What do you do with spaghetti leftovers? Let’s find out.
Spaghetti is one of my favorite meals. It’s delicious, filling, and makes you feel like you’re eating in a 5-star Italian restaurant.
The only thing about spaghetti is that there are always leftovers. And if like me, you don’t like to waste food, you need to know how to use those leftovers in new ways.
This article discusses some of the best ideas for what to do with spaghetti leftovers. Read on to find out.
What can you do with spaghetti leftovers?
1. Leftover spaghetti salad
This type of salad is just like regular pasta salad, except that it uses leftover spaghetti in particular. It’s also a great way to use up a leftover salad too.
If you have leftover spaghetti sauce on hand, mix that into the salad as well for an incredible taste sensation. You can also add diced ham, chopped hard-boiled egg, and bell peppers.
2. Make an omelet
This is an easy way to use up leftover spaghetti and make a tasty breakfast. Simply scramble the eggs in a skillet, then add the cooked pasta and top with cheese and other toppings.
You can leave out the cheese if you’re eating dairy-free.
3. Lemon spaghetti
Tangy, zesty, and tart pasta!
It’s easy to make lemon spaghetti with leftovers. All you need to do is reheat the pasta and mix it with some lemon juice, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
The lemon juice brightens the finished dish, while the cheese gives it richness and body. You can also modify your ingredients to suit your dietary needs.
4. Leftover spaghetti pie
The idea of transforming leftover spaghetti into a pie isn’t new (it’s been around since the early 20th century).
But it’s still a great way to use up leftovers without turning them into something else entirely, especially if the spaghetti was originally mushy.
To make this simple dish, layer leftover spaghetti with ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese in a 9-inch pie plate or tart pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown and serve hot with extra marinara sauce on top.
5. Make spaghetti pizza
If you want something different from regular pizza for lunch, try making this delicious meal instead. Simply throw in some eggs, tomatoes, vegetables, and mozzarella cheese.
6. Spaghetti stir-fry
Yes, you can also turn your leftover spaghetti into a stir-fry dish. It’s easy to make since you already have cooked spaghetti.
Heat the spaghetti in a skillet with some olive oil, then add cooked chicken or shrimp. Season with garlic, salt, and pepper then cook until heated through. This should take only about 5 minutes.
7. Make some sandwiches
If you have cooked spaghetti leftovers, all you need to do is reheat it. Then, add some cheese and serve on bread with mayonnaise.
You can also add bits of meat and vegetables for a savory and heartier sandwich.
8. Use it in a casserole
This works well if you have a lot of spaghetti leftovers from dinner. You can also add a little water or broth to help soften it if needed.
However, don’t add too much liquid because you don’t want the pasta to become soggy from too much moisture. Add spices, cheese, and bits of meat for a hearty and flavorful meal.
9. Make spaghetti balls
Making spaghetti balls is a great way to turn that spaghetti dish into a snack. It is also easy to make and wouldn’t take much of your afternoon.
Mix the spaghetti, ground beef/shredded chicken, cheese, eggs, spices, onions, and breadcrumbs in a bowl. Mold the mixture into balls and fry in oil.
Serve with meat sauce or any sauce of your choice.
10. Leftover pasta fritters
To make spaghetti fritters, simply take some spaghetti leftovers, break them into pieces, and place them in a bowl. Add some eggs and grated cheese. Mix well until you have a sticky mixture. Afterward, add spoonfuls into a pan with olive oil.
Fry until golden brown on both sides, and keep warm in the oven while you cook the rest of the batch.
11. Add chopped ham
If you have a bowl of plain spaghetti leftovers, here’s how you can turn it into a new and fresh meal.
Add chopped ham or turkey sausage, veggies, and spices to the leftover spaghetti and cook. Serve with tomato sauce or any other sauce you prefer.
12. Make taco spaghetti
Do you have some extra taco meat? Transform leftover spaghetti into a simple Mexican meal with taco meat and taco shells.
