Picture this: In the sun-drenched summers of Tuscany, you begin to smell the aroma of fried spaghetti teasing the air around you. In the golden warmth of the setting sun, your footsteps echo on the cobblestones, and you hear a distant serenade of a musician’s accordion.

With her silver-streaked hair and a twinkle in her eyes, Nonna Lucia stands over a sizzling cast iron skillet, turning over the strands of spaghetti that crisped and curled when they met the hot oil. Each plate she serves represents more than just food; it’s a memory, a frozen moment in time, and a tribute to Italy’s rich heritage.

If you have any leftover spaghetti from other dishes, you can quickly revive it with this easy recipe – let’s start, shall we?

Tip: This is also a great way to have a comfort food meal when needed! Who knows, maybe it will even become one of your new favorite spaghetti recipes!

What You’ll Need for Fried Spaghetti

This is one of those easy pasta recipes for which you only need a few ingredients that you likely already have at home.

Simple Ingredients:

2 cups cooked normal spaghetti (leftover spaghetti works best)
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
2 garlic cloves, minced (garlic powder is ok too!)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (to garnish)

Yes, that is the full ingredient list!

How to Make the Best Fried Spaghetti in 4 Steps

Step 1: Heat high-quality extra virgin olive oil or butter in a large skillet or large frying pan.

Step 2: Sauté it with minced garlic cloves until fragrant but not browned.

Step 3: Spread the cooked spaghetti evenly in the skillet or pan using tongs or two forks. Then heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom begins to crisp.

Step 4: Season to taste, then flip the spaghetti and heat for another 2-3 minutes, or until the other side is crispy.

Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley (optional, but also the perfect way to make this authentic) – serve it hot, and enjoy!

Helpful Tips

While this recipe is a really simple and absolutely delicious way to revive leftovers, there are ways to make it even better:

Use leftover refrigerated spaghetti – It’s even better if they’ve been refrigerated for a few hours, as this allows the spaghetti to firm up and make it easier to fry.
Oil temperature is key – Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) since too hot oil will burn the spaghetti, while too cool oil will absorb the oil and become greasy.
Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil to get that authentic Italian flavor and give the spaghetti a rich taste.
Add flavors by infusing the oil for a few minutes with garlic, red pepper flakes, or herbs before adding the spaghetti.
Drain on a paper towel – after you’ve fried the spaghetti, let it drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil, this will keep it crisp and not overly greasy.

Alternatives to Fried Spaghetti Recipes

The original way just doesn’t hit it? No worries! Here are some delicious ways to make this dish make your stomach growl! This is also a great way to try out new recipes you may not have thought about!

Fried Spaghetti with Eggs

This recipe is so popular, and for good reason!

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe with eggs:

2 cups cooked spaghetti
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
3 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper, to taste
Grated cheese of choice (optional)

For this variation, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-high heat before adding the spaghetti. Then, equally distribute the beaten eggs over the spaghetti and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom is set and slightly crunchy. Once there, flip it like a pancake and cook for another 2-3 minutes before seasoning with salt & pepper a little bit and topping with shredded cheese (optional).

Options for cheese: cheddar cheese, sharp hard cheese, or mozzarella cheese

Personally, this is one of the best comfort food recipes for me!

Fried Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Just thinking about this recipe makes my mouth water – and this recipe is so easy to make!

What you’ll need:

2 cups cooked spaghetti
3 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Salt, to taste

Heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until the garlic turns golden brown. Then add the prepared spaghetti and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until certain parts become crispy. Season with salt and stir in some fresh parsley – top with parmesan cheese, and you’re done!

Fried Spaghetti Carbonara Style

Did you think that Spaghetti Carbonara was for fresh pasta only? Nope! Even leftovers will find their new calling here!

What you’ll need:

2 cups cooked spaghetti
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
2 large eggs
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
4 oz pancetta or bacon, chopped
Fresh ground black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

In contrast to the previous recipes, you begin with a bowl and whisk together some eggs and grated cheese before setting it aside. Heat the olive oil or butter and add the diced pancetta or bacon, cooking until crispy. Add the spaghetti to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the ends are crispy. Reduce the heat to low and add the egg and cheese mixture, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling, until the sauce turns creamy. Season liberally with black pepper and sprinkle with parsley, and you’re done! Have fun with your Carbonara Fried Spaghetti!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about your favorite meals? We have the answers!

Can I use fresh spaghetti instead of leftovers for fried spaghetti recipe?

Yes, however, keep in mind that it will change the texture and taste slightly. If you use fresh spaghetti, cook it as spaghetti al dente and let it chill in the fridge for at least one hour to firm it.

Can I fry other types of pasta for this recipe?

Of course! Spaghetti is just the most common one, however, you can always experiment more with other types of pasta leftovers like fettuccine, linguine, bow tie, or even penne – just adjust the frying time according to the thickness of the pasta.

How do I store leftover fried spaghetti?

After you’re done, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days and re-crisp it in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.

I don’t have olive oil, can I use a different one?

While you can use different types of oils, you won’t get that real Italian flavor, and you must consider their varying smoke points. Because olive oil has a high smoke point, try using other oils with high smoke points, such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil.

What type of sauce pairs best with fried spaghetti?

Great question! While it’s traditionally enjoyed just on its own, you can pair it with simple tomato sauce or experiment with other ones, such as:

Creamy alfredo
Spicy arrabbiata
Garlic aioli

See which one you like the most!