Leftover Pasta Recipes (2024)

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Have you ever made too much pasta before? I know I sure have! For some reason, I make too much pasta or not enough. There are many Leftover Pasta Recipes to make so the pasta doesn’t go to waste.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (1)

If you are like me, it’s easy to cook too much pasta for a meal. I never can seem to get the amount needed just right. But before you throw out the extra pasta, check out these great uses for that leftover cooked pasta.

After these ideas, you’ll be making more pasta on purpose!

Table of Contents

  • Can you Freeze Leftover Pasta?
  • Leftover Pasta Recipes
  • 1. Parmesan Pasta
  • 2. Baked Mac and Cheese
  • 3. Pasta Frittata
  • Turn leftover pasta into a pasta salad
  • 1. Greek Pasta Salad
  • 2. BLT Pasta Salad
  • 3. Classic Italian Pasta Salad
  • 4. Tuna Pasta Salad
  • 5. Pasta Salad
  • 6. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Add it to a casserole!
  • 1. Chicken Noodle Casserole
  • 2. Pizza Pasta Casserole
  • 3. Tuna Casserole
  • 4. Million Dollar Spaghetti
  • 5. Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole
  • Stir leftover pasta into a soup.
  • 1. Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
  • 2. Steak Soup
  • 3. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
  • 4. Pasta Fagioli Soup
  • 5. Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup
  • Use it in a crock pot meal.
  • 1. Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
  • 2. Crock Pot Chiken Fajita Pasta
  • 3. Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta
  • 4. Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
  • 5. Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
  • 6. Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein
  • More great Leftover Ideas

Can you Freeze Leftover Pasta?

Did you know that you can freeze pasta? This is an easy way to use leftover pasta. Just freeze it! Learn how to freeze pasta and check how easy it is to do with just a little bit of olive oil.

Freezing pasta is a great way to save time and money for future meals. I love freezing pasta once it has cooled to room temperature so that I will always have some on hand for a quick side dish or my favorite casserole meals.

Leftover Pasta Recipes

I love turning leftover pasta into another meal or side dish for my family. Check out some of my favorite recipes to use with leftover pasta.

1. Parmesan Pasta

Parmesan pasta is one of my favorite side dishes and we make it all the time with leftover spaghetti. With leftover noodles, this easy side dish recipe can be made in under 3 minutes. All you have to do is season with salt and pepper to taste and it’s ready to serve.

Feel free to use different type of pasta.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (2)

Parmesan Pasta

You and your family will love this Parmesan Pasta side dish that is easy to make and needs only 4 ingredients, but tastes “fancy”.

See the Recipe

2. Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese is easy to make with leftover pasta. This easy Baked mac and cheese recipe is so creamy and cheesy. Plus using leftover pasta makes this recipe come together even quicker because no boiling water is needed. You can even add in leftover ham or chopped broccoli.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (3)

Baked Mac and Cheese

This easyBaked Mac and Cheese Recipeis so creamy and cheesy. Plus, the delicious bread crumb topping makes this Southern mac and cheese simply amazing.

See the Recipe

3. Pasta Frittata

You can also make an easy pasta frittata recipe that you can serve for breakfast or lunch. This leftover pasta frittata can be made in no time at all and is delicious too.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (4)

Pasta Frittata

Thisleftover pasta frittatamakes terrific use of last night's spaghetti leftovers—with sauce or without sauce—along with the easy additions of eggs and Parmesan cheese.

See the Recipe

Turn leftover pasta into a pasta salad

Leftover pasta is great to use in a delicious pasta salad recipe. Here are a few of our favorite recipes that we love to make when we have leftover pasta in the house.

1. Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek Pasta Salad is so easy and frugal to prepare. Tons of veggies and pasta with the best flavor tossed together in a large bowl make this pasta salad recipe a family favorite.Loaded with fresh vegetables and mozzarella.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (5)

Greek Pasta Salad

This easy Greek Pasta Salad Recipe can really feed a crowd on a budget. All of the veggies, feta, and dressing make this so delicious.

