Give your leftover noodles a delicious makeover with this quick, one-pan fried spaghetti recipe that turns simple pasta into crispy perfection in just 20 minutes.
For more quick weeknight wins, try my Homemade Beefaroni or Pizza Soup next!
Ready for a kitchen hack that turns humble leftovers into a total showstopper? This easy fried spaghetti is my ultimate "I don't want to cook" dinner.
And since I always seem to cook more spaghetti than needed for other dishes, I make it quite often.
It's all about those golden, crispy noodle bits that get caramelized in butter. Everyone will love it, including the kids!
Why you'll love this fried spaghetti recipe
- It's the best way to breathe new life into that container of plain spaghetti sitting in your fridge.
- Frying the spaghetti in butter gives it an incredible texture with crispy edges you just can't get from a standard bowl of pasta.
- It's the ultimate comfort food loaded with melted cheese and smoky from the bacon.
What you'll need
Butter - Use salted butter to set the right savory base for the spaghetti.
Cooked spaghetti - Cold, day-old noodles work best here! They hold their shape and crisp up much better than freshly boiled ones.
Pasta sauce - Your favorite jarred marinara works perfectly here.
Tomato paste - This is my secret for a concentrated, rich flavor that clings to every noodle.
Italian herbs - The ready made mix is a time-saver but any combination of dried basil, dried oregano and rosemary works.
Mixed grated cheese - I love a blend of cheddar for sharpness and mozzarella for the pull. Provolone and Parmesan are also great options.
Cooked bacon - For that delicious touch of smokiness!
Pro tip
The secret to the perfect "fry" is patience! Once you add the spaghetti to the butter, let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two before tossing to allow those golden-brown crusts to form on the bottom.
How to make fried spaghetti
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foaming.
Toss the cooked spaghetti in the butter for several minutes until the noodles become lightly crisped and golden.
Stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian herbs and red chili flakes, simmering the mixture until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
Fold in the cooked bacon and grated cheese, then season with salt and pepper before serving.
Substitutions and variations
- If you want even more heat, you can stir in some hot sauce right at the end.
- Bulk it up a bit by adding sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.
- You can actually make this with just any kind of leftover cooked pasta, like fettuccine or linguine, for example.
Helpful tips
- Make sure you don't overcrowd the pan. If necessary, fry the spaghetti in batches, otherwise they'll steam rather than fry.
- If you are using freshly cooked pasta, drain it very well and let it air dry for a few minutes so it doesn't turn mushy in the butter.
- Since bacon, butter and cheese all carry a fair amount of salt, always taste a noodle before adding any extra salt at the end.
What to serve with leftover fried spaghetti
This dish is quite hearty, so I love serving it with something fresh! A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette cuts right through the richness.
If you're feeling extra indulgent, some garlic ciabatta bread is perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce.
Leftovers and storage
- Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For the best results, reheat in a dry non-stick skillet over medium heat. This helps re-crisp those edges! Avoid the microwave if you can, as it can make the noodles a bit soft.
- I don't recommend freezing this dish, as the texture of the fried noodles changes once thawed.
More quick dinner recipes
If you've tried this fried spaghetti recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.
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Easy Fried Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cups cooked spaghetti
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ cup mixed grated cheese
- ½ cup cooked bacon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to foam.3 tablespoons butter
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss it frequently in the butter for 3 to 5 minutes until the noodles are lightly crisped and golden.4 cups cooked spaghetti
- Pour in the pasta sauce and stir in the tomato paste and Italian herbs and red chili flakes.24 ounce jar pasta sauce1 tablespoon tomato paste1 teaspoon Italian herbs¼ tsp red chili flakes
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and is clinging well to the pasta.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and stir gently until melted and incorporated. Add the cooked bacon bit and toss well to combine.½ cup mixed grated cheese½ cup cooked bacon
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste before serving hot.Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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