16 Leftover Spaghetti Recipes You'll Devour (2024)

These leftover spaghetti recipes will breathe new life into your day-old pasta!

Who doesn’t love spaghetti? But let’s be honest, no matter how good it is, leftovers are unavoidable.

It really loses its luster the next day, too. But it’s such a waste of good food if you throw it away!

16 Leftover Spaghetti Recipes You'll Devour (1)

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That’s why I found 16 recipes you can make with leftover spaghetti. These transformations are plain brilliant, and they’re so easy to pull off, to boot.

Whether it’s spaghetti from your kid’s birthday party or a casual dinner with the family, you can easily make it the next day’s winner.

1. Leftover Spaghetti Bake

As scrumptious as spaghetti is, chilling it in the fridge overnight takes its toll.

More often than not, refrigerated spaghetti is too dry and dehydrated.

Here’s a quick fix: pop it in the oven!

Leftover spaghetti bake is one of the simplest recipes I’ve encountered. It’s quick, easy, and absolutely amazing.

All you’ll need are eggs, butter, a bit of herbs and seasonings, and the pièce de résistance: cheese. Bake until golden, and dinner will be ready.

2. Easy Spaghetti Pie

Another fool-proof way to serve leftover spaghetti is to bake it into a pie. Yep, you read that right – spaghetti pie.

For this recipe, the more leftover ingredients, the better. Do you have ham and bacon?

Throw it in for added texture. You can add mushrooms, too, for an earthy flavor.

Top it off with parmesan cheese and serve in equal slices. Or, ya know, you can make yours bigger.

3. Leftover Pasta Frittata

Want to sneak veggies into your kids’ food? Make them a frittata!

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This dish is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. You can add spinach, potatoes, and even cherry tomatoes.

Throw them all in an iron skillet; mix in the egg and cheese, and you’ll have a hearty breakfast!

If the kids ask what’s in it? Just tell them it’s a secret.

4. Leftover Pasta Fritters

Anything is better when fried. I’m pretty sure everyone agrees.

If you’re not a fan of adding more stuff to leftover spaghetti, then this one’s for you. It’s a quick and fool-proof recipe that yields irresistible results.

All you’ll need is some oil and a frying pan! Drop molds of pasta into the pan and boom: spaghetti fritters.

Crisp, tender, and so flavorful, you’ll want to snack on these morning, noon, and night.

5. Spaghetti Pizza

In the mood for another Italian feast after last night’s spaghetti dinner? Convert your pasta into a pizza!

Italian traditionalists might frown upon it, but who cares, it’s delicious.

The idea of using leftover pasta as a crispy noodle crust is genius.

Top the crust with your favorite pizza toppings such as mushrooms, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and lots of mozzarella cheese, and you’ll have a certified hit.

Who says you need to choose between pizza and pasta? This dish combines the two into one majestic mash-up.

6. Spaghetti Lo Mein

Who would’ve thought that you can take an Italian ingredient and make a Chinese dish out of it?

Here’s what you’ll need: soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, and ginger powder.

Whisk that all together, and you’ll have a traditional lo mein sauce.

Throw in some veggies for a nice crunch, add in your leftover pasta, and tada! A magical dish is born.

7. Muffin Tin Spaghetti

Have you ever heard of impostor desserts? Here’s another chance for you to trick your kids into eating veggies without them knowing it!

Add grated carrots, chopped spinach, or peas to leftover spaghetti and place it in muffin tins. The rest is up to the oven.

You can even enlist the kids for a fun activity! This will make them more excited about the dish. Heck, they’ll probably ask for seconds.

8. Spaghetti Sandwich

This next dish is a full meal packed into one epic sandwich. Made of garlic toast, meat sauce, pasta, and cheese, it’s what I call a heavenly combination.

You really can’t ask for more. But you will ask for seconds!

This one’s a personal favorite because I love anything that oozes with cheese.

As you sink your teeth into the sandwich, the sauce and cheese ooze out from the toast. Sure, it’s messy, but it’s fun to lick it off your fingers!

9. Leftover Spaghetti Boats

This one’s another sandwich recipe, but instead of using garlic toast, you use hollowed-out French bread.

Trust me, it’ll surely be a family favorite.

Aside from being delicious, this is also super fun to make!

There’s something satisfying about scooping out French bread and filling the space with spaghetti and cheese.

What’s even more fun is watching the cheese melt in the oven!

Serve it the next day for movie night, and no one will even miss the popcorn.

10. Spaghetti Balls

There’s a wide array of fun ways to repurpose leftover spaghetti, but I’ll bet it never occurred to you to turn them into balls.

Instead of making meatballs, why not make spaghetti balls?

This playful and backward approach to spaghetti and meatballs is just the thing you need if you want to reinvent last night’s dinner.

If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, think of it as a dish from the Upside Down. It’s scary alright – scary delicious.

11. Leftover Spaghetti and Meatball Panini

Here’s the perfect fix for last night’s spaghetti with meatballs.

It’s a lot like a spaghetti sandwich, but this time, you’ll take out the panini press from the cupboard.

You can play around with what cheese you want. Gruyere, cheddar, mozzarella – take your pick. You can even mix and match as you please!

Serve it as a snack or pack it for your kids’ lunch. Trust me, they’ll come home with big smiles on their faces.

12. Carbonara Frittata

What if your leftover spaghetti has white sauce instead of the traditional red? No problemo!

Remember that spaghetti frittata we just talked about? Well, this time, instead of frying it in a skillet, bake it in the oven.

White sauce spaghetti is usually best served with bacon. So go ahead, toss in some (or a lot of) smoked bacon in there!

