Leftover Pasta Bake (with Spaghetti)

Transform your leftovers into a mouthwatering delight with our leftover pasta bake or leftover spaghetti casserole recipe! Your whole family will ask for seconds.

What to do with leftover spaghetti? An easy answer: make a leftover pasta bake with spaghetti, tomato sauce, and melty cheese – a delicious recipe and an excellent way to reduce food waste.

Don't let the leftover spaghetti and tomato sauce go to waste. This easy recipe guides you through creating a delicious cheesy pasta bake with minimal effort. Combine your leftover pasta with rich tomato sauce, topped with a generous layer of gooey mozzarella, sharp parmesan, and some grated cheese for that perfect golden crust.

Try more amazing leftover pasta recipes: Fried Spaghetti or this quick Leftover Spaghetti Recipe, perfect next-day recipes that will make your entire family happy.

Or make this super comforting New England Chop Suey recipe.

Jump to:

• Why will you love this recipe?
• Recipe ingredients
• How to make a bake with leftover pasta?
• What can I add to a pasta bake?
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQ
• How to store and reheat?
• What to serve with leftover spaghetti bake?
• More comforting bakes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Why will you love this recipe?

• Budget and eco-friendly: This leftover pasta bake is a great way to repurpose ingredients you already have, saving you time and money. 
• Super easy to make: You'll have a warm and comforting dish in just a few steps. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, this delicious leftover spaghetti bake is ideal for cooks of all levels. 
• Family favorite: If you believe your kids adore spaghetti with tomato sauce, just wait until they try this cheesy recipe for spaghetti leftovers. They might actually enjoy it even more than the original dish.

Recipe ingredients

• Leftover spaghetti noodles or any other shape of cooked pasta previously used in a dish is now ready to be repurposed for a new delicious meal. Long or short pasta, anything goes. 
  • You will need about 1.1-1.3 lbs (500-600 g) of cooked pasta or 9-10.5 oz (250-300 g) of dry pasta.
• Tomato sauce: If you’ve previously cooked pasta with tomato sauce or marinara and still have leftovers, use those. Otherwise, use your favorite pasta sauce. Even pizza sauce is excellent. 
  • If you’ve cooked Bolognese pasta or a ground beef sauce before, use that instead of the tomato sauce.
  • I needed about 1 cup (250 ml) of tomato sauce (for instance, our homemade Italian sugo) for about 1.3 lbs (600 g) of cooked spaghetti. Use more or less according to how much pasta you have.
• Parmesan: Please use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Mozzarella cheese: A mild, stretchy cheese that melts beautifully, contributing a creamy texture and milky taste to your dish.
• Gouda or Cheddar: Gouda is a semi-hard cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, while cheddar is a sharp, aged cheese with a tangy taste. Both cheeses add depth and gooeyness. You can use either one or the other or a combination.
• Crème fraiche: A smooth, cultured cream with a tangy flavor, similar to sour cream but creamier.
• Other ingredients: Eggs to bind the ingredients, oregano, fine sea salt, ground black pepper, and some parsley. 

How to make a bake with leftover pasta?

• Mix leftover noodles, tomato, sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper (1). 
• In another bowl, beat the eggs and mix them with crème fraiche, half of the grated cheese, and freshly grated Parmesan (2).

• Pour the mixture over the pasta, add the cubed mozzarella, and stir gently to combine. Transfer the mixture to the lightly buttered oven-safe baking dish (you can also spray or brush the casserole dish with a bit of olive oil). 
• Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese evenly on top of the pasta casserole (3). 
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the pasta dish is heated through and set and the cheese is lightly golden brown and melted (4). 
• Let rest for about 5 minutes, then serve. 

What can I add to a pasta bake?

• Cooked leftover chicken or turkey, shredded or cubed
• Roast leftovers 
• Cooked Italian/ pork sausages or frankfurter/ wiener slices
• Cooked bacon cubes
• Drained tuna 
• Cooked shrimp
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Steamed broccoli
• Baby spinach
• Defrosted peas
• Drained canned corn

Expert Tips

• Pasta: Use any leftover pasta you have. If you haven’t got any but would still like to make a pasta bake, cook about 10.5 oz/ 300 g pasta al dente (according to the package instructions) and let it cool slightly before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients. 
  • If the pasta is already mixed with any leftover spaghetti sauce, it’s perfectly fine. Add the cheese, eggs, and spices, and bake. 
• Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese (Parmesan, Gouda/ Cheddar). Pre-grated cheese contains additives that will prevent it from melting nicely. 
• Spices: Feel free to use more spices. I only added oregano, salt, and pepper, but you could use other or more fresh or dried herbs, Italian seasoning, some red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for a  bit of heat. 

Recipe FAQ

How to store and reheat?

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for about 3 days.
• Freeze for up to 3 months and defrost in the fridge.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C), covered with aluminum foil, for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through and the cheese is melted.
• Reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe plate or container, loosely covered to prevent splatters. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, checking and stirring in between, until the pasta is heated throughout. 

What to serve with leftover spaghetti bake?

More comforting bakes

📖 Recipe