Spaghetti Pizza is not really a pizza, more like spaghetti served on top of Italian seasoned focaccia bread. This “recipe” was inspired by how we like to eat spaghetti… which is piled high on top of buttery garlic bread. It’s not normal, but it sure is delicious! If you like this easy dinner option, don’t miss my Homemade Egg Noodles that go great with so many dishes!
The Spaghetti
When making homemade spaghetti sauce I always make a meat sauce. I know some Italians are rolling their eyes and that’s just fine, they can stick to the traditional and timeless spaghetti and meatballs. But I grew up in North Dakota and with very little money and we made do with what we had. That often meant adding some inexpensive ground beef to a jar of generic spaghetti sauce. My dad would add butter and garlic salt to toast (poor mans garlic bread) and serve it up. As kids, we thought this was a magical feast and begged for it weekly.
As much as I still love the concept of spaghetti meat sauce on top of toast, I wanted to upgrade it a bit. I made spaghetti sauce from scratch (but still not technically authentic as I only cook mine for about 20 minutes) and then a quick homemade focaccia bread that is loaded with Italian seasoning and cheese.
My meat spaghetti sauce is perfect for this “pizza” because it is fairly thick. If you happen to prefer a runny sauce it would be difficult to eat. Definitely possible! But messy as heck. 😂
How to Make Focaccia Bread
Start with some basic pantry staples:
- water
- flour
- baking powder
- salt
- olive oil
- garlic salt
- Italian seasoning, divided
- Parmesan cheese
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook add water, flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix on medium speed until dough forms a ball. (about 5 minutes) If the dough appears too dry, you can add more water a teaspoon at a time. If the dough appears too wet and is not forming a ball, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
When the dough is done, add olive oil to a 12-inch skillet. (or sheet pan) Plop the dough into the oiled skillet and spread to a 1/2-inch thickness, making sure there are no holes. Use your fingertips to gently push the dough around. You want the finger indentations, no need to try and make it completely flat. Sprinkle garlic salt and remaining Italian seasoning over top.
Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with more olive oil then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven. Bake until just golden or about 5 minutes.
Now you can pile the spaghetti on!
How to Serve Spaghetti Pizza
Because I like to make the focaccia in the skillet, I usually serve it right out of that skillet. If you want to make the focaccia bread on a sheet pan, that would work beautifully too. Just make the bread, boil the noodles and prepare the spaghetti sauce. When the bread is done pile the noodles on top of the focaccia bread (as many or as little noodles as you would like), spoon the sauce on top of that, and then use a sharp knife to cut the bread into slices.
You eat this Spaghetti Pizza just like you would a pizza… picking up the slice with your hand and taking a giant bite. 🙂 Some noodle and sauce might fall off, so have a fork handy and just pile it right back on top. It’s not pretty to eat, but it’s so delicious you have to try it at least once. I probably wouldn’t serve this to guests, but for a family dinner? Absolutely, YES. The kids LOVE it. And I am brought right back to fond memories of my youth while enjoying a fantastic dinner!
Looking for More Great Dinner Ideas?
Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles
Spaghetti Pizza
You eat this Spaghetti Pizza just like you would a pizza… picking up the slice with your hand and taking a giant bite!
Ingredients
Spaghetti Topping
- 1 box (16 ounces) spaghetti noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (16 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 ounce) tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Italian Focaccia Bread Crust
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oiI
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit.
Spaghetti Topping
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook to package instructions.
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Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, green pepper, salt and pepper in a large saucepan. Cook and stir until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain grease.
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Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan. Season with oregano and basil. Simmer spaghetti sauce for 20 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Italian Focaccia Bread Crust
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In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook add water, flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix on medium speed until dough forms a ball.
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Add the olive oil to a 13-inch skillet. Plop the dough into the oiled skillet and spread to a 1/2-inch thickness, making sure there are no holes. Season with, garlic salt, and remaining Italian seasoning.
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Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven. Bake until just golden, or about 5 minutes.
Spaghetti Pizza
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Remove the Focaccia Crust from the oven and top with cooked noodles and spaghetti sauce. Slice and serve.
[…] savory dish is tangy and filling and oh so delicious! If you love pasta, make sure to check out Spaghetti Pizza and Corn and Sausage […]