Fried spaghetti is the answer when you want to transform leftover spaghetti into an indulgent and unique meal! The pasta gets cooked pancake-style and turns crisp on the outside yet remains tender on the inside. A layer of gooey cheese and fun toppings elevates the fried pasta and creates a truly indulgent and comforting meal.
Plus, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes! It is the perfect way to repurpose leftover spaghetti and turn it into something fun and memorable for the family.
Cheesy fried spaghetti is the solution to leftover dinner woes. It’s an easy recipe that takes just minutes to prepare.
And, since pasta leftovers are the main ingredient in this comfort food dish, you likely have all the ingredients you need to get started.
Fried spaghetti can be done using any kind of leftover spaghetti dish, like our classic Italian Meatballs and Spaghetti! It has a flavorful garlic and tomato sauce with tender meatballs you can certainly enjoy on the side of this fried spaghetti the next day.
Why This Recipe Works
Our fried spaghetti recipe is a great way to repurpose extra spaghetti. It’s amazing what a large frying pan and a clever cooking method can do for leftovers!
The result? A crispy texture on the outside and cheesy, gooey-ness on the inside. Load it up with toppings like marinara sauce or fresh basil, or enjoy it plain in all its fried and crispy glory.
This easy fried spaghetti recipe is:
- quick and simple to prepare
- ready in under 30 minutes
- a unique recipe that is family-friendly and kid-approved
- the perfect comfort food meal for busy weeknights.
The Ingredients
This is an easy pasta recipe that makes the most of spaghetti leftovers! It’s also incredibly forgiving, so you can riff as you like, especially with the types of cheese used.
Here’s a list of the simple ingredients you’ll need to make fried spaghetti:
- Eggs. This helps bind the noodles together in the frying pan.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese. Stirred in with the eggs and pasta, the Parmesan adds a wonderful flavor and also helps hold everything together.
- Seasonings. A blend of salt, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes is all you need.
- Leftover spaghetti with tomato sauce. Just your regular spaghetti with sauce, cooked and cooled, a.k.a. spaghetti night leftovers.
- Shredded Mozzarella cheese. This is needed to create that cheese layer in the center of the fried spaghetti.
- Olive oil. For frying, a must to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan. A little olive oil in the pan will also deliver the best results when it comes to getting those crispy bits on the fried spaghetti.
- Garlic cloves. Minced garlic adds an extra punch of garlic flavor to the dish.
- Toppings. Optional toppings include marinara sauce, shredded Mozzarella and fresh basil (or swap in fresh parsley).
How to Make Fried Spaghetti
Here’s a look at the steps involved in the process to give you a brief overview of this fried pasta. As always, scroll to the bottom of the page to view the printable recipe card, which includes all of the ingredient amounts, full instructions, and star rating.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the Parmesan and seasonings, then the leftover pasta noodles (and sauce). Stir well until the pasta is completely coated.
Heat a little bit of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, cook the garlic for a minute. Add half the pasta mixture, spreading it out in the pan. Add some mozzarella, then cover it with the rest of the spaghetti.
Push the pasta down to flatten. Fry spaghetti in the pan until it gets golden brown on the bottom.
Place a large plate over the skillet and flip the fried spaghetti onto the plate. Add a splash of olive oil to the pan and slide the pasta back onto the skillet to cook the other side over medium heat.
Press down on the pasta with the back of a spatula and cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
When done, transfer it back onto the plate. You can enjoy it plain, sliced into wedges.
Or, you can top it with marinara sauce and cover it with cheese, then slide it under the broiler until the cheese melts. Slice it into wedges and serve with freshly-chopped basil.
✅ Substitutions and Variations
This indulgent and crispy spaghetti is a fun and unique way to enjoy leftovers. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the types of pasta you can use and the toppings you can add. From classic spaghetti to creamy turkey tetrazzini, fried pasta is the perfect way to transform your leftovers into a new and exciting meal. Here are some more ways to make this recipe.
- Use butternut squash pasta topped with butternut sauce.
- Fry leftover rasta pasta and top with grilled sweet peppers.
- Swap out black truffle pasta and drizzle with melted black truffle butter.
- Use einkorn pasta topped with Romesco sauce.
- Fry leftover goulash and serve with beef and sausage meatballs.
- Leftover pasta Alla Carbonara and top with crispy bacon.
? Pro Tips for Success
- You can make this recipe without leftover spaghetti! Cook 8 ounces of dried spaghetti noodles (or any pasta you have on hand) according to the package directions. You can add tomato sauce to the fresh spaghetti or omit it entirely- this recipe will still work out well.
- You can make fried spaghetti using spaghetti mixed with ground beef or using a meatless spaghetti. If you have large meatballs in your leftovers, break them up before starting.
- This recipe is forgiving, which means you can adjust the amount of ingredients based on how much spaghetti leftovers you have. If you have less than what the recipe calls for, use only one egg. If you have more, add an extra egg or two or add in more Parmesan.
⏲ Storage and Reheating
Store any leftover fried spaghetti in an airtight container for up to three days.
When ready to reheat, you can either microwave it or bake it in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through.
To freeze, let it cool down completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months.
?️ What to Serve with Fried Spaghetti
Like any other pasta dish, our fried spaghetti recipe goes well with traditional spaghetti sides! Here are a few recommendations for what to serve it with:
- Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- No-Knead Focaccia Bread
- No-Knead Rosemary Bread
- Arugula Burrata Salad
- Little Gem Caesar Salad
- Sourdough Discard Crackers
⭐️ Helpful Tools
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? More Recipes You Will Love:
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Our baked spaghetti and meatballs gets cooked in one pan. It is an easy weeknight dinner that will save you time in the kitchen.
Creamy Bacon and Leek Pasta is an easy and delicious weeknight meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes, which makes it the perfect quick dinner for a busy weeknight. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this dish will please the whole family, and it is a great way to use seasonal leeks.
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Fried Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 4 cups leftover spaghetti with sauce cooked and cooled
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves chopped
Optional toppings
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and leftover pasta. Stir well until the pasta is completely coated in the egg and cheese mixture.
- Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, toss in the garlic. Cook the garlic for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add half of the pasta mixture to the skillet and spread it out. Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella, then cover it with the rest of the pasta mixture.
- Push the pasta down firmly with the back of a spatula. Let it fry in the pan for 6 to 8 minutes or until it gets golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Occasionally lift the pasta with the spatula to take a peak and make sure it isn’t getting too dark. Adjust the heat on the stove if needed.
- Place a large plate over the skillet and flip the skillet over so the pasta is on the plate.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the skillet and slide the pasta back into the skillet with the cooked side facing up.
- Press down on the pasta with the back of a spatula and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the bottom. You can eat it like this (sliced into wedges) or top it with cheese and sauce (below).
To Top with Cheese and Sauce
- Spread marinara sauce over the top of the fried spaghetti, then cover it with Mozzarella cheese. Slide the skillet under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Slice into wedges and serve with freshly chopped basil.
Notes
- If you don't have any leftover spaghetti, cook 8 ounces of dried spaghetti noodles (or any pasta you have on hand) according to package directions. You don't have to add sauce to the pasta unless you prefer.
- This recipe works well with meat or meatless spaghetti. If you have large meatballs in your leftover spaghetti, break them up before starting.
- You don't have to be super precise with the measurements. If you have less spaghetti leftovers than called for, use one egg. If you have a lot of leftovers, add an extra egg or two and toss in more Parmesan cheese. It is a very forgiving recipe.
