20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes (2024)

Home Dinner 20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes

By Heather

5 from 2 votes

Feb 28, 2022, Updated Aug 17, 2023

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Looking for some creative ways to enjoy last night’s pasta? From the classic to the surprising, this list of leftover spaghetti recipes is full of pasta-bilities! You may find yourself looking forward to the leftover recipes even more than the original spaghetti night. Whether you want to keep it simple or get a little saucy, this list has plenty to noodle over!

20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes (2)

Are you looking for some fun ways to enjoy leftover pasta that doesn’t involve simply reheating and eating as-is? When it comes to leftover spaghetti recipes, you might be surprised by all the pasta-bilities!

Choose from classics like baked spaghetti or spaghetti pie to saucy creations like spaghetti lo mein and even chocolate spaghetti! There are so many delightful flavor combinations to try and ways to give new life to your leftovers.

The beauty of pasta is that doubling or tripling the amount you make doesn’t add any extra work. And with so many delicious ways to enjoy your leftovers, you might as well make a big batch and save the extra to try out a few of these recipes!

1. Spaghetti Sliders

These tasty little sandwiches are fun to make and even more fun to eat! After all, how often do you get to eat spaghetti with your hands (and not make a TOTAL mess)? This one is sure to become an instant family favorite.

2. Leftover Spaghetti Pie

Get ready to be transported back to your childhood. This nostalgic recipe is good old fashioned comfort food and a great way to use up leftover spaghetti or beef sauce. You can also freeze any extra for up to 2 months!

3. Spaghetti Cakes

Who would’ve thought you could turn leftover pasta into such a fun little handheld meal? These spaghetti fritters are a bit like rice cakes and get a wonderful, crispy exterior while staying nice and soft on the inside. These cakes are also lunchbox friendly!

4. Leftover Spaghetti Bake

When you want to turn your leftovers into something that’s just a little bit different, this easy bake transforms them into something entirely new! The melty, gooey cheese on top really makes this dish.

5. Spaghetti Salad

This quick and easy chilled pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Leftover spaghetti noodles are tossed in a savory homemade Italian dressing is bursting with zesty flavor and loaded with plenty of fresh veggies.

6. Leftover Spaghetti Frittata

Believe it or not, this is an age old Italian pasta frittata recipe that’s just as great for brunch as it is for dinner! Eggs, cheese, bacon, and red peppers compliment the spaghetti beautifully.

7. Spaghetti Lo Mein

Melt-in-your-mouth tender beef with broccoli, carrots, and spaghetti noodles tossed in a rich sauce made with soy sauce, makes for an incredibly easy meal! Just skip Step 1 of cooking the noodles and use your leftover spaghetti to save time.

8. Spaghetti Cups

Grab your muffin tins for a fun 4-ingredient twist on a classic! Single-serving spaghetti cupcakes are crispy around the edges, gooey in the center, and absolutely irresistible. Feel free to mix it up with your favorite sauce too!

9. Leftover Spaghetti Boats

Cheesy garlic bread stuffed with hearty pasta? Yes please! Whether you called these “Skettie Sandwiches” growing up or you’ve never even thought of this combination of spaghetti stuffed in French bread and topped with mozzarella cheese, this recipe is the epitome of comfort food.

10. Spaghetti Lasagna

Also called “Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti,” this creamy dish has a melty cheese center and is topped with meat sauce and extra bubbly cheese for an instant favorite the whole family will love! One of my favorite ways to use spaghetti with such rich flavors, even a small portion is plenty satisfying.

11. Spaghetti Balls

This super fun dish is like the inverse of spaghetti and meatballs! Leftover spaghetti is combined with a ricotta mixture and lightly fried in oil, then served in a rich meat sauce. It’s quirky, unique, and completely delicious.

12. Taco Spaghetti

This tasty dinner idea is full of seasoned meat, tomatoes, cheese, and Mexican-inspired flavor. It’s a quick weeknight meal that’s kid-friendly and comes together in one skillet for easy prep and clean-up.

