This incredible Spaghetti Pie transforms ordinary pasta night into something truly special! Layers of al dente spaghetti, savory Italian sausage, and melty cheese are baked to golden perfection in a dish that’s sure to become your new family favorite. It’s the perfect marriage of classic Italian flavors in a fun, sliceable format that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Show-Stopping Presentation: This isn’t your everyday spaghetti! Slice it into wedges for a presentation that will have everyone reaching for their phones to snap a picture.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings – assemble ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready.
Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike go crazy for this dish. It’s like getting the best parts of spaghetti and lasagna in one incredible bite.
Versatile: Easy to customize with your favorite pasta add-ins and works beautifully as leftovers.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sweet Italian Sausage: Brings rich, savory flavor that elevates the entire dish. The fat content adds moisture and depth that ground beef just can’t match.
Ricotta Cheese: Creates a creamy, luxurious binding layer that holds everything together while adding wonderful texture.
Eggs: Work as the crucial binding agent that transforms loose spaghetti into a sliceable pie.
Marinara Sauce: The foundation of flavor! Use your favorite jarred sauce for convenience or homemade if you’ve got it.
Seasonings (salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning): Amp up the flavor profile and complement the sausage perfectly.
Spaghetti: The star of the show! Cooking it slightly al dente ensures it won’t become mushy during baking.
Mozzarella Cheese: Creates those irresistible cheese pulls when you slice into the pie. Dicing it (rather than shredding) creates perfect pockets of melty goodness.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds that distinctive sharp, salty finish that takes Italian dishes to the next level.
Fresh Basil: For a pop of color and fresh flavor that balances the rich components.

Variations

The beauty of Spaghetti Pie is how easily it adapts to different tastes and what you have on hand:

Vegetarian Version: Skip the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini instead.
Protein Swap: Try ground beef, ground turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken in place of sausage.
Cheese Lovers: Add a layer of ricotta mixed with an egg and herbs between layers of spaghetti for a more lasagna-like experience.
Spicy Kick: Use hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes to the marinara for heat lovers.
Gluten-Free: Works beautifully with your favorite gluten-free spaghetti noodles.

How to Make Spaghetti Pie

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Generously rub olive oil on the bottom and sides of a 9″ springform pan or deep dish pie plate. Place it on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential drips.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks until no pink remains (about 7 minutes). Drain off excess fat and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Ricotta Mixture

In a large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, 2 cups of marinara sauce, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until you have a smooth, well-integrated sauce.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti for about 3 minutes less than package directions – it should be very al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process, then return to pot.

Step 5: Combine and Assemble

Add the ricotta-marinara mixture, cooked sausage, and diced mozzarella to the spaghetti. Toss until evenly coated. Transfer this mixture to your prepared pan, making sure to distribute sausage and cheese evenly throughout. Top with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with parmesan.

Step 6: Bake

Cover loosely with lightly oiled aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until bubbly and the center reaches 180°F. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Perfect Pasta: The key is very al dente pasta – it will continue cooking in the oven, so undercook it slightly to avoid mushiness.
Even Distribution: Layer in the spaghetti mixture in batches, ensuring sausage and cheese are distributed throughout for perfect bites.
Clean Slices: Let the pie rest for a full 15 minutes before slicing. This isn’t just for cooling – it allows the structure to set up for cleaner slices.
Oil That Foil: Don’t skip oiling the aluminum foil – this prevents cheese from sticking to it when removed.
Temperature Check: Using a thermometer ensures the center is fully cooked without having to guess or cut into your beautiful pie.

How to Serve

Spaghetti Pie is a statement dish that deserves proper presentation:

Serving Suggestions:

Slice into wedges and serve with additional warmed marinara sauce on the side.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan.
Pair with a simple green salad dressed with light vinaigrette to balance the richness.

Perfect Pairings:

Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up any extra sauce
A light Caesar salad
A medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Montepulciano

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

Assemble the entire pie up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and add about 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover spaghetti pie in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Individual slices store beautifully for quick lunches and dinners.

Freezing

This dish freezes remarkably well! Freeze the entire pie (after cooling completely) or individual slices wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. For a whole pie or multiple slices, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 20-30 minutes).

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes for this recipe?
While traditional spaghetti creates the classic look and texture, you can experiment with other long pasta like linguine or fettuccine. Shorter pasta shapes won’t hold together as well in the sliceable “pie” format, but would still taste delicious in a more casserole-style version.

Why does my spaghetti pie fall apart when I slice it?
The most common reasons are undercooking (the eggs need to fully set), not letting it rest long enough before slicing, or using too little egg in the binding mixture. Make sure to let it cool for at least 15 minutes, and verify the internal temperature reaches 180°F before removing from the oven.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the sausage and increase the vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and zucchini make excellent additions. You could also add plant-based meat alternatives if desired.

My family doesn’t like ricotta cheese. Is there a substitute?
You can substitute cottage cheese (blended smooth first) or a béchamel sauce for the ricotta. Some people even use cream cheese thinned with a little milk for a different but equally delicious binding layer.

Final Thoughts

This Spaghetti Pie recipe takes comfort food to new heights – combining the familiar flavors of pasta night with an impressive presentation that feels special enough for company. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need something that can be prepped ahead, but also elegant enough for weekend entertaining. The sliceable texture and built-in portion control make it both fun to serve and practical for families. Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving Italian comfort food with a twist!

Spaghetti Pie Recipe