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2. BLT Pasta Salad

BLT Pasta Salad is always a crowd-pleaser. There is something about that creamy ranch dressing combined with the bacon and veggies that makes this delicious. Add in chopped onion for added flavor.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (6)

BLT Pasta Salad

There is something about that creamy ranch dressing combined with the bacon and veggies that makes this BLT Pasta Salad so delicious.

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3. Classic Italian Pasta Salad

Classic Italian Pasta Salad loaded with olives, tomatoes, cheese and more! Easy Italian pasta salad has the best flavor and will be a hit with the entire family. This classic pasta salad is made with pantry ingredients.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (7)

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

This budget-friendly and easy-to-fix Classic Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is loaded with yummy veggies, pasta, Italian dressing, and more!

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4. Tuna Pasta Salad

Easy Tuna Pasta Salad is a toss-and-go recipe full of protein, veggies, and more. You will love the creamy pasta and delicious tuna for a quick meal.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (8)

Tuna Pasta Salad

It is so simple to make and the best comfort food. The creamy dressing brings everything together and I never get tired of this. It is a must-try!

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5. Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad recipe is the most simple pasta salad recipe ever and it feeds a crowd. The best pasta salad recipe is so easy and a family favorite in my house.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (9)

Pasta Salad

This recipe is amazing and truly is the most simple pasta salad recipe ever! It comes together quickly and is budget-friendly.

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6. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

If you love ranch, you’ll love this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! No need to buy store-bought mixes when it is so easy to make this bacon ranch pasta salad recipe. This is delicious with tons of ranch, bacon, and more.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (10)

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with tons of ranch flavor with bacon, cheese, and more, is a must-try and only takes 15 minutes to prepare!

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Add it to a casserole!

Casseroles are fun to make but they take longer to make when you have to boil pasta for the dish. Now, plan ahead and make extra pasta and plan for that casserole. Here are a few of our favorite casserole dishes that we love to make with leftover pasta. With these recipes, all you have to do is bake at 350 degrees F and dinner is done. Waiting to preheat the oven to 350 is the hardest part!

1. Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole is easy and the best comfort food dish. Creamy chicken and noodles with cheese make this a casserole everyone will go crazy over.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (11)

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Tender chicken and cream of chicken soup give this easy Chicken Noodle Casserole its delicious flavor.

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2. Pizza Pasta Casserole

Pizza Pasta Casserole is a family pleaser! An Easy casserole recipe that my family requests all the time. If you love pizza, you will love this easy pizza pasta casserole. Nothing is better than pizza mixed in with pasta with tomato sauce or marinara sauce.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (12)

Pizza Pasta Casserole

This easy and freezer-friendly Pizza Pasta Casserole is packed with flavor and is perfect for jazzing up pizza night!

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3. Tuna Casserole

This easy tuna casserole recipe does not disappoint. It is so creamy and the topping with Italian-style bread crumbs is crunchy and delicious.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (13)

Tuna Casserole

Give this Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe a try. It is so creamy and the topping is crunchy and delicious.

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4. Million Dollar Spaghetti

Million dollar spaghetti recipehas so much delicious cheese, ground Italian sausage, and tons of flavor for the best meal. This savory meal comes together in minutes but is special enough for company. This recipe is similar to a spaghetti pie and we have even served with a side of meatballs.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (14)

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Prepare a special meal in minutes with this delicious and cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipethat has so much cheese, ground Italian sausage, and tons of flavor.

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5. Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

This casserole is a family favorite. We have even made it with penne pasta for a delicious casserole recipe.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (15)

Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole Recipe has everything you need for a great meal. The creamy chicken and pasta come together for the best comfort food.

See the Recipe

Stir leftover pasta into a soup.

Leftover pasta is also great to stir into one of your favorite soups. Here are some of our favorite soup recipes that are great with leftover pasta mixed in!

1. Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup Recipecomes together for a flavor-packed meal with very little effort and is perfect for any type of leftover pasta. Make this soup to satisfy your craving for a warm bowl of delicious soup and let the crockpot do all the work.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (16)

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup is one of our favorite types of soup and it is so easy to make and is made with so many different vegetables.