13. Chicken Spaghetti

The creamy 3-cheese blend with cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella takes this cheesy pasta bake to the next level! Use diced chicken breast or shredded chicken to add some protein. Rotel tomatoes add a pop of color and flavor while red pepper flakes and fresh parsley give it the perfect finishing touch.

14. Baked Spaghetti Mac and Cheese

Did you know that in the Big Easy, we make our mac and cheese with spaghetti noodles? Coated in a creamy cheese sauce and baked to golden-brown perfection, this comforting dish could become a staple in your home.

15. Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

If you can’t decide between pizza and pasta, this leftover spaghetti casserole combines all your favorite flavors into one delicious dish! Spaghetti noodles are topped with sauce, pepperoni, and cheese, then baked until the cheese is bubbly and the pepperoni is perfectly crispy.

16. Lemon Spaghetti

This simple dish is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. It’s great when you’re short on time, want to use leftover noodles, and the recipe only requires a handful of basic ingredients to throw together a super yummy dinner.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/590956782359743613/

17. Leftover Spaghetti Skillet

This easy skillet recipe will have you actually looking forward to spaghetti leftovers! Mix up your pasta with tomatoes, green pepper, and a little Parmesan cheese and never let day-old noodles go to waste again.

18. Chocolate Spaghetti

If this recipe sounds crazy, you just have to go with it. It’s like pasta served in rich and creamy pudding! This one sure to fulfill all your chocolate cravings, but you’ll only know how amazing it is if you give it a try.

19. Fried Leftover Spaghetti

This easy recipe will make your spaghetti taste even better than when you first served it! It’s cheesy, crispy on the edges, and has yummy pieces of browned cheese throughout. Best of all, this dish can be ready in just 10 minutes!

20. BBQ Spaghetti Casserole

With pork, barbecue sauce, and cheese, this recipe is like the spaghetti version of BBQ pizza. The finished casserole is a comforting, easy dinner that tastes unlike anything you’ve ever had before… in the best way!

How many days is leftover spaghetti good in the refrigerator?

Spaghetti should last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator is stored properly in an airtight container. Make sure to check for any spoilage and also smell to make sure it has a fresh smell.

Did you try one of these recipes to make leftover spaghetti taste better? Let me know in the comments below.

20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes (3)

Leftover Spaghetti Recipes

By Heather

A collection of recipes using leftover spaghetti and how to store leftover spaghetti.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups spaghetti

Instructions

  • To store leftover spaghetti, let it cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

  • To reheat, microwave for 4-5 minutes in a microwave safe container. Or place leftover spaghetti in a saucepan and warm over medium heat until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes (4)

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Thank you for visiting Food Lovin’ Family! With 3 kids I know it can be hard getting food on the table. Here you will find easy and delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

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20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you upgrade leftover pasta? ›

Pasta timbale

Cover the leftover pasta with a little béchamel sauce, then place the mixture into a baking pan. Cover with thinly sliced mozzarella and grated Parmigiano cheese and bake in the oven at 400° F for 15 minutes. You can also make a timbale in a crust using shortcrust pastry.

How can I make my spaghetti more interesting? ›

Here are my favorite ways to make canned spaghetti sauce more exciting!
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

What is the secret to the best spaghetti? ›

For best flavor, use certified San Marzano tomatoes. Add Parmesan cheese into the sauce while cooking. Use no salt added tomatoes. Use ground beef to cut down on sodium content.

Can I eat 5 day old spaghetti? ›

The Bottom Line is spaghetti or pasta has an average shelf life of 3 to 5 days before it reaches its expiration date. If you attempt to eat this pasta past 5 or 6 days, it can cause you potential food poisoning.

