Friendship Spaghetti Pie

There are just some recipes that instantly feel like a warm hug, and Friendship Spaghetti Pie is definitely one of them. Whether you’re bringing a dish to a potluck, hosting a family gathering, or simply making a cozy weeknight meal, this recipe has that magic combination of being easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and incredibly delicious.

I first discovered this recipe when a dear friend brought it over for a neighborhood potluck years ago. After just one bite, I knew I had to get the recipe. What I love most is how it combines familiar, comforting flavors—like hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella—in a fun, unexpected way. Instead of your typical spaghetti night, you get a beautiful, sliceable pie that’s as fun to serve as it is to eat!

Let’s be honest, we all need a few dependable recipes in our back pocket that don’t require a ton of fancy ingredients or complicated steps. This Friendship Spaghetti Pie checks every box—it’s simple, affordable, and best of all, makes two pies, so you can enjoy one now and freeze the other for a busy night down the road.

Let’s jump right in and start building this amazing casserole together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 16 ounce box spaghetti

• 1 pound ground beef

• ½ cup chopped onion

• 32 ounce jar spaghetti sauce

• 4 tablespoons butter or margarine

• 4 large eggs, beaten

• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella

• Dried parsley for topping (optional)

STEPS: MAKING THE FRIENDSHIP SPAGHETTI PIE

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Getting your oven nice and hot before you start assembling your pies ensures everything bakes up perfectly once it goes in.

Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. I like to add about a tablespoon of sea salt or kosher salt—it really makes a difference in the pasta’s flavor. Once your water is boiling, add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. You want it cooked through but still firm enough to hold up as the crust of the pie.

Step 3: Brown the Meat and Onion

While your pasta is cooking, grab a large skillet and start browning the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat. Stir occasionally, breaking up the beef into crumbles as it cooks. You’ll know it’s ready when the meat is fully browned and no longer pink.

Step 4: Drain and Sauce the Meat

Once your beef is browned, turn off the heat and carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet. Then return the beef mixture back to the skillet and stir in the entire jar of spaghetti sauce. This hearty mixture is going to be one of our delicious layers, so keep it warm while we move on to the next step.

Step 5: Prepare the Spaghetti “Crust”

By now, your spaghetti should be ready and drained. Return the cooked pasta to the pot and stir in the butter while the noodles are still hot. The butter melts into the pasta, giving it a rich, flavorful coating. Quickly add in the beaten eggs and grated parmesan cheese, stirring everything together until well combined. This mixture creates a sturdy, flavorful base for your spaghetti pie that holds up beautifully when sliced.

Step 6: Divide into Pans

Now it’s time to assemble! Evenly divide your spaghetti mixture between two 9-inch pie pans. Press the mixture slightly with the back of a spoon to form an even layer across the bottom and sides of the pans—almost like creating a pasta crust.

Finishing the Friendship Spaghetti Pie: Creamy Layers and Cheesy Topping

Now that we’ve laid down the hearty spaghetti crust, it’s time for my favorite part—building those delicious layers that make this casserole so irresistible. The creamy ricotta mixture, the rich meat sauce, and the gooey mozzarella all come together to create a dish that’s pure comfort in every bite.

What I love about this recipe is how forgiving it is. You don’t need to be a seasoned chef to pull it off, and there’s plenty of room to tweak it based on what you have on hand or what your family loves. I’ve even used cottage cheese instead of ricotta when I’m in a pinch, and it still turns out delicious.

Let’s dive right into the next steps to finish assembling and baking your Friendship Spaghetti Pie!

Step 7: Make the Ricotta Mixture

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until it’s smooth and evenly blended. This creamy, herby layer adds such a nice contrast to the savory meat sauce and buttery spaghetti base.

Tip: If your ricotta feels a little thick, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of milk to make it a bit easier to spread.

Step 8: Spread the Ricotta Layer

Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly over each pan of spaghetti. I like to use the back of a spoon or a butter knife to gently spread it across the entire surface, making sure it covers the spaghetti crust completely. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth—once it bakes, it’ll all melt together beautifully.

Step 9: Add the Meat Sauce Layer

Next, spoon your warm meat and spaghetti sauce mixture over the ricotta layer, again dividing it evenly between the two pans. Spread it out gently to cover the ricotta completely. This hearty layer adds so much flavor and makes each bite wonderfully satisfying.

Step 10: Top with Mozzarella

Now for the finishing touch! Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top of each pie. This is where that classic cheesy goodness really shines. If you’d like, you can also sprinkle a little dried parsley on top for a pop of color—it’s completely optional but adds a nice touch if you’re serving this to guests.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Place both pies in your preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden brown around the edges. The smell alone will have everyone in your house asking when dinner’s ready!