See the Recipe

2. Steak Soup

This Steak Soup Recipeis the perfect soup to leave everyone satisfied. This soup is hearty and delicious and sure to be a hit.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (17)

Steak Soup

This Steak Soup is so filling and packed with flavor. Each bite is full of delicious chunks of tender steak and noodles. Yum!

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3. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Enjoythis Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipein just 20 minutes any day of the week thanks to this easy recipe. If you are craving soup and need a super fast and delicious recipe. This soup mixture comes together easily with simple steps.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (18)

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

All you need is cooked chicken or a rotisserie and shred it to make Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup in 20 minutes. Not only does it save time and money but it tastes amazing.

See the Recipe

4. Pasta Fagioli Soup

Pasta fagioli soup recipeis so filling and delicious. This copycat pasta fagioli soup comes together quickly and makes an easy meal any night of the week. It’s a great way to stretch your meat budget too!

Leftover Pasta Recipes (19)

Pasta Fagioli Soup

This copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup is super quick and easy. Plus, so filling and delicious!

See the Recipe

5. Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup

Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup Recipeis hearty, filling, and healthy. This meal is sure to be a hit with the entire family.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (20)

Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup

This Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup is so simple to make and perfect for busy weeknights as your slow cooker will do all the work. Even the kids will enjoy this meal.

See the Recipe

Use it in a crock pot meal.

We love crockpot dinners, but when you need to boil pasta to complete the meal, it ruins the “quickness” of having dinner ready when you get home.

We use the leftover pasta from previous dinners and serve it with our crockpot meals. Check out some of our favorite crock pot recipes that you can use with your leftover pasta.

1. Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe is easy to make and packed with the traditional flavors of chicken parmesan made in a hot pan. Everything you need for a delicious dinner including tender chicken and flavorful pasta sauce is in the slow cooker!

Leftover Pasta Recipes (21)

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

The chicken is cooked in a tomato sauce and seasoning to add so much flavor. Then the pasta is added to Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta for an amazing meal idea.

See the Recipe

2. Crock Pot Chiken Fajita Pasta

Crock pot chicken fajita pasta recipeis a one-pot meal that has everything you need for a delicious dinner. If you love fajitas, this creamy pasta will be a hit and the slow cooker does all of the work!

Leftover Pasta Recipes (22)

Crock Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

Lots of tender chicken, veggies, and seasoning make this Crock Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta taste like fajitas but in a simple pasta dish. So easy!

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3. Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Enjoy creamy and deliciousCrock pot olive garden chicken alfredo sauce pastaat home and save a ton of money. Let the slow cooker do all the work and serve your family a delicious pasta meal.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (23)

Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta

The chicken is so tender from being slow-cooked and the alfredo sauce is rich and creamy in this Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta recipe.

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4. Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatoresounds fancy but it is so simple to make in the slow cooker. If you are looking for a one-pot meal that has the best chicken, mushroom, and tomato sauce, this recipe is a must-try.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (24)

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Try this Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe where the tomato sauce is so hearty and delicious with tons of tender chicken and mushrooms.

See the Recipe

5. Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipeis creamy and delicious with a little bit of heat. The Cajun flavor really jazzes up this chicken dish for an easy meal that your family will love. Served topped with parmesan cheese.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (25)

Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a new favorite and it is so easy. The dish has the perfect amount of heat but not so much that the kids can’t enjoy it.

See the Recipe

6. Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein

Our family loves Chinese takeout but now we can makeCrock Pot Chicken Chow Mein Recipeat home and save time and money. This recipe tastes amazing and has the perfect blend of flavors with soy sauce. If you love stir fry and fried noodles, you are going to love this easy chow mein recipe!

Leftover Pasta Recipes (26)

Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein

All of the veggies blend with the chicken, noodles, and delicious sauce for a tasty Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein.

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No matter what you do, it is easy to find ways to use leftover pasta without your family knowing that you are eating leftovers.

Leftover Pasta Recipes (27)

More great Leftover Ideas

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About the Author

Leftover Pasta Recipes (36)

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I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Leftover Pasta Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to reuse cooked pasta? ›

The easiest way to enjoy leftover pasta is to toss it into cold dishes. Strand pasta, such as spaghetti or fettuccine, make great cold sesame noodles. Just puree some peanut butter, soy sauce, a nob of ginger, maybe a little garlic with some neutral flavored oil, such as organic canola, and toss with your noodles.

