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.
Comment below and tell me what you would add to this recipe to make it your own! Check the comments for other great suggestions.
Do you ever find yourself with a container of leftover spaghetti in your fridge, unsure of what to do with it?
You’re not alone.
According to a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council, American households waste about one-third of the food they buy.
But with this delicious leftover spaghetti bake recipe, you can save money and reduce waste by turning your leftovers into a new meal.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of using leftovers, provide tips on how to customize your casserole, and share the key to success for making the perfect leftover spaghetti casserole.
By the end, you’ll be ready to whip up this easy and budget-friendly recipe, and you’ll never let your leftovers go to waste again.
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.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Leftover Spaghetti Bake Recipe
With a few simple steps, you can transform your leftover spaghetti into a mouthwatering casserole that’ll have your whole family coming back for seconds.
But why stop there?
There are plenty of reasons why you’ll love this leftover spaghetti bake recipe.
Firstly, it’s a budget-friendly option that helps you avoid food waste.
Instead of throwing away uneaten spaghetti, you can use it to create a whole new meal that’s just as delicious.
Plus, since you’re using ingredients that you likely already have on hand, it makes for an easy and convenient dinner option.
But what really sets this recipe apart is its versatility. Y
ou can customize the ingredients to suit your preferences or use whatever you have in your fridge.
From leftover veggies to different cheeses, you can mix and match to create a unique flavor profile every time you make it.
🔑 Key to Success #1 – Choose Your Own Adventure By Adding Extras
There are endless possibilities when it comes to adding ingredients to this dish.
You could include some diced veggies like bell pepper or zucchini, or mix in some cooked ground beef or sausage.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheeses or spices either.
The key is to use what you have on hand and make it work for you.
By taking the time to get creative with your leftovers, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also reducing waste and helping the environment.
Plus, you’ll never be bored with your meals again.
So next time you have leftover spaghetti, give this recipe a try and see how delicious leftovers can be.
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.
🔑 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.
To make sure that your leftover spaghetti bake stays moist and delicious, it’s important to bake it covered.
This will help to retain the heat and moisture, preventing the dish from drying out in the oven.
So before you pop it in the oven, cover your baking dish with aluminum foil or a lid.
This simple step will make all the difference in the final result, ensuring that your leftover spaghetti bake is just as tasty as the day before.
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.
🔑 Key to Success #3 – Sprinkle on the Cheese
For the perfect finishing touch to your leftover spaghetti bake, don’t forget to add some cheese and let it brown in the oven.
This step is key to achieving that irresistible crispy texture on top of the dish.
The cheese also adds a savory flavor that perfectly complements the spaghetti and any other ingredients you’ve included.
Plus, this simple step is an easy way to elevate the overall presentation and make it look like a restaurant-worthy dish.
With these tips under your belt, you’ll be able to turn your leftovers into a delicious meal that you’ll be excited to eat all over again.
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!
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.
😋 Perfect Answer for What to Do With Leftover Spaghetti
Whether you’re feeding a large family or hosting a dinner party, this leftover spaghetti bake is sure to impress.
It’s comforting and flavorful and makes for a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.
So why settle for boring leftovers when you can turn them into something truly special?
Give this leftover spaghetti bake recipe a try and watch as your family asks for seconds (and maybe even thirds)!
Leftover spaghetti bake is the ultimate solution to turn your leftovers into a delicious meal.
It’s important to save money by utilizing ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, and this recipe is a fantastic way to do just that.
With a few simple tips, you can customize this dish to your liking and make it your own adventure.
Bake it covered to retain the heat and moisture, and then finish it off by sprinkling on some cheese and browning it in the oven uncovered.
This recipe is sure to become a household favorite, and the best part is that it’s highly customizable!
So, don’t throw away your leftover spaghetti the next time you have some in your fridge.
Instead, use it to make this amazing recipe and make the most out of your leftovers.
As they say, waste not, want not!
📌 Get the Printable Recipe for Leftover Spaghetti Casserole
Save this Leftover Spaghetti Bake to your favorite Easy Meals Board!
Leftover Spaghetti Bake
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
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.
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.
- 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.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 417Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 324mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 19g
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