Friendship Spaghetti Pie

 

🍝 Friendship Spaghetti Pie: A Comforting Classic Worth Sharing

Some recipes are more than just food — they’re memories, stories, and moments shared around the table. Friendship Spaghetti Pie is exactly that kind of dish. It’s the perfect combination of comforting flavors, simple ingredients, and a whole lot of heart.

Whether you’re making it for a potluck, dropping it off to a neighbor in need, or serving it to your own hungry family, this recipe has one thing in common every time: it brings people together.

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❤️ Why It's Called "Friendship" Spaghetti Pie

This dish earned its name because it’s often shared — among friends, at church suppers, during hard times, or just because. It’s easy to make in advance, feeds a crowd, reheats beautifully, and most of all, it's made with love.

Friendship Spaghetti Pie isn’t just delicious — it’s a gesture of care and comfort, baked into every cheesy, saucy bite.

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🛒 Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make one 9-inch pie (about 6 servings):

For the Crust:

• 6 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 egg, beaten

• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Filling:

• 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

For the Topping:

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 jar (about 2 cups) marinara or spaghetti sauce

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Prepare the Crust

In a mixing bowl, toss cooked spaghetti with butter, beaten egg, and Parmesan. Press the mixture into a greased 9-inch pie dish, forming a “crust” on the bottom and up the sides.

2. Add the Cheese Layer

Spread cottage cheese or ricotta evenly over the spaghetti crust. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.

3. Cook the Meat Sauce

Brown the ground beef or sausage with chopped onion in a skillet. Drain any excess fat. Stir in your favorite pasta sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes.

4. Assemble & Bake

Pour the meat sauce over the cheese layer in the pie. Top with shredded mozzarella.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before slicing.

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🥄 Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a fresh green salad and garlic bread

• Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli

• Perfect with a glass of iced tea or a cozy cup of red wine

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🔁 Easy to Customize

This dish is wonderfully flexible:

• Swap beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles

• Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese for a richer filling

• Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce

• Make it spicy with a dash of red pepper flakes

You can even double the recipe and freeze one for later — or drop it off for a friend in need.

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🧊 Make Ahead & Storage

• Make ahead: Assemble the pie up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.

• To freeze: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze unbaked for up to 2 months.

• To reheat: Bake at 350°F from frozen (covered) for 45–60 minutes, or until heated through.

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💬 Final Thoughts

Friendship Spaghetti Pie is more than just a weeknight dinner — it’s a reminder that food connects us. It’s about nourishment, generosity, and those little moments around the table that turn into lifelong memories.

So whether you're feeding your family, helping a neighbor, or just craving comfort food with a purpose, this dish is always a good idea.

Share it. Enjoy it. Pass it on.