Add roasted potatoes and cream, and you’ll have a creamy baked frittata.

Serve with fresh orange juice or a hot cup of joe for an unforgettable meal.

13. Spaghetti Cheese Casserole

Want to turn leftover spaghetti into a stunning side dish? This recipe is all you’ll need.

I’m a fan of classic mac and cheese, but when I learned about this recipe, I fell in love.

I’ve made it countless times. Sometimes, I’ll even make it from scratch instead of with leftover pasta.

You won’t have to make any white sauce for this one. Just add all the cheeses you want to your pasta – mozzarella, cheddar, gruyere, parmesan – and bake.

It pairs well with anything! Eat it with fried chicken, pork chops, burgers, hot dogs – the sky’s the limit.

14. Leftover Spaghetti Lasagna

This one’s another personal favorite. I just absolutely adore lasagna! Knowing that I can make another version of it using leftover spaghetti pasta makes me happy.

Layers of leftover spaghetti, velvety white sauce, sweet and savory meat sauce, and cheese – OMG. I’m already drooling.

It’s so good, you’ll want to make it again and again. And again! I even make it a point sometimes to make more spaghetti just so I can whip this dish up.

15. Spaghetti Salad

Did you ever think you could make a salad with leftover spaghetti? Neither did I! But here’s one recipe your health-buff friends or family will 100% enjoy.

This one isn’t meant to be a main dish, so you can serve it as a side dish to go with grilled barbecue or steak.

There’s no cooking involved here, just a lot of tossing around, so it’s pretty easy.

Combine any leftover spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, olives, some shredded chicken – the works.

Don’t forget to coat it with a creamy Italian or Greek dressing!

16. Chocolate Spaghetti

Last, but certainly not least, say hello to chocolate spaghetti.

Yes, it sounds crazy… crazy good, that is!

Chocolate on pasta? Who would have thought? As strange as it sounds, it’s absolute perfection on a plate.

Whether you’re already a talented baker or a newbie in the kitchen, this crossover is simply one for the books.

The sauce by itself is already mind-blowing. Anything with cream cheese is just heaven for me.

Add in some sugar, butter, and of course, chocolate, and you’ll have an irresistible treat.

16 Leftover Spaghetti Recipes You'll Devour (3)

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16 Leftover Spaghetti Recipes You'll Devour (2024)

FAQs

How long does leftover spaghetti last in the fridge? ›

How long does spaghetti last in the fridge? According to USDA guidelines, you should use most cooked leftovers within 3-4 days if it is properly stored. Spaghetti needs to be stored in a refrigerator that is 40 degrees F or below.

Can you 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 long does spaghetti and meat sauce last in the fridge? ›

Homemade pasta sauce can be kept in the fridge for three to four days and store-bought sauce can last for up to four days. Homemade pasta should last in the fridge for one to two days and cooked pasta should keep in the fridge for three to five days.

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.

Can you eat 2 week old spaghetti sauce? ›

"After opening a high-acid canned food, like a tomato sauce, it can be stored safely in the refrigerator for five to seven days before being used," says Shelley Feist, executive director of the Partnership for Food Safety Education. Check the sauce before using, even in this timeframe, to make sure it has not spoiled.

Can you eat 10 day old spaghetti? ›

As you can see, no pasta, once cooked, is going to last longer than 5 days. In fact, if it's been in the fridge that long, it's probably best to get rid of it. Pasta lasts longer if it's been cooked in a sauce, such as leftover spaghetti bolognese or in lasagna, as this helps to preserve the ingredients.

How do you know if spaghetti is spoiled? ›

Like we said, dry pasta doesn't really go “bad.” It won't harbor bacteria, but it canlose its flavor over time. Use your best judgment based on appearance, texture and smell: If the pasta is at all discolored or smells rancid, toss it.

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 eat with spaghetti sauce instead of pasta? ›

I suggest that there are many delicious side dishes that can be served with tomato-based spaghetti sauce, other than spaghetti. Some options include garlic bread, roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, a side salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or a creamy risotto.

Why is leftover spaghetti so good? ›

Overall, the combination of absorption of sauce, a saturation of flavors, texture, and settling time can all contribute to why leftover pasta may taste better than freshly cooked pasta.

What can I do with half a jar of spaghetti sauce? ›

Typically we only use half the jar before it expires. I've used the leftover sauce to thicken and flavor the broth of my vegetable soup bases. It does the job of both canned, diced tomatoes and tomato paste, in addition to adding some nice Italian flavor and garlic.

Is week old pasta OK to eat? ›

Most cooked pasta only lasts in the fridge for between 3–5 days before it starts to show signs of expiration. Eating expired pasta comes with risks similar to those associated with eating other expired foods, such as foodborne illness.

Can I eat cooked pasta after 7 days? ›

Store-bought, fresh pasta is only good for 1 to 3 days, according to Healthline, while homemade fresh pasta is good for 4 to 5 days. However, once cooked, most pasta spoils in about 3 to 5 days. This includes stuffed pastas like tortellini and ravioli, as well as gluten-free, lentil-based, and bean-based pastas.

Can you eat spaghetti after 7 days? ›

How long do leftovers last? According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that.

Can I eat pasta that's been in the fridge for a week? ›

The bottom line

While dried pasta has a long shelf life in the pantry, cooked and fresh homemade pasta should be eaten somewhat quickly. Most cooked pasta only lasts in the fridge for between 3–5 days before it starts to show signs of expiration.

Can I eat spaghetti from 4 days ago? ›

Properly stored, cooked pasta will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Cooked pasta that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; pasta that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.

Does cooked spaghetti go bad? ›

Cooked pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within two days.

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