17 Easy Leftover Spaghetti Recipes

Upgrade boring leftovers with these fun and easy recipes. From lasagna to carbonara, there’s a leftover spaghetti recipe for everyone!

Spaghetti is such a versatile food that’s hard not to love from children to adults. It is a dish loved by so many around the world and is a staple food in so many pantries. And there are so any different variations (like baked chicken spaghetti, which is constantly a part of our dinner menu).

What’s great about spaghetti is that it’s easy to make in big quantities. And being cheap and easy to make doesn’t mean it’s boring to eat. There are so many things you can do with the leftovers!

So why not upgrade your leftover spaghetti with these fun and easy leftover spaghetti recipes? As easy as it is to make too much spaghetti, it’s just as easy to use it up the next day with a variety of different, tasty leftover spaghetti recipes. So get to cookin’ and bon appetit!

How to Save Leftover Spaghetti

Spaghetti often leaves behind more than you planned. It’s easy to make too much, and it can dry out quickly if not stored properly.

Separate sauce and noodles: If possible, store plain pasta and sauce in separate airtight containers or resealable bags. This prevents the noodles from becoming soggy or absorbing too much sauce. Toss the pasta with a little oil or a splash of reserved cooking water (especially if it was seasoned with broth or bouillon) before refrigerating.
Refrigerate or freeze promptly: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Let the pasta cool before sealing to avoid condensation.
Add a little oil or pasta water: Toss the noodles with a drizzle of olive oil or a spoonful of reserved pasta water before storing to keep them from sticking and drying out.
Reheat gently: To reheat, drop noodles in boiling water for 30–60 seconds, or warm them in a pan with sauce or a splash of water to restore softness and flavor.

Easy Leftover Spaghetti Recipes

1 — Spaghetti Balls with Meat Sauce

For a creative twist on the classic spaghetti and meatballs, this spaghetti balls recipe turns leftover spaghetti into the “meatballs” and uses a rich red sauce as the base. The spaghetti is mixed with a creamy ricotta filling (or pesto, if you prefer), then shaped into balls and lightly fried or baked until golden. Serve them over a hearty meat or vegetarian sauce for a comforting, inventive spin on an Italian favorite.

2 — Spaghetti Lo Mein

Spaghetti Lo Mein Recipe for leftover spaghetti recipes — Photo by Delish

Spaghetti lo mein may sound weird, but it’s quite delicious. Depending on how “Italian” the spaghetti is with spices, it can be remade into a classic Chinese dish with just a few ingredients! This is best for nights when you make too much pasta. So leave some pasta aside for spaghetti lo mein tomorrow night! It’s great as a main dish or even a side dish with our easy orange chicken recipe.

3 — Leftover Pasta Frittata

If your kids hate vegetables and love pasta, then this pasta frittata is a great way to make them happy AND help them get their vegetable intake for the day. Plus, it makes for a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Frittatas are essentially very sturdy omelets. Simply add your desired vegetables like mushrooms, potatoes, spinach, or tomatoes to a hot skillet, mix in cheese and eggs, and voila! Your leftover spaghetti is now soft and chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

4 — Carbonara Frittata

spaghetti carbonara frittata recipe for leftover spaghetti recipes — Photo by The Pasta Project

This spaghetti carbonara frittata is a clever and delicious way to give leftover spaghetti or linguine new life. Featuring all the rich flavors of traditional carbonara (eggs, cheese, and crispy guanciale or pancetta), it’s hearty enough for dinner yet versatile enough for breakfast, brunch, or even a picnic. Serve it warm or cold for an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect any time of day.

5 — Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Talk about yum! This grilled cheese sandwich has all of the makings for a delicious plate of spaghetti but with a little extra garlic bread. Because cheese and sauce oozing out of the sides only make it better! It’s a beefy bolognese sauce and leftover pasta that is sandwiched in between layers of fresh mozzarella and topped with parmesan garlic bread. The melted mozzarella cheese actually helps keep the spaghetti (somewhat) contained.

6 — Leftover Spaghetti Boats

Spaghetti Boats Recipe — Photo by I Heart Naptime

Similar to the spaghetti sandwich, this spaghetti boat recipe is a boatload of delicious, cheese-soaked carbs from bread and spaghetti. Because of its design, it is great for kids and is less messy since it uses hollowed-out french bread instead of two slices of garlic bread.

