Pizza Spaghetti: Fazoli’s Copycat
Okay, hear me out—what if spaghetti and pizza had a baby? Like, all the saucy, cheesy goodness of a classic slice, but wrapped up in a twirly, slurpable, carb-loaded bowl of pasta? Well, good news: that dream already exists, and it goes by the name Pizza Spaghetti. If you’ve ever been to Fazoli’s (aka, the home of unlimited buttery breadsticks and nostalgic childhood cravings), you know this dish is elite. But today, we’re making it at home, and dare I say—even better.
🍕 What Is Pizza Spaghetti?
Imagine a big, cozy bowl of spaghetti, but instead of just marinara, we’re throwing in pepperoni, melty cheese, and all those classic pizza flavors. It’s like your two favorite takeout orders joined forces for the ultimate comfort food collab. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?
Oh, and fun fact: Spaghetti Pizza (yes, the flipped version) is an actual thing in Italy, where leftover pasta gets baked into a frittata-like pizza slice. But I like my carbs on carbs, so we’re rolling with this version.
🍝 Why You Need This in Your Life
✔️ Easy AF to make – It’s basically spaghetti with extra steps, but in a good way.
✔️ A guaranteed crowd-pleaser – Kids, adults, picky eaters—everyone’s obsessed.
✔️ A great way to use up leftovers – Got extra pasta or random pizza toppings in the fridge? Toss ’em in.
✔️ Melty, cheesy, gooey perfection – Do I even need to explain this one?
🔥 How to Make It (Fazoli’s Style, But Better)
1️⃣ Cook the spaghetti – Al dente, people. No mushy pasta here.
2️⃣ Toss with marinara – Or a homemade pizza sauce if you’re feeling fancy.
3️⃣ Layer it up – Pasta, cheese, pepperoni, repeat.
4️⃣ Bake until bubbly – That golden, melty cheese situation? Chef’s kiss.
5️⃣ Top it off – A little Parmesan, fresh basil, or even red pepper flakes if you like a kick.
Serve it up with some garlic bread (because, duh) and prepare for the compliments to roll in.
🌟 Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever had the internal struggle of “pizza or pasta?” this is your sign that you don’t have to choose. This Pizza Spaghetti is giving takeout fakeout, weeknight win, and “why didn’t I make this sooner?” vibes. So go forth, make a giant batch, and thank me later.
Oh, and don’t forget the extra cheese—because there’s literally no such thing as too much. 🧀✨
Pizza Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles or your favorite pasta
- 2 cups marinara or another pasta sauce
- Mini Meatballs
- 2 cups pepperoni mini or full-size pepperoni cut into quarters
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese grated or shredded
Instructions
- 1️⃣ Preheat & Prep: Set your oven to 375°F and get that pasta water boiling! Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, then drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- 2️⃣ Make the Sausage Meatballs: While the pasta cooks, grab a medium bowl and mix together the Italian sausage, Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Roll into mini meatballs using a ½ tablespoon-sized scoop.
- 3️⃣ Cook the Meatballs: Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil, and swirl to coat. Drop in the mini meatballs and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. (Sometimes I toss in some finely diced onion for extra flavor—highly recommend!)
- 4️⃣ Assemble the Dish: Add half of the cooked meatballs to the spaghetti along with half of the mini pepperoni. Stir in mozzarella and parmesan (if using—I always throw in an extra ¼ cup of parm because, well, cheese). Pour in your favorite marinara or pasta sauce and mix everything together until well combined.
- 5️⃣ Bake It: Transfer the spaghetti mixture to a casserole dish and top with the remaining mozzarella, parmesan, meatballs, and pepperoni. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and beautifully golden brown.
- 6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy! Dig in while it’s hot and gooey—preferably with some garlic bread on the side. 😍
