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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.

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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!

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.

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”.
Parmesan Pasta

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.

Baked Mac and Cheese
This easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is so creamy and cheesy. Plus, the delicious bread crumb topping makes this Southern mac and cheese simply amazing.
Baked Mac and Cheese

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.

Pasta Frittata
This leftover pasta frittata makes terrific use of last night's spaghetti leftovers—with sauce or without sauce—along with the easy additions of eggs and Parmesan cheese.
Pasta Frittata

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.

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.
Greek Pasta Salad

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.

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.
BLT Pasta Salad

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.

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!
Classic Italian Pasta Salad

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.

Tuna pasta salad recipe 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.
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!
Tuna Pasta Salad

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.

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

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.

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!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

4. Million Dollar Spaghetti

Million dollar spaghetti recipe has 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.

A serving of cheesy baked spaghetti is being lifted from a white casserole dish with a spatula. The million dollar spaghetti recipe features melted cheese and is garnished with chopped parsley. Fresh tomatoes and herbs are visible in the background.
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Prepare a special meal in minutes with this delicious and cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe that has so much cheese, ground Italian sausage, and tons of flavor.
Million Dollar Spaghetti

5. Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

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

square image of chicken spaghetti on a forrk
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Easy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe has everything you need for a great meal. The creamy chicken and pasta come together for the best comfort food.
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

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 Recipe comes 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.

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.
Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

2. Steak Soup

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

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!
Steak Soup

3. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Enjoy this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe in 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.

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.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

4. Pasta Fagioli Soup

Pasta fagioli soup recipe is 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!

A white bowl filled with hearty minestrone soup, featuring ingredients like macaroni pasta, beans, ground meat, diced tomatoes, and a garnish of shredded cheese and chopped parsley. The Pasta Fagioli Soup sits invitingly as a second bowl is partially visible in the background.
Pasta Fagioli Soup
This copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup is super quick and easy. Plus, so filling and delicious!
Pasta Fagioli Soup

5. Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup

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

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.
Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup

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!

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.
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

2. Crock Pot Chiken Fajita Pasta

Crock pot chicken fajita pasta recipe is 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!

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!
Crock Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

3. Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta

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

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.
Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta

4. Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore sounds 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.

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.
Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

5. Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe is 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.

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.
Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

6. Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein

Our family loves Chinese takeout but now we can make Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein Recipe at 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!

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.
Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein

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

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

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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