This Spaghetti Pie, with sausage, mozzarella and ricotta is a fun alternative to the traditional baked pasta dish.
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Spaghetti Pie Recipe
If you've never heard of a Spaghetti Pie, let me explain what it is: a baked ziti alternative made fun with spaghetti pasta baked in a pie dish. My version is studded with pieces of sausage and mozzarella, held together with a marinara ricotta custard and topped with a bright layer of marinara and parmesan to balance the whole thing out.
The first question you might ask yourself when thinking about spaghetti pie is: what is the point? Or at least that is what my husband said when I told him about it when I put the dish in front of him! He was confused at first about how this is different from regular spaghetti. And he quickly found himself the answer once he started eating. Not only is this noodle dish unique to look at, due to it's ability to slice it, but the sum of it's parts results in a truly delicious dinner thanks to the combinations of flavors and textures that a baked pasta dish offers.
So, let's get to making it, shall we? The text below offers tons of tips and helpful notes, or you can scroll to the bottom to grab the recipe and get started!
Ingredients Needed
Here is an overview of the ingredients needed for this recipe. The full recipe is listed below in greater detail.
- spaghetti
- tomato sauce (I recommend the Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce from my other website Everyday Family Eats)
- ricotta cheese + parmesan cheese + mozzarella cheese (you can use shredded mozzarella or cubed)
- Italian sausage
- herbs: dried Italian herbs + fresh basil (for serving)
- garlic powder + salt
- eggs
Equipment Needed
There is a lot of flexibility in the vessel used to bake the pasta. Given that this is spaghetti pie, it makes sense to use a pie dish! But this recipe won't fit in a standard depth pie dish. You'll need a very large or deep dish pie plate (I use this Pyrex one). I also tested it in a springform pan, and that works great.
Alternatively, you could use a 9" square baking dish if you have neither of the above-mentioned dishes.
Can I Use Leftover Spaghetti?
Leftover spaghetti can definitely be used in this dish, but keep in mind two things: the recipe is based on a pound of spaghetti. So if you have less than that, you might need to cook some additional to make up for it. Or adjust the other ingredient quantities based on the amount of spaghetti you have.
If you are using leftover fully cooked spaghetti, it will be a little soft once it finishes baking. The recipe below calls for the spaghetti to be cooked al dente, and if you are using leftover pasta, that might not be the case.
How to Make Spaghetti Pie
Here is a step-by-step overview of how to make this recipe. Keep scrolling for the full recipe with all instructions. This recipe takes about as much prep time as it takes to make a baked ziti.
- Make (or buy) marinara sauce. I have this great Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce that is my family's favorite on my other website.
- Cook spaghetti, drain and rinse under cool water to stop it from cooking. You want the pasta to be al dente since it's going in the oven for a bake!
- Cook sausage and prep other ingredients.
- Layers together the spaghetti pie.
- Bake, let rest for 15 minutes and serve!
How to Tell When It's Done
Because there is egg inside of the ricotta filling, it's important for the spaghetti pie to be thoroughly cooked. The best way to tell if anything in the oven is fully baked is to use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. The middle of the spaghetti pie should reach a temperature of above 180ºF to know that the eggs are fully cooked and safe to eat.
If you don't have a thermometer, bubbling towards the center of the pie is a good indication that the pie is done.
How to Serve It and Reheat It
Want to keep your spaghetti pasta standing up? Then you'll need to give it time to cool down, which is really no different than any other baked pasta dish. Spaghetti pie needs to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.
The first slice is always hardest to get out cleanly if you are using a pie plate, since you need to dig it out. This isn't the case if you are using a springform pan though.
You can serve this baked as a slice dish on a plate, or in a bowl.
Serve the pie with additional warmed marinara sauce if desired, and a sprinkle of basil or other fresh Italian herbs of parmesan cheese.
More Dinner Recipes:
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pot Pie
- Ricotta Stuffed Rigatoni Pie
- Spinach Artichoke Quiche
- Corn, Hot Pepper and Feta Pie
- Ricotta and Pepperoni Pie
I am so honored when you make a recipe from my site! If you make this Spaghetti Pie, please leave a comment and a star rating with your experience! If you have any questions about this recipe, feel free to comment here, too!
PrintFull Recipe
Spaghetti Pie
This Spaghetti Pie, with sausage, mozzarella and ricotta is a fun alternative to the traditional baked pasta dish.
- Prep Time: 00:05
- Cook Time: 01:15
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 4 cups (about 32 ounces) marinara sauce, divided (see note)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
- 1 cup diced mozzarella cheese (see note)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400ºF and rub olive oil on the bottoms and the side of a 9” springform pan or extra deep dish pie plate (see note) and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Heat oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Once hot, add ground sausage and cook until no pink remains, about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare ricotta mixture: Add ricotta, eggs, 2 cups of the marinara, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to a bowl and mix together until fully combined.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook, uncovered, until the spaghetti is very al dente—about 3 minutes less than the package instructions state. Drain the pasta through a colander and rinse with cool water until it is no longer hot. Return the pasta back to the pot.
- Add the marinara sauce mixture, sausage and diced mozzarella to the spaghetti and toss to coat.
- Add the spaghetti mixture to the prepared dish in batches, making sure to evenly distribute the sausage, cheese and sauce. Smooth it over into an even layer, and then top it with the remaining marinara and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
- Lightly oil a piece of aluminum foil, and loosely cover the top of the pan.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake until the pie is bubbling, with the center of the pie registering at least 180ºF with an instant read thermometer.
- Let the pie cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. If using a springform pan, gently run a knife around the outer edge to loosen the pasta pie from the pan before opening.
- Slice and serve with warmed additional marinara sauce if desired, and garnish the pie with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
The diced whole mozzarella can be swapped in with shredded mozzarella, if desired.
The recipe will use 4 cups of marinara sauce. Have a bit of extra on hand if you want to serve some with the sliced spaghetti pie.
There is a lot of flexibility in the vessel used to bake the pasta. Given that this is spaghetti pie, it makes sense to use a pie dish! But this recipe won't fit in a standard depth pie dish. You'll need a very large or deep dish pie plate (I use this Pyrex one). I also tested it in a springform pan, and that works great. Alternatively, you could use a 9" square baking dish if you have neither of the above-mentioned dishes.
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