Description
A comforting and flavorful Spaghetti Pie that layers al dente pasta with savory Italian sausage, rich cheeses, and fresh basil, baked to golden perfection for a hearty meal that serves six.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Mixture
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
Meat Sauce
- ½ lb Italian sausage
- 1½ cups spaghetti sauce
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Cheese Mixture and Topping
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for cheese mixture)
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Pasta Ingredients: To the drained spaghetti, add the egg, melted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup). Toss well to coat all the noodles evenly. Press this spaghetti mixture firmly along the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie plate to form a crust.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until it loses its pink color and is fully cooked through. Drain excess grease to keep the sauce from becoming oily. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and chopped fresh basil, mixing thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Assemble Layers: In a small bowl, combine the cottage cheese with ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Spread this cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti crust in the pie plate. Spoon the meat sauce mixture on top of the cheese layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese (¾ cup) and grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup) evenly over the top of the pie.
- Bake and Rest: Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the pie is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and allow the pie to stand for 10 minutes before serving; this resting time helps the pie set and prevents it from falling apart when sliced.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the spaghetti; it should be al dente to hold up well in the pie.
- Pressing the spaghetti mixture firmly into the pie plate helps create a sturdy crust that holds the filling.
- Resting the baked pie before serving is crucial for it to set properly and maintain its shape.
- For a spicier flavor, use Italian sausage with added chile flakes or add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
