spray a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray to ensure effortless release.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with onions, crumbling the meat until thoroughly cooked. Eliminate excess fat, then incorporate marinara sauce and reserve.
- Pasta Base: Boil spaghetti noodles until perfectly tender, drain completely. Merge noodles with melted butter, beaten egg, and half the parmesan cheese, creating a cohesive pasta mixture that will form the pie’s foundation.
- Crust Formation: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared pan, meticulously pressing and molding the noodles to craft a sturdy crust with a central reservoir for subsequent layers.
- Cheese Layering: Blend cottage cheese, remaining parmesan, oregano, and basil. Distribute this creamy mixture uniformly across the spaghetti foundation, establishing a rich intermediate layer.
- Filling Assembly: Cascade the prepared beef and marinara sauce over the cheese layer, smoothing the surface with precision to ensure even distribution.
- Baking Process: Shield the pie with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover, crown with mozzarella cheese, and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling surface.
- Serving: Allow the pie to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling layers to harmonize. Slice and serve while warm, optionally embellishing with fresh herbs for an aromatic finish.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking Strategically: Generously spray the cake pan to ensure easy removal and a perfectly shaped pie crust.
- Master Meat Preparation: Drain excess fat thoroughly after browning ground beef to keep the pie from becoming greasy and maintain a clean, rich flavor.
- Create a Sturdy Noodle Base: Press spaghetti mixture firmly against pan sides and bottom to form a solid, crispy crust that holds the layers together effectively.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow the pie to rest after baking, which helps layers set and makes slicing cleaner and more precise.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 653 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 106 mg