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)

5 from 2 votes

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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20 Of The Best Leftover Spaghetti Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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.

What should be done with leftover spaghetti sauce at the end of a shift? ›

7 Ways to Use Up Leftover Pasta Sauce
  1. Use it in a vegetable casserole: ...
  2. Make a potato gratin: ...
  3. Use the sauce as a dip: ...
  4. Make a soup: ...
  5. Serve over polenta: ...
  6. Use as a bread topper or pizza sauce: ...
  7. Add it to other pasta dishes:
Mar 22, 2022

How long is leftover spaghetti with meat sauce good for? ›

How long does spaghetti with meat sauce last? Spaghetti with meat sauce will last about 4 days in the fridge which makes it perfect to eat for lunches during the week. If you want it to last longer, store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag and keep it in the freezer for 2-3 months.

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.

What gives spaghetti more flavor? ›

Dried herbs: Dried oregano, basil, and parsley are all classic Italian herbs that go well in spaghetti sauce. Add 1/2 teaspoon of each to the sauce. Red pepper flakes: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. This will give the sauce a bit of a kick.

How do you enhance leftover pasta? ›

Add a little olive oil, cheese, and sauce, then bake it again. As long as the pasta isn't dried out or soggy, it can be even tastier the second time around. Ricotta and mozzarella can bring leftover pasta back to life.

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.

Can I eat week old spaghetti meat 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.

How do you reheat leftover spaghetti and meat sauce? ›

If your pasta dish is already coated in sauce, reheating it in the oven could be the best option. Simply place your pasta (sauce and all) in an oven-safe baking dish, cover it with foil and bake at 350℉ for 15 to 20 minutes. This method offers the added benefit of making your dish a little crispy and bubbly.

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.

Can you eat 2 week old spaghetti sauce? ›

Once opened, it's best to use your jar of pasta sauce in about five to six days. For sauces that contain dairy, like Alfredo or other cream sauces, it's best to stick to three or four days. Unlike bread or other foods, mold is less of a concern — of course, if you leave that jar long enough, mold will certainly grow.

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.

What is the most important ingredient in spaghetti? ›

Tomatoes is the most popular ingredient in spaghetti sauce dishes. In fact, over 90% of spaghetti sauce recipes contain tomatoes. Variations of tomatoes include: tomato sauce: 15% of recipes.

What gives spaghetti sauce depth of flavor? ›

Olives and capers add a punch of briny goodness and give tomato sauce some real personality. Toss in some chopped or whole, pitted olives and/or a handful of drained capers after heating the sauce for several minutes. Or, if you're adding garlic or sautéed vegetables, add to the sauté just before you pour in the sauce.

What not to do when cooking spaghetti? ›

5 Things We Never Do When Making Pasta
  1. Use a small pot to boil the pasta. Pasta needs room to breathe. ...
  2. Neglect to salt the water. Salting the water is the only opportunity you have to season the pasta itself. ...
  3. Forget to give the pasta a stir or two as it cooks. ...
  4. Cook it past al dente. ...
  5. Dump out all of the pasta water.
May 1, 2019

What makes spaghetti noodles taste better? ›

Adding fresh vegetables to your pasta dish is an easy way to make it more flavorful and more nutritious! Start by sautéing diced onion, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots in a pan until soft. Then add your spaghetti sauce and simmer for a few minutes to finish it off!

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