What can be made from leftover pasta? Quick recipes

There are many different ways to make sure you don’t go hungry while eating leftover spaghetti or macaroni. From making delicious soups out of it to simply reheating it, there are plenty of options. Here are 8 simple pasta recipes that will help you do just that.

Jump to:

• 1. Pizza Pasta Casserole
• 2. Spaghetti Salad
• 3. Italian Fried Pasta
• 4. Spaghetti Pie
• 5. Mac and Cheese Balls
• 6. Leftover Spaghetti Casserole
• 7. Baked Ziti
• 8. Chicken Enchilada Pasta

1. Pizza Pasta Casserole

This is an easy meal to make, and it tastes delicious. You can use whatever type of pasta you like. I used penne because it works well with the sauce. If you don't want to cook the noodles, just buy some already-cooked ones.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 jar Marina's tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl combine the remaining ingredients except for the cream cheese. Add the drained pasta and mix together thoroughly.
4. Pour into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Top with the cream cheese and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve immediately.

2. Spaghetti Salad

You can add any kind of salad dressing you like to this recipe. It's great as a side dish or even as a main course if you're having company over.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti (or other pasta)
• ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped red onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

Preparation: 

1. Wash the spaghetti in cold water. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. 
2. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions. When done, drain and rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
3. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the peppers and onions until tender. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. In a large serving bowl toss together the cooled vegetables, tomatoes, and olives. Toss in the cooked spaghetti and sprinkle with the feta cheese.

This recipe uses canned Marina's tomato sauce, but you could easily substitute homemade sauce if you prefer. Just add some extra water to thin out the mixture. If you lack some ingredients, try to order products or even dishes that would be delivered fast to your door. It's much cheaper than going to the grocery store each time you run out of something! You'll want to serve this salad cold, so make sure to chill it overnight in the fridge.

3. Italian Fried Pasta

This recipe combines pasta, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and olive oil. You'll find that you'll want to make this again and again. It's one of those recipes that tastes better the next day because the flavors really meld together.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

4. Spaghetti Pie

Spaghetti pie is one of those dishes that you just know how to do. You don't even really need to read about it because you've done it before. But there are some things you might want to know about making spaghetti pie. First off, it doesn't take much effort to put together. Second, it's a great way to use up leftover pasta. And third, it's delicious.

This recipe uses spaghetti noodles, but you could easily substitute linguine or fettuccine. If you're looking for something different, try adding meatballs or chicken into the mix.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup milk
• 3 cups cooked spaghetti
• 4 eggs
• ½ teaspoon salt

5. Mac and Cheese Balls

Cheese balls are one of those things you either love or hate. If you fall into the former camp, you'll want to try these cheesy mac n' cheese balls. You won't regret it.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup dry breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoon butter

6. Leftover Spaghetti Casserole

If you have any leftovers from your spaghetti casserole, then you should definitely give them another chance. This dish is perfect for using up leftovers. The best part is that it's super quick and easy to throw together.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (16 oz) rotini pasta
• 1 jar (12 oz) Marina's tomato sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon parsley flakes

Preparation:

1. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the box. Drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
2. Combine all other ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Mix well.
3. Add mixture to the pasta and stir gently to coat evenly.
4. Refrigerate at least two hours before serving.

7. Baked Ziti

It's also a great way to use leftover pasta. Try this recipe out if you haven't already.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked ziti pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or more if desired)
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup Marina's tomato sauce

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 x 10-inch baking dish.
2. Bring water to boil in a pot. Stir in the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Let cool slightly.
3. While the pasta is cooling, combine cheeses, spices, and marinara sauce in a small bowl. Pour over pasta and toss to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

There are a lot of variations of these dish. As Baked ziti is a classic comfort food, you can try our recipe or any other. You will be delighted anyway.

8. Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Chicken enchiladas are a favorite among many people. They're simple to make and they taste amazing. This recipe takes advantage of leftover pasta by combining it with chicken.

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces of penne pasta
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• ½ cup salsa verde
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• ½ cup diced green onions
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Allow resting while preparing the remaining ingredients.
2. In the same skillet, add salsa verde and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and allow to thicken for about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Return the skillet to high heat. Add pasta and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken back to the skillet along with salsa verde and sour cream. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Top with cilantro, green onions, and additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve warm.

Pasta dishes are some of the most versatile meals around. You can easily turn leftover pasta into something new. Whether you want to try one of these or not, we hope you enjoyed our collection of leftover pasta recipes.