This meal can be modified to suit any dietary restriction. Make it vegan/vegetarian by using black beans or pinto beans instead of meat. Leave out the cheese if you have dairy allergies. Use corn tortillas if you are gluten sensitive.
13. Leftover spaghetti meatloaf
If you also have meatloaf leftovers, great! Take out the spaghetti leftovers too.
Use spaghetti in place of breadcrumbs for your meatloaves. Simply toss them with egg and seasoning before adding them to the pan or oven. Bake and serve for Sunday lunch or dinner.
14. Spaghetti lasagna
It’s easy to make spaghetti lasagna with leftover spaghetti. Here’s how: cook up a pound of ground beef and some chopped onion in a skillet.
Add some tomato sauce, water, and herbs, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add your spaghetti leftovers and a cup of cheese, and mix well.
Top with more cheese and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s bubbly. Leave it to cool before you serve.
15. Leftover spaghetti cakes
Spaghetti cakes make a great addition to any breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal. If you’ve never tried this before, you should. Let me show you how to go about this.
In a large bowl, mix the leftover pasta and veggies. Add some beaten eggs to the mixture and stir until well combined. Pour the mixture into muffin tin cups and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
16. Chocolate spaghetti
Melt your chocolate in a double boiler or microwave until it is smooth and creamy. Pour the chocolate over your pasta and mix well until all the noodles are coated with chocolate sauce.
Add chopped nuts (if you want) and serve immediately.
17. Add spaghetti leftovers to fried rice
Fried rice is one of those dishes that can be cooked using whatever ingredients you have on hand at the time.
Add your spaghetti leftovers to almost done fried rice and cook until ready. Add some carrots, green peas, eggs, and seasonings to create a meal that’s even better than takeout.
18. BBQ Spaghetti
If you also have BBQ leftovers and spaghetti leftovers, try making BBQ spaghetti.
It’s a super-easy way to use them up and avoid waste. All you have to do is reheat the spaghetti, add the BBQ, some grated cheese, bacon, and green onions. Then, serve hot.
Are spaghetti leftovers still good?
Yes, they are. If you have spaghetti leftovers, they’re safe to eat for up to three days. Spaghetti doesn’t spoil quickly and can be stored safely in the refrigerator for a few days after cooking.
Keep leftover spaghetti covered with plastic wrap so odors from other foods in your fridge don’t contaminate it. The plastic wrap should be pressed directly against the surface of the spaghetti to prevent air from getting in.
You can also freeze leftover spaghetti in an airtight container or freezer bag to make it last longer.
Freezing spaghetti can cause it to lose some of its texture. But, if you’re looking for a way to make it last longer, this is one option worth trying out.
FAQs
How do you make leftover spaghetti taste better?
Add salt. A little salt will enhance all the flavors of your dish — not just the pasta but also any meat or vegetables you’re serving with it.
You can also add some spices like cumin, curry powder, and paprika to the spaghetti. And if you have fresh herbs on hand (like oregano or basil), add them at the end when cooking to infuse their flavors into the dish.
Is pasta the same thing as spaghetti?
No, pasta and spaghetti are two different things. Pasta is an umbrella word for pasta-based dishes, while spaghetti is a type of pasta made with semolina flour and water.
How do you eat spaghetti?
The most common method is to hold a fork in your dominant hand and use it to twirl the noodles onto your fork.
The fork should be held tines down. The handle should rest on your index finger and thumb while your other fingers are curled around the handle.
The tines should be facing inwards when you use the fork to twirl the spaghetti onto it.
Conclusion
As you can see in the article, there are plenty of things you can do with leftover spaghetti. You will not only be avoiding waste. You’ll also be saving up time you’d spend whipping up meals from scratch.
So next time you cook spaghetti for dinner and end up with some leftovers, ensure to get creative. Get plastic bags for storage and store the leftovers properly.
Also, remember to keep other types of pasta leftovers, there’s a lot you can do with them.
Thanks for reading.
