12 Easy Leftover Spaghetti Noodle Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you upgrade leftover pasta? ›

Vegetables are another great add-in: Try a handful of spinach, chopped radicchio, diced bell peppers, or any other vegetable that tastes good when it is just barely cooked—in other words, something you would be happy to eat raw, but that will also taste good slightly warmed in pasta.

Of course, you could use the leftover noodles for their original purpose: making a pasta dish. Or, you can try something new with these fun recipes that give leftover spaghetti noodles a whole new life.

Most cooked pasta only lasts in the fridge for between 3–5 days before it starts to show signs of expiration. Eating expired pasta comes with risks similar to those associated with eating other expired foods, such as foodborne illness.

The best way to reheat noodles that haven't been tossed with sauce is to place them in a metal strainer and dip them into a pot of boiling water until they're warmed through, about 30 seconds. This will not only keep them from drying out—the quick hit of intense heat will prevent them from getting mushy, too.

Yes! Freezing fresh or cooked pasta by itself is the best way to do it. Cook your dry pasta al dente (which should be your plan anytime you cook pasta, especially if it is going into a hot sauce that will inevitably keep the cooking process going). Let it cool completely.

Drain the pasta in a colander over the sink. Now it's ready to toss through your favourite sauce – it's best to do this in the pan, adding splashes of cooking water and mixing as you go until your sauce coats the pasta and is the perfect consistency.

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What does adding milk to spaghetti do? ›

It sounds unconventional to use milk in a meaty red sauce, but upon further investigation, it makes total sense why Italians swear by it. According to our Food Director Amira, not only does milk add a rich flavour to the bolognese, but it also “helps cut through the acidity of the tomatoes and red wine”.

If the spaghetti has been stored on its own, it can be consumed at the 5-day mark even if the texture is slightly off. Cooked pasta lasts longer when not stored with sauce. If it is mixed with sauce, I recommend throwing it away after 5 days.

However, because pasta is a simple carbohydrate, many people limit it in their diet. It turns out that pasta can become a healthier food by chilling and eating it as leftovers. Changing the temperature is an easy way to convert simple starches like rice and pasta into foods that are higher in fiber.

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

All you need to rescue your noodles is a bit of another Italian staple: olive oil. The method is as simple as it gets. Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add your overcooked pasta. Gently sauté over medium heat for a few minutes until the pasta's texture has firmed up.

Add 1 stick of unsalted butter to cooked pasta; toss well to coat. Mix in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with more grated cheese and minced flat-leaf parsley.