Spaghetti Pizza Delight
Transform your pizza night with this innovative Spaghetti Pizza Delight! This unique dish features a crispy spaghetti crust that serves as the perfect base for a medley of mouth-watering toppings. The first time I made this, I was amazed at how well the spaghetti complemented the classic pizza flavors. Not only is it fun to eat, but it's also incredibly filling, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner. Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite ingredients that pair well with spaghetti, such as pepperoni, sautéed bell peppers, or even fresh basil. Just a heads up—some combinations may not work as well, so go for classic pizza toppings for the best results.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spaghetti
1 (16 ounce package, broken into 2-inch pieces)
Eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
Milk
1/2 (cup)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 (cup)
Garlic Salt
3/4 (teaspoon)
Salt
1/2 (teaspoon)
Spaghetti Sauce
1 (jar (your choice))
Mozzarella Cheese
3 (cups)
Cooked Hamburger or Cooked Sausage
as desired (crumbled or sliced)
Mushrooms
optional (sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Break the spaghetti into 2-inch pieces and cook it according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
3
In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs until frothy.
4
Stir in the milk, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, garlic salt, and salt. Mix everything until combined.
5
Add the cooled, cooked spaghetti into the mixture, stirring gently until the pasta is well coated.
6
Grease a cookie sheet (10.5 x 15.5 inches) with cooking spray or olive oil. Spread the spaghetti mixture evenly across the sheet, forming a crust.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.
8
Remove from the oven and carefully spread the spaghetti sauce over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
9
Top with the remaining 3 cups of mozzarella cheese, cooked hamburger or sausage, and any additional toppings you desire.
10
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11
Allow the pizza to stand for 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve hot and enjoy your Spaghetti Pizza Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a Spaghetti Pizza Delight?
It is a unique fusion dish where cooked spaghetti, mixed with eggs and cheese, is baked to form a crispy 'crust' that is then topped with traditional pizza ingredients like sauce, meat, and more cheese.
Why do I need to break the spaghetti into 2-inch pieces?
Breaking the spaghetti into smaller pieces helps create a more uniform and stable crust that is easier to spread on the baking sheet and simpler to cut into clean slices after baking.
What is the purpose of the eggs in the spaghetti mixture?
The eggs act as a binding agent. When mixed with the pasta and baked, they solidify to hold the spaghetti noodles together, creating a solid base that can support the pizza toppings.
Can I use leftover cooked spaghetti for this recipe?
Yes, you can use approximately 16 ounces of pre-cooked spaghetti. Just ensure it is plain and not already tossed in sauce so the egg binder can adhere to the noodles properly.
What size baking sheet is recommended for this recipe?
A standard 10.5 x 15.5-inch cookie sheet is recommended to ensure the crust is the correct thickness and bakes evenly.
At what temperature should I bake the Spaghetti Pizza?
The oven should be preheated and maintained at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for both the crust baking and the final topping melt.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheet?
Yes, it is important to grease the sheet with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the egg and pasta mixture from sticking to the pan.
How long does the spaghetti crust need to bake before adding toppings?
The crust should be baked alone for about 15 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown.
How long is the final baking time after adding the toppings?
Once topped with sauce, meat, and cheese, the pizza should return to the oven for an additional 30 minutes.
Can I use ground beef or sausage?
Both work perfectly! Just ensure the hamburger or sausage is fully cooked and drained of excess grease before adding it as a topping.
Is it okay to use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese?
Yes, pre-shredded mozzarella is fine for this recipe. You will need 1 cup for the crust mixture and 3 cups for the top.
What kind of spaghetti sauce should I use?
You can use any standard jar of spaghetti sauce or marinara based on your personal preference.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely. Simply omit the meat and add extra vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or olives.
Should the milk be whole milk or can I use lower fat options?
Any milk will work, including skim, 2%, or whole milk, as it is used primarily to add moisture to the binding mixture.
Why must the pizza stand for 5 minutes before cutting?
Allowing it to rest helps the cheese and the spaghetti base set, making it much easier to cut into clean slices without the pizza falling apart.
Can I use garlic powder instead of garlic salt?
Yes, but if you substitute garlic powder, you may want to slightly increase the regular salt measurement to maintain the flavor balance.
What should I do if my spaghetti is still hot after cooking?
You should let it cool or rinse it with cool water. If the spaghetti is too hot, it might scramble the eggs when you try to mix them together.
Are there any toppings that don't work well?
While most pizza toppings work, avoid items that release too much moisture (like un-drained canned pineapple) as they might make the spaghetti crust soggy.
How many people does this recipe serve?
Given a full 16oz package of pasta and 4 cups of cheese, this recipe typically serves 6 to 8 people as a main course.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze individual slices. Wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
How do I reheat Spaghetti Pizza Delight?
For best results, reheat slices in the oven or an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is bubbly again. This helps maintain the crust's texture better than a microwave.
Can I use different types of pasta for the crust?
While spaghetti is traditional, thin linguine or angel hair could also work, though thinner noodles may result in a more delicate crust.
Is the crust very crispy like a traditional thin-crust pizza?
The edges become quite crispy, while the center remains slightly softer and more pasta-like, providing a unique 'al dente' crust experience.
Can I add mushrooms to this recipe?
Yes, sliced mushrooms are an excellent optional topping that pairs very well with the spaghetti sauce and mozzarella.
What is the total amount of mozzarella needed?
You will need a total of 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup for the crust and 3 cups for the topping).
Can I substitute mozzarella with other cheeses?
You can use a blend of Italian cheeses like Provolone or Monterey Jack, but mozzarella provides the best 'stretch' and classic pizza flavor.
Is this a kid-friendly meal?
Absolutely! It combines two of the most popular kid-friendly foods—spaghetti and pizza—into one fun dish.
Can I use fresh herbs?
Yes, adding fresh basil or oregano to the top after baking can enhance the flavor significantly.
How do I ensure the crust doesn't fall apart?
Make sure the spaghetti is well-coated with the egg and milk mixture and spread it into a tight, even layer without any gaps before the first bake.
What makes this 'innovative' compared to regular pizza?
Its innovation lies in the use of pasta as a structural base, replacing traditional dough with a protein-enriched spaghetti crust for a completely different texture.