Easy Fried Spaghetti Recipe (Crispy & Cheesy Leftover Pasta!)

Turn leftover spaghetti into crispy, cheesy goodness with this easy fried spaghetti recipe. Made in 30 minutes with pantry staples and a few simple steps, comfort food has never tasted so good!

THE BEST FRIED SPAGHETTI

This fried spaghetti recipe is the ultimate way to use up leftover pasta! It's an elevated version of the regular spaghetti dinner, with slightly crispy noodles covered in a pan-fried tomato sauce with melted parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top. How delicious does that sound?

What's great about this easy spaghetti recipe is that it's just as quick to make as usual spaghetti. So you won't be sacrificing any time by gaining all of this deliciousness.

It's ready in about 30 minutes and makes four generous servings of fried spaghetti, giving you the perfect family meal that everyone will love! While you're finishing up the spaghetti, you can whip up this garlic bread and meatball casserole to go with it for the ultimate Italian dinner!

• Olive oil- or any oil for frying.
• Onion- one small one, chopped.
• Garlic- three cloves, finely minced.
• Ground beef- I used an 80/20 split.
• Dried oregano, parsley, and basil- for a fresh herb flavor.
• Red pepper flakes- for a little spice.
• Salt and pepper- a pinch of each to taste.
• Tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes- for the sauce.
• Spaghetti- leftover spaghetti or any leftover pasta works great.
• Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese- for the cheesy topping.
• Fresh parsley- for garnish.

Now, you'll want to stock up on some of these ingredients. You can use the majority of them to make this lasagna fritta or Texas chicken spaghetti next! 

Or you can use the ingredients to make two more of my favorite spaghetti recipes, this spaghetti casserole with a crispy, cheesy topping and this classic million dollar spaghetti casserole.

This fried spaghetti recipe combines pan-frying and baking to create a unique dish. I highly recommend using a cast-iron skillet for this so you can transfer it straight from the stovetop to the oven. That said, if you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can also use a regular skillet for the sauce and transfer everything to an oven-safe dish to bake. Now, let's make some cheesy fried spaghetti!

STEP 1: MAKE THE SAUCE

First things first, let's make the sauce. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or frying pan, moving the oil around to cover the surface. Make sure you use an oven mitt to touch the skillet's handle - it will get hot as the skillet heats up! 

Next, add your chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until translucent. Then, add your ground beef, oregano, parsley, basil, red pepper, and salt to the skillet. Mix everything around a few times and cook until the ground beef is browned and cooked through.

Now, pour the tomato sauce and the crushed tomatoes into the skillet and mix to incorporate everything.  Lastly, cook the sauce on medium heat for around 20 minutes to let it thicken. Then, set it aside while we get started on the pasta. 

STEP 2: PREPARE THE PASTA

First, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Next, boil water in a pot on your stovetop - cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package.

Then when the spaghetti is done, set aside a ladle of the water before you drain your pasta. Next, add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet of sauce, pour in the ladle of pasta water, and mix everything until well combined. If you're not using a cast iron skillet, transfer the sauce, pasta water, and spaghetti to an oven-safe baking dish instead. 

STEP 3: BAKING AND FINISHING TOUCHES

Before baking, sprinkle the parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta. Then transfer the skillet or baking dish into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbling. Once your spaghetti is ready, take it out of the oven, sprinkle it with some fresh parsley, and serve hot. Enjoy! 

If you have leftover spaghetti, transfer everything to an airtight container, and it will last up to five days in the fridge. To keep it for longer, you can store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for about two months.

The best way to reheat the leftovers is back on the stovetop. Place everything in a frying pan with a little water. Make sure to cover the pan and cook on low for 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the pasta is heated through. For a quicker method, microwave the pasta in 30-second increments until warm. It just won't have that addictive crispy texture. 

How Do You Cook Spaghetti In a Frying Pan?

Cooking spaghetti in a frying pan is easy! Just cook the spaghetti noodles slightly, then add them to a large frying pan with a little olive oil and cook for a few minutes, stirring the noodles frequently.

Do I have to boil the pasta before frying it?

Yes. The pasta needs to be cooked before you are able to fry it, even if you are using fresh spaghetti noodles. This recipe is actually perfect for using up leftovers. If you're starting from scratch, cook your spaghetti until al dente, drain it well, and let it cool before frying. Trying to fry uncooked pasta won’t work—it'll stay hard and never crisp properly.

Can I fry spaghetti with sauce already on it?

Absolutely. In fact, that’s what makes it even better! The sauce caramelizes a bit in the pan and gives the noodles that delicious crispy texture and flavor. Just make sure the sauce isn't too watery, or it'll steam instead of crisp.

What’s the best pan to use?

A non-stick skillet or cast iron pan is perfect. You want something that gets hot and distributes heat evenly. If you’re looking for that golden crust on the bottom, cast iron is king.

Can You Fry Pasta In Oil?

Yes. Frying pasta in oil will give the noodles a slightly crisp exterior with still a little chew for a texture that is like no other. It's so good! That is how you take regular spaghetti to a whole new level.

Can I use butter instead of oil?

Yes! Butter adds richness to the pasta and helps get those crispy edges. You can also use butter and oil. Just substitute half the oil in this recipe for butter.

More Pasta Recipes

If you liked how easy and delicious this dinner recipe was, I think you'll like these easy pasta dishes just as much:

• Rasta Pasta With Jerk Chicken
• Gigi Hadid Pasta
• Crack chicken pasta
• Shrimp pasta
• Spinach pasta
• Lobster pasta
• Baked spaghetti with cream cheese