This Retro Pasta Classic That Transforms Leftover Spaghetti Deserves A Comeback

Pasta is a comforting menu staple that can be confidently served but tricky to portion. Pots of leftover spaghetti aren't always as delicious the next day, but our ancestors had the right idea to make use of every noodle. Spaghetti pie cropped up in the United States in the early 1900s and was made simply with spaghetti, eggs, and cheese, but plenty of recipe variations have evolved since then. This easy-to-assemble dish requires little culinary prowess and can turn last night's dinner into a meal of delicious beauty. After all, baked pasta is an international delight for good reason.

Spaghetti noodles can be mixed with meat, vegetables, spices, and cheese and placed into a prepared pan to bake until the exterior is golden and the mixture is bubbling. The creation is then removed from the oven and topped with extra cheese and a sprinkling of garden herbs for a final bake before it is left to rest and be sliced to serve. Though spaghetti pie recipes can take over an hour from start to finish, this is the kind of dish that is ideal for meal prep Sundays. A slice of spaghetti pie served with a simple green salad or a scoop of veggies can be the convenient combo to power you throughout the week. 

Experiment with recipe variations by adding canned cream of chicken or mushroom soup to the spaghetti prior to baking or create individual pie portions using muffin tins. Borrow inspiration from your favorite pasta dishes and bake creamy Alfredo-inspired spaghetti pie versions or replicate delicious bowls of marinara in pie form. Leftover spaghetti can also be used to make a spaghetti pie that is intended for the breakfast table by centering the recipe on eggs, ham, and cheese. Instead of using the oven to bake your creations, you can also pop your noodle pies into the air fryer for an extra crunchy finish.

The spaghetti pie recipes you make can be served in between slices of buttered, toasted garlic bread for a comforting lunch or topped with Italian meatballs for a dinner that will have your family reaching for second helpings. Old can be gold, and just because you haven't had spaghetti pie in years doesn't mean this comforting recipe isn't due for a modern resurgence.