Pasta Pie

Name: Pasta Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: nonstick cooking spray; kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1 lb spaghetti; 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 medium medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 2 cup good-quality marinara sauce; 0.5 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese; 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced; 3 large large eggs, room temperature; 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for topping; 1 cup whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded

Layered Spaghetti Pie with Three-Cheese Filling

Think of this as lasagna's easier cousin — long strands of spaghetti get tossed with seasoned beef and a creamy ricotta mixture, then baked into sliceable wedges. The result is comfort food that looks impressive but comes together without any fussy layering.

AmericanDinnerComfort FoodMeal PrepKid FriendlyIndulgentOne PotBakingBeef

Prep20 min

Cook35 min

Total55 min

Servings8

Difficultymedium

Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 lbspaghetti
1 lbground beef, 85% lean
1 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1 mediummedium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cupgood-quality marinara sauce
½ cupwhole-milk ricotta cheese
2 tbspfresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced
3 largelarge eggs, room temperature
½ cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbspfreshly grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
1 cupwhole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

Position a rack in the center of your oven and heat to 350°F. Generously coat a 9x3-inch cake pan with cooking spray, making sure to get the sides — this prevents sticking when you slice the finished pie.
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook it 3-4 minutes less than the package directions specify — you want it very al dente since it'll finish cooking in the oven. Drain thoroughly.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, break up the ground beef and cook until deeply browned all over, about 5-8 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper while it cooks. Transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
⏱ 8 min
Wipe the skillet clean and return it to medium heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally, about 4-5 minutes — don't let them brown.
⏱ 5 min
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the marinara sauce, ricotta, parsley, eggs, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until well combined. Add the drained spaghetti, cooked beef, and sautéed onions, tossing everything together until evenly coated.
Scrape the spaghetti mixture into your prepared cake pan, pressing it down gently to create an even surface. Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan evenly over the top.
Slide the pan into the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbling enthusiastically and golden brown in spots, about 25-30 minutes. The top should look set and slightly puffed.
⏱ 30 min
Let the pasta pie rest for 5 minutes before slicing — this brief cooling helps it hold together when cut. Slice into wedges like a pizza and serve warm.
⏱ 5 min