Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (2024)

Leftover Spaghetti Bake is an easy way to really transform leftover spaghetti into a different meal the second night. You can use spaghetti with meat sauce or with meatballs in this recipe too! The sky is the limit.

Table of contents

  • 🔑 Key to Success #1 – Choose Your Own Adventure
  • 🔑 Key to Success #2 – Bake Covered
  • 🔑 Key to Success #3 – Sprinkle on the Cheese
  • đź“Ś Save this Leftover Spaghetti Bake to your favorite Easy Meals Board!
Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (1)

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This Baked Spaghetti recipe was born from the desire to have something besides leftover spaghetti the second night.

Spaghetti is a favorite around our house, and we eat it frequently.

But it makes a lot, and there’s always enough for another night’s dinner.

Sometimes I just want to do something different than warming up the leftover spaghetti in the microwave though.

So, this is how I throw the spaghetti together in a casserole dish to make it an entirely new meal.

This is a very popular recipe on our blog so I hope you enjoy it too!

Disclosure – I may get a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.

Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (2)
Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (3)

🔑 Key to Success #1 – Choose Your Own Adventure

This basic leftover spaghetti dish can be customized a zillion different ways but it all starts with your favorite spaghetti recipe.

My son, Noah, loves spaghetti and meatballs. He insists on the meatballs.

So my leftover spaghetti almost always has meatballs in it.

First, combine your spaghetti noodles and your sauce if not already done so.

You can add additional meat or additional vegetables to your spaghetti if you’d like.

You can add onions or peppers or carrots if you’d like but make sure they’re already cooked/soft before you add them since this is a quick-cooking pasta dish.

The amount of pasta you have is not super important either.

If you have at least 3-4 servings of pasta, I wouldn’t change the amount of the other ingredients listed in the recipe.

Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (4)

🔑 Key to Success #2 – Bake Covered

After you add the Italian seasoning, eggs, butter, and Parmesan cheese, spread the pasta into your greased baking dish and cover the whole thing with aluminum foil. (Does anyone still call it tin foil?)

You’ll bake the pasta for about 30 minutes covered with foil.

Make sure the foil is fully covering the pasta so that it doesn’t dry out in the oven.

If you reach 30 minutes and you feel like your pasta is not warm enough, pop it back into the oven covered for up to 15 minutes more.

Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (5)

🔑 Key to Success #3 – Sprinkle on the Cheese

I like to top this Spaghetti Bake with freshly shredded cheddar cheese but you could also use mozzarella cheese for a more traditional Italian spaghetti dish.

However, I’m a big lover of cheddar cheese on spaghetti, so I hope you’ll give it a shot.

After you’ve sprinkled the cheese on top of the oven-warmed spaghetti bake, return it to the oven for another 10 minutes or so, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and gooey.

You may also use a broiler to melt the cheese on top of this dish if you have one.

Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t become too brown!

Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (6)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you can make this dish with fresh pasta as well.

I’d suggest using a half-pound of cooked pasta noodles (does not have to be spaghetti!) and a jar of prepared sauce.

I prefer the Prego Traditional pasta sauce but you can use your favorite variety or even homemade spaghetti sauce.

đź“Ś Save this Leftover Spaghetti Bake to your favorite Easy Meals Board!

Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (7)

Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (8)

Leftover Spaghetti Bake

Leftover Spaghetti Bake is an easy way to really transform leftover spaghetti into a different meal the second night. You can use spaghetti with meat sauce or with meatballs in this recipe too! Never wonder what to do with leftover spaghetti again.

4.25 from 12 votes

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Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 417kcal

Author: Jennifer

Ingredients

  • your favorite spaghetti recipe with sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 Tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9X13 inch baking dish.

    Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (9)

  • Combine prepared spaghetti with sauce, Italian seasoning, eggs, butter, and Parmesan. Spread into greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.

  • Remove foil and add shredded cheddar. Cook uncovered 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Notes

  • Cheddar cheese is our favorite cheese to use in this leftover spaghetti casserole recipe.
  • You can substitute mozzarella or mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for the cheddar cheese.
  • Or any cheese that you prefer will be great.
  • If your spaghetti does not have a lot of sauce, you may need to add a little bit of water. Start with 1-2 tablespoons and then add more as needed.
  • This spaghetti recipe can be customized by adding cooked vegetables or other sauces.
  • Start by cooking the hot dish covered with foil to retain moisture.
  • Remove the cover at the end of cooking to brown the cheese for a pretty presentation.
  • Top with chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1grams | Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 324mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Did you try this recipe?Share a photo on social media and tag me @gracelikerainblog!

