Fried Leftover Spaghetti

Name: Fried Leftover Spaghetti
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 lb cooked spaghetti (leftovers OR 9 oz/ 250 g dry spaghetti, Note 1); 1 tablespoon butter; 1 cup tomato sauce (Note 2); 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp dried oregano; ½ cup Parmesan (freshly grated); 1 mozzarella ball (Note 3); 1 tbsp chopped parsley (or other herbs); ¼ tsp fine sea salt (more or less to taste); 1 pinch ground black pepper

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This super-fast fried leftover spaghetti recipe is perfect for using up leftover pasta. It's full of flavor and made with tomato sauce and cheese.

This delicious and versatile fried leftover spaghetti recipe is perfect for using up not only pasta leftovers but also various leftovers you might happen to have in the fridge, freezer, or pantry. For instance, cheese scraps, bacon, peas, a can of tuna, canned or fresh veggies, chicken bits, and so on.

Check out the Easy Spaghetti Pizza Recipe, too.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Ingredients: 8 + salt & pepper | Servings: 4 | Difficulty: Easy

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Recipe ingredients
What can I add to the spaghetti sauce?
How to make fried spaghetti?
To remember!
Recipe FAQs
What to serve with them?
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💬 Comments

Recipe ingredients

the ingredients for Fried Spaghetti - pasta, mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce, spices on a wooden board.

Pasta: You can make fried pasta with any other pasta sort; you will need 1-1.2 lb/ 450-550 g leftover cooked pasta.
- If you want to cook pasta from scratch, cook about 9 oz/ 250 g dry noodles.
Cheese: Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. I always say that Parmesan is for the taste and mozzarella for the fun and comfort.
Tomato sauce: I often use my homemade tomato sauce if I happen to have a jar in the freezer. Or one of these flavorful and quick-to-make Hearty Marinara Sauce or Italian Tomato Sugo Recipe.
- If not, your favorite brand of tomato sauce is perfectly fine.

See the recipe card for complete details on ingredients and quantities.

What can I add to the spaghetti sauce?

Whatever you happen to have in the fridge or pantry. This fried leftover spaghetti recipe is pretty basic, and you can do a lot with it.

Bacon: fry some cubes right at the beginning.
Onion and garlic: fry a small, finely chopped onion and one or two garlic cloves (with the bacon, for instance) until soft.
Add some peas, green onions, or some chopped canned artichokes. Or 2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach right at the end.
Add cooked and shredded chicken.
Add a small can of tuna, drained.

How to make fried spaghetti?

4 easy steps on how to make the fried spaghetti

Step #1: Heat a large skillet. Melt the butter and fry the spaghetti until lightly golden.
Step #2: Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat with the sauce. Heat well, especially if the noodles are cold, from the fridge.
Step #3: Add grated Parmesan and cubed mozzarella. Stir well until the cheese is melted.
Step 4: Adjust the taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately. If desired, sprinkle the fried leftover spaghetti with fresh, chopped herbs.

To remember!

If you want to calculate the ratio of dry to cooked pasta in the future, simply multiply the amount of dry pasta by 2.25. For example: 9 oz of dry pasta x 2.25 = 20 oz of cooked pasta (250 g x 2.25=574 g).

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta?

Absolutely, you can make this recipe with any sort of leftover pasta you have.

How to store and reheat fried spaghetti?

Refrigerate leftover fried spaghetti in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Reheat them in a pan, stirring often, or use the microwave.

spaghetti with tomato sauce piled in a bowl.

What to serve with them?

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