Fried Spaghetti (Made From Leftovers!)
Fried spaghetti is a delicious and affordable way to use up leftover spaghetti. It's quick, easy, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters!
Recipe Makes: 4 servings
Approximate Cost: $5.27 (approximately $1.32 per serving)
Equipment
- large non-stick skiller (with lid)
- silicone spatula (or large wooden spoon)
Ingredients
For the Fried Spaghetti
- 2 tablespooons salted butter
- 4 cups cooked spaghetti (without sauce)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (approximately 2 large cloves)
- 1 24-ounce jar spaghetti sauce (or 5 cups leftover spaghetti with sauce)
- crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (at room temperature)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan (at room temperature)
Toppings
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (at room temperature)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan (at room temperature)
- chopped fresh parsley (or chopped fresh basil, optional)
Instructions
- Place skillet on stovetop over medium heat. When pan is warm, add 2 tablespooons salted butter and continue heating pan until butter is melted.
- Add 4 cups cooked spaghetti to skillet and stir to coat in melted better. Cook spaghetti until edges begin to crisp slightly, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic to skillet and stir to incorporate. Sauté garlic and spaghetti noodles, stirring constantly, approximately 30 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.
- Add 1 24-ounce jar spaghetti sauce and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to incorporate, then bring sauce to gentle simmer.
- When sauce begins to simmer, add ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated parmesan to pan. Stir until cheeses are fully incorporated and melted completely.
- Spread fried spaghetti into one even layer. Top spaghetti with remaining ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated parmesan, sprinkling cheeses evenly over top of pasta.
- Place lid on skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese on top of spaghetti is melted.
- Once cheese has melted, uncover pan and portion spaghetti into serving bowls as desired. Top with chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional) and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Spaghetti: If you don't have leftover spaghetti noodles on hand, you can cook some specifically for this recipe. Boil 8 ounces of dry spaghetti noodles in heavily salted water until just al dente, then drain the pasta of all excess water. Follow instructions for fried spaghetti as written.
Recipe costs provided are approximate. Actual cost per recipe & serving will vary by location, store, brand, etc. Approximate cost shown does not include costs for any optional ingredients.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 363kcal | Protein: 17g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 1118mg | Potassium: 609mg | Total Carbs: 55g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Net Carbs: 50g | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 219mg