This Easy Leftover Spaghetti Recipe Can Be So Much More

This leftover spaghetti recipe is so much better than simply reheating yesterday’s pasta in the microwave and you can alter it to improve other pastas too.

I usually use an entire box of pasta, even if I am just cooking for myself, so there is usually a lot of leftover pasta in our house. If I am being kinda lazy, I will simply reheat it in the microwave, but it is obviously an inferior meal. With only a little more effort, you can create a delicious meal that is satisfying and can be even better than the original recipe.

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Dutch Oven	Mesh Strainers	Stainless Colander	Stainless Steel Fry Pan

Leftover Pasta Recommendations

• Leftover Pasta – You have two options here, 1) leftover spaghetti or 2) leftover short pasta, like ziti or rigatoni. In both cases, you should have lightly dressed the pasta with a sauce, but it isn’t a requirement. My default pasta is dressed with a simple tomato sauce, like a marinara, and this is perfect for the dish because it adds some flavor and color.
• Added Meats – You have a lot of options here. I chose a smoked pancetta because it packs a ton of flavor in a small package. You can choose anything you enjoy, like bacon, ham or sausage, but if you choose something fatty like bacon, you should cook it separately first because you don’t want to add all that fat to the final dish. I wouldn’t recommend guanciale because when it’s cooked, it is a little tough for this dish.
• Other Additions – This is truly a leftover dish, so you can try anything that you have in your refrigerator as a possible addition. Cooked vegetables, random cheeses and even some sauces can easily be tried. For toppings, I like Tabasco or Sour Cream, but try anything you like.
• Portions –  This recipe is based on 2 positions of leftover pasta. You can do this with a single portion, but just halve the meat, eggs and cheese to keep it all in proportion. If you have more portions, you might overflow the frying pan, so splitting it into multiple rounds is recommended,

More Questions About Using Leftover Pasta And Sauce

How Do You Eat Leftover Spaghetti?

This recipe is perfect for using leftover spaghetti. Frying the pasta and adding eggs and cheese is a great dish that you will love.

What Can I Use Leftover Spaghetti Sauce For?

You can use leftover spaghetti sauce in a number of ways. Certainly it can be frozen and used when you next cook pasta. You could add some oregano and use it as a quasi-pizza sauce. You could use it as a dipping sauce or also as a topping for a sandwich. If you aren’t sure, just throw it in the freezer quickly until you decide.

Is It Okay To Eat 5 Day Old Spaghetti?

When you hit the 5-day mark, you are getting close to the end of its useful life. People that are concerned about bacteria should be more concerned as the days tick by, so if you are hesitant, toss it.

How Do You Make Leftover Pasta Better?

If you are starting with a simple pasta with a marinara sauce coating, you can easily make leftover pasta better with this recipe. Sautéing the pasta in oil, adding eggs, cheese and meat will result in a great dish better than the original.

Leftover Spaghetti Recipe

• Difficulty: Easy
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook: 15 mins
• Servings: 2

Ingredients For Leftover Spaghetti

• 2 Portions of Leftover Spaghetti or another Pasta
• 4 Eggs
• 2 ounces (60 grams) of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
• 2 ounces (60 grams) of Smoked Pancetta
• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Other optional toppings, like Tabasco or Sour Cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Remove the pasta from the refrigerator and let it come up to room temperature.
2. Beat 4 eggs in a mixing bowl and add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
3. Dice the pancetta and add it to the frying pan with the oil over medium heat.
4. When the pancetta is lightly browned, add the pasta to the frying pan.
5. Sauté the pasta until it begins to brown. Using a wooden spoon, try to loosen the pasta so there will be room to add the eggs.
6. When the pasta is lightly browned, add the egg and cheese mixture and stir a bit to spread the eggs evenly around the pan. If you are not cooking spaghetti and are using a shorter pasta, continue to stir until the eggs are cooked.
7. With spaghetti, when the eggs are firm, you will need to flip the pasta to cook the other side. Use whatever process you are comfortable with. I placed a plate on the spaghetti, flipped it and returned it to the pan with the wet side down. Continue to cook for a couple more minutes to finish cooking the eggs. The entire egg pie (or frittata) should be placed on a plate.
8. If you are using a short pasta, instead of spaghetti, the mixture should be loose and when the eggs are cooked, add it to a serving plate or a bowl.

Serving Suggestions

You can top with some additional Parmigiano Reggiano or any other topping that interests you. I love using sour cream, but it is difficult to find in Italy. I also, sometimes, use Tabasco to give it a kick.

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