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Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use leftover spaghetti sauce for? ›

7 Ways to Use Up Leftover Pasta Sauce
  1. Use it in a vegetable casserole: ...
  2. Make a potato gratin: ...
  3. Use the sauce as a dip: ...
  4. Make a soup: ...
  5. Serve over polenta: ...
  6. Use as a bread topper or pizza sauce: ...
  7. Add it to other pasta dishes:
Mar 22, 2022

How do you eat leftover spaghetti? ›

If you stored the sauce and spaghetti separately, reheat the sauce on the stove over medium heat until hot. You can microwave the pasta or reheat it in boiling water for about 30 seconds. If you are eating plain leftover spaghetti you may want to toss it with a little olive oil and parmesan cheese after reheating.

How long is leftover baked spaghetti good for? ›

While dried pasta has a long shelf life in the pantry, cooked and fresh homemade pasta should be eaten somewhat quickly. Most cooked pasta only lasts in the fridge for between 3–5 days before it starts to show signs of expiration.

Is 5 day old pasta ok to eat? ›

While experts say that leftover pasta is good for up to 5 days, that number is contingent on how well you store it. If you don't use an airtight container or bag, or you don't close it correctly, the pasta will dry out and grow mold faster.

What can I eat with spaghetti sauce instead of pasta? ›

2: Make Eggplant or Zucchini Parmesan

Roast or fry some sliced eggplant, zucchini, or other vegetables. Layer slices in a dish with cheese (I suppose you could use cottage cheese like some people use in lasagna, if you wanted) and spaghetti sauce. Bake until bubbly, and you've got eggplant/zucchini Parmesan!

Can I reuse leftover sauce? ›

Sometimes they can be reused as is or with the addition of fresh herbs or an acidic element such as chopped cornichons. Sauces or gravies can be used to enrich other sauces as well, so long as the old dish and the new are not dissonant.

Can you freeze baked spaghetti leftovers? ›

Baked spaghetti makes a great freezer food after it's been baked. It's best to wrap portion sizes in foil and place them in a labeled freezer bag. To reheat from a frozen state, leave it in the foil and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or more, depending on the serving size.

Can you reheat baked spaghetti? ›

Bake It. If your pasta dish is already coated in sauce, reheating it in the oven could be the best option. Simply place your pasta (sauce and all) in an oven-safe baking dish, cover it with foil and bake at 350℉ for 15 to 20 minutes. This method offers the added benefit of making your dish a little crispy and bubbly.

Is it OK to eat cold leftover spaghetti? ›

However, because pasta is a simple carbohydrate, many people limit it in their diet. It turns out that pasta can become a healthier food by chilling and eating it as leftovers. Changing the temperature is an easy way to convert simple starches like rice and pasta into foods that are higher in fiber.

Can I eat week old spaghetti and meatballs? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can I eat pasta thats been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

Can I eat week old spaghetti sauce? ›

Saunier recommends following the FDA's Food Keeper app guidelines for jarred spaghetti sauce. She says that, in general, leftovers should be eaten, discarded, or frozen within four days, giving you plenty of time to find out what to do with the remaining contents of a bottle of Rao's.

What to do with marinara sauce besides pasta? ›

Five Brilliant Ways to Make the Most of Marinara Sauce
  1. Baked Feta-Marinara Dip. For this recipe, you'll need 1½ cups of marinara sauce. ...
  2. Spiced Shrimp with Garam Masala. Tomatoes and garlic are the foundation for many dishes around the globe. ...
  3. Quick Spicy Vegetarian Chili. ...
  4. Chicken-and-Polenta Puttanesca Melts.
Apr 12, 2021

How long is leftover jarred spaghetti sauce good for? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. How long do other jarred sauces stay fresh in the refrigerator? While pasta sauce stays fresh for about five to six days after opening, sauces that contain dairy, such as Alfredo, are best used within three or four days.

What can I eat meat sauce with instead of pasta? ›

What to Do with Leftover Meat Sauce: 34 Creative Ideas
  • Meat. • 1 Make cheesy buffalo chicken dip. ...
  • Produce. • 1 Add to a baked potato. ...
  • Refrigerated. • 1 Add it to scrambled eggs.
  • Canned Goods. • 1 Make soup.
  • Condiments. • 1 Add it to a salad as a dressing. ...
  • Pasta & Grains. • 1 Add it to rice. ...
  • Bread & Baked Goods. ...
  • Frozen.

Can I freeze leftover spaghetti sauce? ›

The answer is, “Yes! And you should!” Whether you make a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce or have leftover sauce in a jar from the store, freezing spaghetti sauce is a great way to avoid food waste, save money, and have a yummy pasta sauce ready and waiting for your next craving.

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