19 Delicious Ways To Use Leftover Spaghetti

We’ve all been there at one point or another, you’re preparing a nice big bowl of spaghetti as an afternoon meal or an evening dessert, and you find that you have just a little too much cooked up. 

19 Delicious Ways To Use Leftover Spaghetti

Luckily not only is spaghetti safe to eat the day after, but it can just as easily be used as an ingredient in a whole range of delightfully tasty foods so that you won’t need to throw any away which can cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Try out some of these recipes perfect for leftover spaghetti that will put your mind at ease next time you’re cooking a big batch and wondering if you may have prepared a little too much. 

1. Leftover Spaghetti Pie

While spaghetti can be used as a fresh side ingredient for many of our favorite meals throughout the week, they can just as easily be made into some delicious comfort food such as this spaghetti pie which has a slight crunch thanks to its exterior but a delicious stringy core from the little amount of spaghetti that is required. 

2. Leftover Spaghetti Bake

With just a little bit of leftover spaghetti, you can make this nutrient dense bake which is filled with veggies, incredibly soft and delicate to bite into and is finished off with melty and gooey cheese over the top to bring all the ingredients and flavors together.

3. Leftover Spaghetti Frittata

With some eggs, cheese and bacon thrown into this spaghetti mixture, this frittata recipe is an excellent dish to cook up both as an afternoon snack, a main meal or even as a hearty breakfast to keep you energized and ready for the day ahead. 

With some red peppers thrown into the mix, this dish also has a slight spicy kick for those who want a bit more flavor than usual. 

4. Spaghetti Cups

Perfect for the kids but can be enjoyed just as much by the adults, spaghetti cups are small crispy bite size appetizers that contain a gooey center where the cheese and spaghetti is and doused in a sauce of your choosing. 

These cute desserts are perfect as a special treat throughout the week which can make full use of some leftover spaghetti.

5. Spaghetti Lasagna

If you’re wondering if leftover spaghetti will still work well as part of a lasagna, then you’re in luck.

As long as it is heated up correctly, you can have a soft, bubbly and delicious lasagna prepared in no time, and you only need a tiny amount of spaghetti to do so so it’s always worth considering when you have some spaghetti leftover from the day before.

6. Chicken Spaghetti

The 3 cheese blend of cream cheese, cheddar and mozzarella is what really makes this appetizing dish so creamy and a delight to both make and bite into.

Using either diced chicken breasts or shredded chicken for some added protein, you only need to mix in however much spaghetti you have left to create one of the easiest but most appetizing spaghetti dishes out there.

7. Leftover Spaghetti Skillet 

This incredibly healthy dish will almost leave you hoping that you do have some spaghetti leftover when you use it as part of a meal in the future.

Mixed in with some pasta, tomatoes and green peppers for just a bit more of a kick to the flavor, mix in a little parmesan cheese and this recipe will ensure you never need to throw out any spaghetti ever again. 

8. Spaghetti And Meatballs Muffin Bites

Instead of serving up a batch of regular muffins, why not try this recipe and mix them in with just a little bit of spaghetti and meatballs to instantly turn them into a party food that you can be sure your guests will be asking to have more of time and time again. 

Small, easy to make and perfect as an appetizer or comfort food, feel free to create these spaghetti muffins for any occasion. 

9. Quick Noodle Veggie Bowls

If you’ve eaten the main bulk of the spaghetti for a big and filing meal earlier in the day or maybe you’ve just got done enjoying a sweet or sugary dessert and you want something healthy to balance it out, look no further than this quick and easy veggie bowl which is packed full of healthy nutrients thanks to how many greens are thrown in, but is also made delicate and tasty thanks to the inclusion of some spaghetti. 

10. Pan Fried Leftover Spaghetti

This recipe is a case where you might actually enjoy the leftover recipe more than the main meal, and that’s because this recipe sprinkles some dried basil and crushed pepper seasonings along with parmesan cheese and a sauce of your choice to create a delightful dish which is so perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

11. Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Spaghetti really can be mixed into almost any foods that we would enjoy normally, and that definitely involves a grilled cheese sandwich where you can use a beef bolognese sauce which is tossed over the spaghetti and then sandwiched between some mozzarella and parmesan garlic bread to make for a crunchy appetizer that is tasty whenever you try it. 

12. Spaghetti Cheese Casserole

With just some eggs, milk, dry mustard, flour and of course a little bit of leftover spaghetti, you can make this incredibly appetizing creamy dessert which can be topped off with a cheese of your choice including mozzarella or parmesan.

Serve with a side of broccoli and chicken to add even more nutritional value to this delicious dish.

