Spaghetti Pie Recipe With Ricotta Cheese
Spaghetti pie is a delicious Italian-American dish that is easy to make and perfect for family dinners. It is essentially a baked spaghetti casserole with layers of pasta, cheese, and meat. However, this recipe adds a twist to the classic dish by incorporating ricotta cheese. The result is a creamy and cheesy spaghetti pie that is sure to impress your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Grease a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly on the bottom of the pan.
- Add half of the meat sauce on top of the spaghetti.
- Add half of the ricotta mixture on top of the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the ricotta mixture.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips:
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage.
- You can also add vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the meat sauce.
- If you don't have a springform pan, you can use a regular cake pan or casserole dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
This spaghetti pie recipe with ricotta cheese is a delicious twist on a classic dish. The combination of pasta, meat sauce, and creamy ricotta cheese makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. Plus, it's easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. Give it a try and let us know what you think!