Step 12: Let Cool Before Serving

Once out of the oven, let the pies cool for a few minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set up a bit, making it easier to cut nice, clean slices that hold together beautifully on your plate.

Helpful Tips and Variations

One of the best things about Friendship Spaghetti Pie is how versatile it is. Here are a few tips and variations I’ve tried over the years:

• Freezer-Friendly: Since this recipe makes two pies, you can bake one for dinner and freeze the second before baking. Just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and it will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

• Meat Variations: Feel free to swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, or even a mix for extra flavor. I’ve done a 50/50 mix of beef and sausage, and it was a huge hit with my family.

• Extra Veggies: Want to sneak in some veggies? You can add chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or even spinach to the meat sauce while it’s cooking for an extra boost of nutrition.

• Cheese Options: If you’re a cheese lover like me, adding a bit of shredded provolone or even a sprinkle of grated romano can elevate the flavor even more.

• Portion Sizes: This recipe is very forgiving when it comes to pan size. If you don’t have two pie pans, you can also assemble it in a 9×13 casserole dish and bake it all together.

Friendship Spaghetti Pie: FAQs and Final Thoughts

Now that your Friendship Spaghetti Pie is ready to serve, you might have a few questions before you dive into this delicious dish. Over the years, I’ve had friends, family, and readers ask me all kinds of things about this recipe. So, I’ve gathered some of the most common questions right here to help make your cooking experience even smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make Friendship Spaghetti Pie ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can fully assemble the pies and store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re starting with a chilled pie.

2. Can I freeze the pies before baking?

Yes, and that’s one of my favorite parts of this recipe. After assembling, cover the pies tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. It’s a lifesaver on busy nights!

3. What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Leftovers reheat beautifully. You can warm individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the whole pie in a 300°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. Just cover loosely with foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning.

4. Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes! If you prefer or only have cottage cheese on hand, it’s a great substitute. Some people even prefer the slightly lighter texture it gives. If you want a creamier consistency, you can blend the cottage cheese before using.

5. What if I don’t have pie pans?

No problem! You can make the full recipe in a 9×13 casserole dish instead of two pie pans. The baking time may need to be extended by about 5-10 minutes to ensure everything is heated through.

6. Can I add extra seasonings or herbs?

Of course. Feel free to add more Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of spice. Fresh basil or parsley sprinkled on top after baking also adds a fresh, bright flavor.

7. Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

Definitely. You can easily skip the ground beef and instead use a hearty vegetable sauce with mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. The rest of the recipe stays the same, and you’ll still get that wonderful layered effect.

Final Thoughts: Why Friendship Spaghetti Pie Is a Keeper

Friendship Spaghetti Pie has truly earned a permanent spot in my recipe box. It’s one of those meals that brings people together around the table, and I love how versatile it is. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight, delivering a comforting meal to a friend, or preparing a dish for a potluck, this casserole always delivers.

What makes this recipe even more special is that it’s simple enough for beginners, but still impressive enough for guests. The combination of buttery spaghetti, creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and melty mozzarella hits all the right notes. Plus, having a second pie ready to freeze means you’ve got dinner handled for another day—a total win!

Friendship Spaghetti Pie

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Friendship Spaghetti Pie is a comforting, layered pasta dish that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Tender spaghetti is mixed with buttery parmesan and eggs to form the “crust,” layered with creamy ricotta filling, hearty meat sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella. It’s an easy-to-make casserole that’s perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or cozy family dinners.

• Author: Mark's Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

16 ounce box spaghetti

1 pound ground beef

½ cup chopped onion

32 ounce jar spaghetti sauce

4 tablespoons butter or margarine

4 large eggs, beaten

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 ½ cups ricotta cheese

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

2 cups shredded mozzarella

Dried parsley for topping (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions in a large pot of salted water (add about a tablespoon of sea salt or kosher salt to the boiling water).

While the spaghetti is cooking, brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the beef is fully browned and crumbled.

Turn off the heat and drain any excess grease from the beef mixture.

Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the spaghetti sauce. Keep warm until ready to assemble.

Once the spaghetti is cooked and drained, return it to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted and evenly coating the spaghetti.

Stir in the beaten eggs and grated parmesan cheese quickly, mixing until fully combined.

Divide the spaghetti mixture evenly between two 9-inch pie pans.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth.

Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly over each pan of spaghetti, spreading it out with the back of a spoon or a butter knife.

Top each pie with the prepared meat sauce, dividing it evenly between both pans.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over both pies, using about 1 cup per pie. Add dried parsley on top if desired.

Bake the pies in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.

Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can prepare one pie for dinner and freeze the second one for later. Simply cover tightly and freeze before baking, then thaw and bake when ready to enjoy.
Use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for extra flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.
This dish pairs perfectly with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.