13. Chicken Spaghetti Lo Mein

This dish contains an incredibly deep and rich flavor that goes perfectly with some soy sauce and stir fried chicken to create a meaty meal that is healthy and also incredibly sweet to taste, making for a perfect way to use up some leftover spaghetti even if you don’t have much left. 

Finish off with some celery to make this dish even more refreshing and delicious.

14. Leftover Spaghetti And Meatball Panini

If you’re a fan of the slightly crunchy pressed down taste of a panini, why not turn your leftover spaghetti into a meaty panini recipe that is held together with some sticky cheese and is perfect as a packed lunch.

If you have some meatballs left over from the night before, don’t be afraid to cut these up depending on how big they are and throw them into the mix too to add even more meaty texture. 

15. Chocolate Spaghetti

There’s no better comfort food you can make from some leftover spaghetti than turning it into chocolate spaghetti, a sweet and delicious twist that makes the spaghetti that much more delicious and is an excellent option when you want to use spaghetti for both the main meal and the dessert so you don’t have to buy huge bulks of different ingredients at once. 

16. Taco Spaghetti

Easy to make and mixed in with a variety of different spices to give it an incredibly unique taste, this taco spaghetti is not only delicious, but it is very kid friendly so you can even make it as a packed lunch for school if you have enough spaghetti leftover. 

Feel free to add any of your favorite sauces to this taco recipe to add even more taste to an already delightful dish.

17. Easy Thai Pork Noodles

If you have just eaten a fresh main meal filled with spaghetti but you feel like you could eat just a bit more, this quick dinner can be made in as little as 30 minutes and is a nice hearty dish filled with meaty goodness from the pork and topped off perfectly with some soy sauce and peanut butter to really give off a thick and creamy taste that is perfect when covering the spaghetti and broccoli. 

18. Fried Spaghetti With Eggs

Whether you choose to eat it for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, this bowl uses up just a little bit of spaghetti which is fried up to give it a nice and delicate crunch and some eggs and a hint of garlic to make the overall taste a lot more creamy and enticing. 

Mix in just a little bit of cheese to make this dish even softer and if you want to make this fried dish as creamy as possible.

19. Spaghetti Fritters

You could definitely cook up a spag bowl for when you want a filling appetizer to snack on in the evening, however another great alternative that takes a lot less time to prepare and is just as tasty as a fully filled spag bowl are spaghetti fritters.

With a crunchy exterior and an extremely soft and succulent core, these bitesize appetizers are a delicious option when you want something that is packed full of flavor but still easy to digest after a bigger meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Spaghetti Stay Good For?

Just like most cooked pasta, spaghetti will last in the fridge for between 3-5 days.

To retain the maximum amount of flavor and quality, refrigerate the spaghetti in a shallow airtight container or a re-sealable bag so that nothing is lost while it is stored. 

If the spaghetti is mixed in with some sauce this can change the life span of spaghetti by quite a bit depending on the sauce, however it will usually last no more than 2 days when mixed with some so be sure to use up this spaghetti before it goes bad and becomes stale.

If you also have meatballs that you want to store for a meal down the line, they will usually also last 3-4 days when in an airtight bag in the refrigerator. 

How Can You Tell When Spaghetti Has Gone Bad?

There are a few clear indications to look out for to help you tell when your spaghetti has turned bad and is no longer edible.

The most obvious sign is in the appearance, if you notice any white, black or brown spots or any mold covering the spaghetti then this is a sure sign to throw it away.

The texture of the spaghetti will also be a lot more gooey and slimy and generally unpleasant to pick up when it has gone bad.

It will also give off an incredibly noticeable and unpleasant smell which is another obvious sign that the spaghetti is no longer edible. 

What Sauces Are Best For Spaghetti?

This really comes down to you as a person and what your taste preferences are, however marinara is one classic sauce mixture that is so tasty that you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t at least enjoy it on the odd occasion.

Pesto is another slightly more herby sauce that goes great over some spaghetti as well as the delicious and creamy taste of some Alfredo, the choice really is up to you so feel free to experiment with as many of your favorite sauces as you like. 

Summary

If you find that you have a bowl or two of leftover spaghetti, don’t throw it out just yet.

Try out some of these recipes that make full use of the flavor of some leftover spaghetti to find what could become your new favorite way to enjoy this delicious food.

19 Delicious Ways To Use Leftover Spaghetti

19 Delicious Ways To Use Leftover Spaghetti

Recipe by Jenna

While we are all guilty of having a bowl or two of spaghetti left over, why not make it into an exciting recipe to enjoy for the afternoon or evening?

Course: Dinner
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