Leftover Spaghetti Bake

Say goodbye to food waste with this delicious leftover spaghetti bake. By combining your leftover spaghetti and marinara sauce with melted cheese and Italian herbs and spices, you'll create a brand-new meal that's comfort food at its finest. The noodles become tender and the melty cheese turns crispy, bubbly, and golden brown on top. Whether it's a family dinner or a large gathering, this leftover pasta recipe will impress.

We've all been there—wondering what to do with that leftover spaghetti sitting in the fridge. Well, wonder no more! Transforming those leftovers into a hearty and satisfying casserole is not only budget-friendly but also incredibly flavorful.

Now you've got no excuse to throw away yesterday's meal when this leftover spaghetti bake recipe is so easy.

You can even customize it to your liking. Add vegetables, meat, different types of cheese, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Leftover Spaghetti Casserole is the Best
• 🧀 Ingredient Notes
• 🥘 Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How to Make Leftover Spaghetti Bake
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🍽 What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🍝 More Pasta Recipes
• Leftover Spaghetti Bake

⭐️ Why This Leftover Spaghetti Casserole is the Best

• Baked leftover pasta made with tender spaghetti noodles and crispy cheesy bits on top; baked until golden brown, melted, and bubbly
• Easy way to transform leftover spaghetti noodles into a new meal
• Save money by not wasting your leftovers
• Customize it to your liking. Add vegetables, protein, different types of cheese and herbs, etc. Have fun with it!
• Whether for a family dinner or feeding a crowd, baked leftover spaghetti is a hearty meal everyone will enjoy.

🧀 Ingredient Notes

• Leftover spaghetti noodles (cooked) - Aim for 3 to 6 servings of leftover pasta noodles. Any amount in this range will work best.
• Pasta sauce - Use store-bought pasta sauce, or try my homemade marinara sauce or cherry tomato sauce.
• Eggs - Adds moisture and helps to bind the casserole together.
• Italian seasoning, garlic powder, & onion powder - A blend of Italian herbs and spices that add zippy flavor.
• Parmesan cheese - Provides umami flavor to our casserole
• Red pepper flakes - This is optional but I love a spicy kick with my pasta.
• Mozzarella cheese - Adds rich creaminess and golden bubbly goodness. Aim to use fresh mozzarella that you shred yourself, as the pre-shredded stuff has preservatives that prevent it from melting well.
• Fresh basil or parsley - Adds fresh herby flavor and a pop of color

🥘 Variations & Substitutions

• Add veggies: Use up your leftover vegetables by sauteing them (if raw) and adding to your pasta bake (or use canned or frozen vegetables). Use 1-2 cups of cooked vegetables and add to your spaghetti mixture before baking.
• Add cooked meat or meatballs: Add 1 cup of cooked ground beef, pork or meatballs to make an even heartier dish.
• Noodles. Substitute your favorite leftover long or short pasta noodles, like fettuccine, penne, rotini, etc.
• Make lasagna casserole: Add ½ cup of ricotta cheese to make a richer and creamier lasagna-like casserole.

🔪 How to Make Leftover Spaghetti Bake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, use tongs or a large spoon to combine the leftover spaghetti noodles, pasta sauce, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using), making sure to coat the noodles well.

Spread into prepared baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and add grated mozzarella cheese. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• How to freeze: After your spaghetti bake has completely cooled, wrap individual slices in foil and place in a large freezer-safe plastic bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in fridge overnight.
• How to reheat: You can reheat in the microwave, or cover spaghetti bake with foil and warm in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until heated through.
• Bake covered, then uncovered. It's important to bake the first 30 minutes covered with foil to prevent it from drying out. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to create a golden, bubbly, and cheesy crust on top.
• Avoid pre-shredded cheese. For optimal melting, make sure that you buy whole mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and grate it yourself. Because the pre-shredded cheeses have preservatives, they don't melt very well.
• Make ahead instructions: Assemble your spaghetti casserole up to 24 hours ahead of time. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to bake. You may need to add another 5 minutes to the baking time.
• Customize it to your liking. Add veggies, meat, use a different cheese, etc. The possibilities are endless!
• Aim for 3-6 servings of leftover pasta. Anywhere in this range will work best for making this recipe.

🍽 What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti

I recommend sticking with Italian flavors when deciding what to serve with your spaghetti bake. Here are some suggestions:

Pair it with a refreshing side salad, like Gorgonzola salad

For a heartier meal, serve it with garlic bread or homemade focaccia

Add extra vegetables to your meal by serving it with roasted carrots

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🍝 More Pasta Recipes

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