Fried Spaghetti Recipe with Leftover Pasta is the perfect way to use your leftover pasta al sugo (tomato sauce). An easy under 30 minute meal. Baked spaghetti is crispy on the exterior and soft on the interior flavored with a natural homemade tomato and basil sauce and plenty of parmigiano and mozarella cheese for a cheesy topping!

It’s a delectable take on a typical spaghetti dish that the entire family will enjoy! Next time you have leftover pasta let this be your go- to recipe! Serve it with Fast Italian No Knead Ciabatta Bread and a side of Best Italian Zucchini Fritters (easy recipe), or Italian Flat Green Beans Recipe (with Tomatoes and Garlic)!

Simple Ingredients

This recipe repurposes leftover spaghetti. Besides that as the main ingredient, you only need a few pantry staples. Use quality ingredients for best results!

• 1 recipe for Classic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro)
• Spaghetti (see pasta variety recommendations)
• Olive oil
• Eggs, room temperature
• Parmigiano (or Parmesan) cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Black pepper
• Basil, garnish

See recipe card for quantities.

Read TOP 5 Reasons Why You Should Grate Your Own Cheese.

How to make Fried Spaghetti Recipe with Leftover Pasta

Making homemade fried spaghetti with leftovers and a few eggs is super easy. I recommend reviewing this post before cooking your spaghetti pasta: How Long to Boil Spaghetti (pasta)- Perfect Every Time.

Special Note: If you are using leftover spaghetti with tomato sauce you can skip steps 1 and 2. You will want to heat your leftover pasta about 30 seconds in the microwave to soften it enough to mix with the egg mixture.

Hint: Let the spaghetti and sauce cool a bit, so you don’t get scrambled eggs when adding the egg mixture.

Leftover Pasta Recipe

Secret: Italians aren’t huge fans of leftover pasta. We like fresh spaghetti (or pasta) hot the minute it is made! When we were growing up my Nonna Laura used to make this fried spaghetti dish “spaghetti frittata” to get us to eat leftover pasta the next day.

What to make with leftover pasta

This humble dish is the perfect example of resourceful Nonna recipes! It is one of those childhood meals that always reminds me of her. Now, everyone in the family loves when we have extra spaghetti so we can make this the next day. 

It is now a favorite comfort food meal! More comfort food recipes: Authentic Italian Pasta Carbonara (no cream), Classic Italian Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce, Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti, Pasta with Pink Sauce, and Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Pappardelle Pasta.

If you are looking for an easy pasta recipe, you will also love this Garlic Pasta!

Pasta Variety

Precooked regular spaghetti, or another long noodle, such as angel hair pasta, linguine, bucatini, or fettuccini, work in this fried spaghetti recipe.

You can certainly use short pasta as well if that is what you have as pasta leftovers.

If you love baked pasta dishes try these recipes: Creamy Sausage Baked Ziti “White Baked Ziti”, Authentic Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce, and Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake with White Sauce.

What to serve with Fried Spaghetti Recipe with Leftover Pasta

This fried spaghetti dish is a filling main dish with the addition of the egg and parmigiano. I recommend serving with a side of zucchini and onions, or a simple salad and homemade Italian bread.

If you want a more filling meal you can also prepare our famous BEST Breaded Chicken Cutlets (Italian).

Variations

Try this recipe the original way the first time and the next time try a variation.

• Spicy – add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce (marinara sauce) to add spice, or add hot sauce before serving.
• Deluxe – add fried eggs on top to add extra protein.
• Protein – add a ground beef sauce such as Classic Italian Ragu Recipe (Meat Sauce) instead of your tomato sauce, or toss in cooked Italian sausage to the tomato sauce. You can also make it with leftover Pasta Amatriciana Recipe (Authentic Italian).
• Cheesy – to make extra cheesy spaghetti add extra mozzarella cheese or a mix with cheddar cheese on top before baking.
• Garlic and Spices – In my traditional and classic tomato sauce recipe I do not use garlic or spices. Feel free to add chopped garlic cloves, fresh parsley, or Italian spices if you wish (it is not traditional, but do as you please!)

Recommended Pan for Fried Spaghetti

I highly recommend using a cast-iron skillet for this so you can take it straight from the stovetop and place it into the oven.

That said, if you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can also use a large frying pan for the sauce and transfer everything to an oven-safe baking dish.

Serving option:serve the fried spaghetti dish upside down after baking it in the skillet. This exposes the delicious crispy bottom.

How to Store and Reheat

If you do have some leftover spaghetti, just transfer everything to an airtight container, and it will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

For reheating leftovers, you can use the microwave, stovetop, or oven. And for the best results, here’s what you can do to warm it up each way without drying out the pasta.

Reheat in Microwave

First, transfer the fried spaghetti to a microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water. 

Then microwave it for around 3-5 minutes until warmed and the cheese has melted. 

Reheat on Stovetop

To reheat the fried pasta on the stovetop, place everything in a frying pan with a little water. 

Make sure to cover the pan and cook on low for 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the pasta is heated.

Reheat in the oven

Place the fried spaghetti in an oven-safe dish, again adding a tablespoon or two of water. 

More delicious recipes for you:

• Angel Hair Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Herbs (Easy)
• Classic Pasta alla Gricia
• Easy Blackened Cod Recipe
• Classic Lobster Bisque Recipe
• Pasta with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic

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