7 — Spaghetti Cheese Casserole

Casseroles are a wonderful way to use up leftovers, and leftover spaghetti for a spaghetti cheese casserole is no exception. Consisting of only eggs, milk, dry mustard, flour, Monterey jack cheese, and leftover spaghetti, this recipe is easy to put together if you don’t have time to run to the store.

You can also swap out that Monterey jack cheese for your preferred pasta cheese like parmesan or mozzarella too. To take things up a notch, make this easy side dish with broccoli, chicken, or ham. P.S. If you’re a fan of casseroles, then you’ll love our keto breakfast casserole dish.

8 — Baked Spaghetti Pie

Spaghetti pie is exactly what it sounds like, a pie made of spaghetti. It’s chock-full of amazing veggies, and the pie design makes it easy to hide veggies in it for picky eaters. This spaghetti leftover recipe also features ground beef (optional), regular tomato spaghetti sauce and seasonings. It’s very easy to make on busy weeknights or makes a great comfort food for when you’re tired and need to carb up

9 — Spaghetti Salad

Favorite Spaghetti Salad for leftover spaghetti recipes — Photo by Spend with Pennies

This spaghetti salad is a fresh and flavorful way to reinvent leftover spaghetti. Tossed with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, peppers, red onions, and feta cheese, it’s all brought together with a tangy Greek-style dressing. Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or easy weeknight pasta sides, this vibrant dish is full of crunch, color, and Mediterranean flair.

10 — Leftover Spaghetti Lasagna

Lasagna is good. Spaghetti is good. And together they are great! This leftover spaghetti recipe takes on the design of traditional lasagna by layering leftover spaghetti noodles in a dish with velvety white ricotta cheese sauce, meat sauce (optional), and parmesan or mozzarella cheese. This combination of spaghetti and lasagna lets you enjoy the best of both meals while also using up your leftovers.

11 — Vegan Peanut Pasta Salad

Peanut Pasta Salad (with leftover spaghetti noodles) — Photo by Food Meanderings

Give your leftover spaghetti noodles a fresh, flavorful makeover with this spicy peanut pasta salad. Tossed with crunchy vegetables and a bold, creamy peanut sauce, it’s a quick and easy dish that comes together in just minutes. No cooking required!

12 — Spaghetti Pizza

Give your leftovers a second life with this creative leftover spaghetti pizza twist. By mixing cooked noodles with sauce, eggs, and cheese, you can form a crispy, golden crust that serves as the perfect base for your favorite toppings. Finish it with melted cheese, tomato sauce, or pesto for a fun, no-bake Italian mash-up that’s sure to impress.

13 — Spaghetti Meatball Muffin Bites

Baked Spaghetti Cups (with Veggies!) for leftover spaghetti recipes — Photo by Happy Kids Kitchen

These baked spaghetti cups (with veggies) turn leftover pasta into fun, handheld appetizers that taste just like classic spaghetti and meatballs. Easy to customize with different meats or cheeses, they’re perfect for parties, potlucks, or family dinners. No matter how you make them, these spaghetti muffin bites are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

14 — Spaghetti Donuts

To make spaghetti donuts, simply mix your leftover spaghetti with eggs and Parmesan. Then, form the mixture into a donut shape (or use a donut pan) and bake until firm (roughly 15 minutes). Top it off with additional marinara sauce and melted cheese.

15 — Leftover Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Don’t settle for a repeat. Turn it into leftover spaghetti pie. With just a few added ingredients and a quick bake in the oven, you’ll transform last night’s pasta into a brand-new, sliceable dish that feels anything but leftover. Serve it with a side salad and enjoy your delicious dinner redo!

16 — Fried Spaghetti with Eggs

Fried Spaghetti With Eggs Recipe for leftover spaghetti recipes — Photo by Short Order Cook

Fried spaghetti with eggs is a quick and flavorful way to turn leftover pasta into a satisfying meal any time of day. With just 5 ingredients, it comes together in about 15 minutes for a dish that’s crispy, creamy, and infused with garlicky goodness. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy weeknight dinner, it’s comfort food made easy.