Repurpose your leftover pasta by making this Pan Fried Leftover Spaghetti recipe. It's one of those dinner dishes that tastes even better the second time around!
I grew up in a household that never wasted food. Now that I have my own family, I repurpose dinner leftovers all the time.
In fact, I take pride in the fact that a leftover dinner can be even better the next day. This Italian spaghetti recipe is a perfect example.
This dinner brings back memories of eating leftover spaghetti at my Nana's house. We ate spaghetti with Sunday Gravy at almost every Sunday dinner and then sometime during the week she pan fried up the leftovers.
Once you make this fried leftover spaghetti, you will make sure to cook extra pasta every time you make an Italian pasta dinner. Trust me on this!
If you are a pasta lover like me , also try my Pasta al Forno, Pasta Fazool Soup or Cavatelli Pasta and Broccoli. Or if you want something super simple, try this quick recipe for Garlic Butter Noodles.
Ingredients Needed
- Leftover spaghetti with sauce - Boil some spaghetti and add marinara sauce if you want to start without leftovers. I also like to fry up leftovers from my Spaghetti with Turkey Bolognese recipe.
- butter - I use unsalted so I have more control over the saltiness of this pasta dish
- seasonings - dried basil and crushed pepper is my choice but you can always add Italian seasoning, garlic powder or anything you like to spice things up. Here are some ideas for basil substitutes.
- grated Parmesan cheese -feel free to substitute another hard Italian cheese like Romano or Asiago.
- shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Fry Leftover Spaghetti
- Melt butter in a non- stick pan.
- Add leftover spaghetti, seasonings, and half of the Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- Cook until mixture starts to slightly bubble. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover with lid or aluminum foil loosely and cook for a few more minutes or until cheese melts on top. (Full instructions and complete ingredient list in the recipe card below.)
Best Part of Fried Spaghetti
This fried spaghetti is cheesy but the edges of the spaghetti are crispy. The cheese also creates yummy pieces of browned cheese. I can't get enough of them in my bowl. The larger the pan you use, the more surface area to create those browned bits of goodness. I am getting hungry just thinking about it.
FAQ's
Not a problem. Just boil some spaghetti and toss it with marinara sauce. Now you have leftover spaghetti and it is ready to fry!
Use whatever you have leftover. This recipe is very forgiving and the amount of other ingredients can be eyeballed and adjusted.
Start out with 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter for about 2 to 3 servings of spaghetti. You can add a bit more butter if you have more leftovers. The amount of cheese you add is up to you. You can start with a small amount and add as you go along. Although my motto is the more cheese the better!
Yes! Spaghetti dinners from restaurants are usually large portions so there is plenty to take home in a doggie bag. However the dog is not getting my spaghetti (sorry pup). The leftovers can be made into this delicious fried spaghetti.
You can really use any type of pasta you like however I prefer long strands of pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine or linguini.
Serving Suggestions
I prefer to serve a nice salad before or on the side of this spaghetti. It's definitely a higher calorie, comfort food meal so it's good to have a fresh salad with it.
- Simple Italian Salad via Modern Proper
- Strawberry Avocado Salad
- Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts
- Avocado Tomato and Arugula Salad
- Blue Cheese Tomatoes with Microgreens
If you like the ease of this fried spaghetti recipe, you might also love 25 more easy and quick meal ideas. I hope you spend less time over the stove and more time eating with your family!
If you like this recipe for Fried Leftover spaghetti, please give it a 5-star rating below.
RECIPE
Fried Leftover Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 cups leftover spaghetti with sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teasoon dried Italian seasoning
- crushed red pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium to large non stick skillet. Add leftover spaghetti, half of the cheese and seasonings.
- Toss spaghetti and cook for 7 - minutes on medium high heat until edges are brown and all the cheese is melted.
- Top with remaining cheese and cover pot with lid or foil. Cook another minute or until cheese is melted. Serve in bowls.
Notes
Nutrition
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Tawnie Kroll says
This is such a good idea and my family loved it, thank you!
Heather Perine says
Oh my gosh my husband makes me leftover fried spaghetti but next time I'm telling him to add butter!! YUM!
Dianne says
This sounds amazing I cant wait to make it tonight!!!!
lisa says
I hope you enjoy!
Sharon says
The minute I saw those photos I knew I had to make this recipe! It was so good. Even better than the original plate of spaghetti lol. Thanks!
Jessica Formicola says
Ok now this is genius! The perfect way to repurpose leftovers but still make them tasty!
Andrea says
This is such a great recipe. Perfect for my family as we always have leftover spaghetti.
Claudia Lamascolo says
This really has me so intrigued and I must try this. I have leftover spaghetti and making this tonight ... what a great idea I love how easy it is and everyone will love it!
lisa says
I hope you love it as much as my family does!
Rebecca Peebles says
Now here I thought I invented this recipe! I always add a little finely chopped onion to my butter and crank the heat UP before adding spaghetti to the pan. Let it cook long enough to get those brown, crispy bits you were talking about- yum! Then I kinda flip the whole mess over and "brown" the other side like a pancake. So very, very good!
lisa says
I think I might add some chopped onion next time! Enjoy!
Kaye Drake says
Making this for dinner, smells so good😀
lisa says
Hope you enjoyed it!
Gerry says
Thanks for sharing this great way to liven up leftover pasta! Made it last night with fusilli in sauce--with Pecorino Romano, cubed mozzarella, diced sopressata, etc. Used a #10 cast iron pan (because it really browns well). After the bottom was crispy, I put it under the broiler in my oven until the top was crispy too--beats trying to flip it. Delicious!
lisa says
Gerry,
Those additions sound delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa
Juleen says
I have to say, I used this idea with leftover Stroganoff... YUMMY 😋
lisa says
Juleen,
That's a great idea!I am going to try that.
Lisa
Debi Masciarelli says
Delicious 😋 a great recipe for leftover spaghetti.
DR says
Looked up recipe and found this one and will make it today….looks yummy
lisa says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
Steve says
Super delish! Gonna make it a staple. Thanks Lisa!
lisa says
Glad you enjoyed Steve!
Pamela says
Growing up in an Italian family, my mother made this alot with leftover spaghetti. This brings me back. What a wonderful dish to make.
lisa says
Thanks Pamela! It's one of my favorites and reminds me too of my grandmother making it. Enjoy!
Lisa
Randy says
Brilliant, and just what I was looking for. Thank you!
lisa says
Randy,
Thank you and enjoy!!
Lisa