How to jazz up boring pasta? ›

Simply cook chopped garlic cloves in a bit of warm olive oil (not hot!), and add cooked spaghetti (reserve some of the cooking water to add later if necessary). Stir to combine and finish off with a handful of fresh chopped parsley, and grated parmesan cheese. Easy peasy and so delicious!

How long does cooked pasta last in the fridge? ›

How to Store Cooked Pasta in the Refrigerator. Allow cooked pasta to cool slightly. It can then be stored in airtight containers (from $5, The Container Store) in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Why is leftover pasta better for you? ›

By the next day, some of the natural starches in the food will have transformed into healthier versions, called resistant starches, which have been linked to a range of health benefits including lower blood sugar, better gut health and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer.

Can I freeze cooked pasta? ›

You can! Just make sure to cool the spaghetti completely before freezing, transfer properly in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label it with the date. Can you freeze cooked pasta with sauce? You can, but if possible, it is best to freeze the sauce and pasta separately for best texture.

Can I boil pasta and use it later? ›

You can cook your noodles hours before serving time. All you need is some olive oil, a large Ziploc bag, and your favorite pasta.

What can I put in pasta if I don't have anything? ›

Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles. Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal.

How do you pimp up pasta? ›

Garnish your pasta with a grating of lemon zest, some crunchy breadcrumbs or even a crumble of crispy bacon to add texture and taste. Herb it up. Experiment with lots of fresh herbs in your pasta dishes.

What can I add to pasta to make it taste better? ›

These delicious flavorings will bring beneficial plant compounds to your meal.
  1. Basil. Basil is a flavorful herb and a mainstay in many Italian dishes, including pasta. ...
  2. Oregano. Oregano is a culinary herb known for its peppery and pungent taste. ...
  3. Rosemary. ...
  4. Red pepper flakes. ...
  5. Garlic powder.
Apr 11, 2022

When should you not eat leftover pasta? ›

Store-bought, fresh pasta is only good for 1 to 3 days, according to Healthline, while homemade fresh pasta is good for 4 to 5 days. However, once cooked, most pasta spoils in about 3 to 5 days. This includes stuffed pastas like tortellini and ravioli, as well as gluten-free, lentil-based, and bean-based pastas.

How to tell if pasta has gone bad? ›

If your refrigerated pasta has begun to smell, then it's time to throw it out. If it's slimy, if it's gooey, or if it's become discoloured and just doesn't look right, then don't risk it, dump it!

Can you eat pasta thats been in the fridge for 6 days? ›

Cooked pasta will last for up to five days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What is healthier, rice or pasta or potatoes? ›

Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Potatoes are also high in fiber, helping to satiate hunger and regulate blood sugar.

Does pasta raise blood pressure? ›

Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure.

Which is healthier, pasta or bread? ›

Is bread or pasta more fattening? A single serving of refined pasta has approximately 70% more carbohydrates than a single slice of white bread. Neither bread nor pasta is more fattening than the other. Pasta and bread are both low in fat, each containing about 1 gram of fat.

Can you reboil leftover pasta? ›

When you're ready to reheat your pasta, simply boil a pot of water, dunk the noodles in for about 30-60 seconds, drain and then you can put the pasta and cold sauce directly back into the hot pot to mix them together and heat the sauce.

Can over cooked pasta be saved? ›

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.

How do you cook pasta and save for later? ›

Pasta can be par-boiled until “al-dente”. Then, drain it, coat in a little olive oil, and seal it in zip-lock bags (restaurants do this in portions). It can stay in the fridge for a couple of days. You can save a little pasta water separately if you'll need it for when you make your sauce.

How do you not waste leftover pasta? ›

To use it in your next meal make a pasta frittata! Mix the pasta with eggs and any extra add-ins you like and then cook it until it is set. Try this Leek and Spaghetti Frittata or these Mini Pasta Frittatas. Depending on the season, turn your leftover pasta into a salad or put it into a soup.

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