How do you jazz up leftover pasta? ›

Here are some ways to make leftover pasta sauce taste better if it is bland:
  1. Season it with salt and pepper. This is the simplest way to add flavor to your sauce. ...
  2. Add some acidity. ...
  3. Add some sweetness. ...
  4. Add some umami. ...
  5. Add some herbs. ...
  6. Add some garlic. ...
  7. Add some heat. ...
  8. Add some cheese.
Aug 3, 2023

How do you make spaghetti taste like a restaurant? ›

5 Ways to Make Pasta Taste Like It Does in a Restaurant (Without Cream)
  1. Don't cook the pasta in advance. Raise your hand if you've ever had your noodles finish cooking before your sauce is done. ...
  2. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. ...
  3. Save the pasta cooking water. ...
  4. Add the cheese at the end. ...
  5. Skip the dairy altogether.
Nov 16, 2017

How can I dress up spaghetti? ›

6 simple ways to dress up a spaghetti dinner
  1. Bread Crumb Spaghetti. This one's another extra-simple dinner. ...
  2. Drunken Spaghetti With Shrimp (Spaghetti Khii Mao). ...
  3. Spaghetti With Shrimp and Pesto. ...
  4. Spaghetti Puttanesca With Cannellini Beans. ...
  5. Spaghetti Alla Chitarra.
Aug 24, 2020

Why put Worcestershire sauce in spaghetti sauce? ›

Whether you can pronounce it or not, Worcestershire sauce is an easy, effective way to load up spaghetti sauce with umami flavor. It is salty, tangy, and has lots of potent vinegar, all of which cut through tomatoes to create a soothing, savory flavor.

What not to do when cooking spaghetti? ›

14 Mistakes Everyone Makes With Spaghetti
  1. Buying a bargain basem*nt spaghetti brand. ...
  2. Not salting the water. ...
  3. Not putting enough water in the pot. ...
  4. Not using a big enough pot to boil the pasta. ...
  5. Adding oil to the water. ...
  6. Adding spaghetti before the water reaches a rolling boil. ...
  7. Not stirring spaghetti to keep it from sticking.
Aug 31, 2022

Can you eat 2 week old spaghetti? ›

Refrigeration Matters:Stored Properly: If refrigerated promptly, spaghetti can be safe up to a week or slightly more. Check for Signs: Assess for off-odors or mold before consuming.

Is it safe to eat spaghetti that was left out overnight? ›

It is generally not recommended to eat spaghetti that has been left out at room temperature overnight, even if it was covered. Leaving cooked pasta at room temperature allows for the growth of bacteria, which can lead to foodborne illnesses [1].

Can I eat 10 day old spaghetti sauce? ›

While pasta sauce stays fresh for about five to six days after opening, sauces that contain dairy, such as Alfredo, are best used within three or four days. What is the shelf-life of unopened pasta sauce? Unopened tomato pasta sauce in a jar can last 12 to 18 months if properly stored.

What can I add to dry leftover pasta? ›

If you're worried about your leftovers being too dry, you can add an extra dollop of pasta sauce or even a few drops of water to the baking dish. This will revamp your leftovers and keep the taste and texture the same as the first time you enjoyed the meal.

How to make day old pasta good? ›

Method #1: Place in boiling water

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Place your leftover noodles in a colander and dip into the boiling water. Allow pasta to heat for about 30 seconds before removing from the water. Toss the pasta with your leftover sauce and toppings and serve.

How do you upgrade plain pasta? ›

Boil with a garlic clove and salt. The garlic adds a bit of flavor and then I remove it, mash it and re-add it to the pasta. Olive oil or butter and herbs. Adding a fat to the pasta makes it taste better if you're poor and need something.

How do you upgrade canned spaghetti? ›

Mix in Some Meat

Browning and adding some sausage, turkey, chicken or ground beef will increase your sauce's flavor, incorporate extra texture, infuse a heartier taste and up the protein content. Italian sausage is one of the best meats to add to your canned pasta sauce to achieve that classic Italian taste.

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