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Home » Recipes » Pasta with meat or seafood

Pasta a Frittata: Italian Fried Pasta

Published: Nov 3, 2018 · Modified: Jan 11, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Recipe
This is not even a recipe; fried pasta is what Italian do when we have pasta leftover and don t want to cook anything. It is very popular with children. #yourguardianchef #pasta #Italianfood #italianrecipe
This is not even a recipe; fried pasta is what Italian do when we have pasta leftover and don t want to cook anything. It is very popular with children. #yourguardianchef #pasta #Italianfood #italianrecipe

Fried pasta is not even a recipe; it is what we, Italians, do when we have pasta leftover and don't want to cook anything. Fried spaghetti are perfect for a lazy day or a picnic, find out how to make it crispy.

Fried pasta in a serving dish
Jump to:
  • The best fried spaghetti
  • Using leftover
  • Fry any shape and type
  • Leftover vs freshly cooked pasta
  • Ingredients
  • How to make it
  • When to make it
  • How to make crispy fried pasta
  • More pasta recipes
  • More of my favourite fried recipe
  • 📋Pasta a Frittata: Italian Fried Pasta

The best fried spaghetti

My favorite is fried spaghetti as they come out thin and crispy.

When we were children, my mother used to make it for us when they had guests coming for dinner.

She was sure we would get out of their way, eating it in our room in front of a cartoon.

How I like my fried spaghetti, thin and crispy

Using leftover

Fried pasta is easy and quick to do and you can fry any leftover pasta.

However, it will have a different consistency depending on the sauce the pasta was seasoned.

If your leftover pasta has been seasoned with tomatoes sauce, you will not have crunchy fried pasta.

The tomato sauce will keep the pasta moist and it will have a firm consistency.

My favorite pasta a frittata is made by frying leftover spaghetti or linguine with pesto: crunchy and full of cheese.

Fry any shape and type

You can fry any shape and type of pasta, it doesn't have to be spaghetti.

Of course, spaghetti will hold better when you turn it, but you can also fry penne, rigatoni, bow tie, fusilli....any pasta.

Different type of fried pasta, fusilli with broccoli

Leftover vs freshly cooked pasta

If I don't have any leftover pasta and feel like having some fried pasta, I have to cook the pasta at least an hour before.

Making pasta a frittata with freshly cooked pasta is not the same thing.

Before you mix the pasta with the egg, the pasta has to be a room temperature otherwise the egg will cook with the steam from the pasta.

If you don't have time to wait, run the pasta under cold water.

1 egg mixed with 3 cups of pasta to make a crispy crust

Ingredients

To make fried pasta you only need leftover pasta, some Parmesan cheese, an egg, butter, or olive oil.

I use either olive oil or butter. Butter will give it a buttery taste but if you cook it for too long it can burn.

As I like my fried pasta very crunchy, but I like the buttery taste, I use 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

If you don't have eggs, you can fry your pasta without the egg, however, the pasta will remain loose and not compact into a wheel.

Crunchy fried spaghetti

How to make it

  1. On 1 portion of leftover pasta add 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese
  2. Mix them with a fork
  3. In a frying pan heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 of olive oil
  4. Pour in the pasta and let it fry for a few minutes
  5. Turn it around like an omelette.
  6. You can use the pan cover and slide it back in the pan to cook the other side.
  7. Place on a plate and enjoy
Making fried leftover spaghetti

When to make it

Fried pasta can be done in only 3 minutes and it can be served warm or at room temperature.

If you don't have anything in the fridge and have a busy day ahead, I make sure I have some extra pasta to fry for next day's lunch.

It is so fast to make that I sometimes make it in the morning for my boys' school lunch. Add some salad and they have a complete lunch.

Fried pasta is also a great option for a picnic. Cut it in slices and serve them with a napkin.

The outside crust makes it firm and you can eat them with your hands.

It is delicious also when it is cold

slice of a crunchy fried spaghetti on a plate

How to make crispy fried pasta

The secret for the crispy crust is to use the right amount of pasta per egg and the addition of parmesan cheese.

These are the most important tips to follow:

  • Best if the pasta is from the day before and it is completely cold.
  • Any type of pasta can be fried
  • Use only 1 egg per 3 to 4 cups of pasta (an Italian portion of pasta)
  • Do not use pasta seasoned with tomato sauce, it will not make a cruncy crust
  • Make a thin pasta layer, fry only one portion at the time
  • Use enough butter or oil
  • Do not cover the pan while the pasta is frying, nor after. The steam from the warm pasta will soften the crust
  • Keep the pasta long enough on the heat
  • If you don't want to use the egg, you can still stir fry the pasta by turning it regularly with a wooden spoon.
pasta a frittata picking up a slice

More pasta recipes

If you are looking for more pasta to fry, you can check the category: Pasta

Also check the recipes below:

  • Red Pesto Pasta Sauce
  • The Classic Pesto Recipe Pasta Trofie
  • Pasta Caprese Salad
  • Zucchini Recipe Pasta And Ricotta
  • Black Truffle Recipe Pasta
  • Simple Tomato Sauce Recipe

More of my favourite fried recipe

If you are craving fried food, you may want to check out these other recipes:

  • Deep Fried Eggplant Balls
  • Fried Zucchini Flowers Recipe
  • Fried Pizza
  • Classic Veal Milanese
  • Arancini
  • Rissole à la Dauphine
  • Homemade chicken nuggets recipe

If you are making this Fried Pasta, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.

Pasta a frittata Italian fried pasta

📋Pasta a Frittata: Italian Fried Pasta

Fried pasta is not even a recipe; it is what we, Italians, do when we have pasta leftover and don't want to cook anything. Perfect for a lazy day or a picnic, find out how to make it crispy.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 5 minutes
⏲️Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 1 people
Print Rate SaveSaved!
Author: Laura Tobin

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 oz left over pasta at room temperature My favourite are is leftover spaghetti with green pesto.
  • 1 fresh eggs
  • 3 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
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Equipment

  • All-Clad Fry Pan
  • Grater
  • Wooden Turner Set
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Instructions

  • You can either cook 100 gr of spaghetti, or use leftovers. Make sure they are at room temperature
    3 oz left over pasta at room temperature
  • Mix them with the egg and the Parmesan
    1 fresh eggs, 3 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
  • Warm the butter and/or the olive oil in the pan until it frizzles
    1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Pour the pasta into the pan, spread evenly, and fry
  • Fry for few minutes
  • When it becomes brown and crunchy (like in the picture) turn it around with the help of the pan cover and slide it back in the pan to cook the other side
  • Fry the other side for a few more minutes
  • When done slide it on a plate
  • Enjoy warm or a t room temperature

Video

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Notes

Tips and tricks:
  • You can boil the pasta and fry it, but you will have better results if the pasta is from the day before and it is completely cold.
  • Any type of pasta can be fried, and you can make it crunchy and thin or thick and soft.
  • The secret for a crunchy fried pasta is to use the right amount of pasta per egg and the addition of parmesan cheese.
  • If you don't want to use the egg, you can still stir fry the pasta by turning it regularly with a wooden spoon.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 720IU | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 1.9mg
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More Pasta with meat or seafood

  • How To Cook Pasta Like An Italian
  • Pasta With Squid Ink Cuttlefish
  • Spaghetti Alla Bottarga Di Muggine - Mullet Roe
  • Homemade Pasta Nests - Spaghetti Muffins
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

    June 28, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    My mom used to make this. It was such a treat and I think of it as comfort food! Thanks for reminding me of this recipe. It looks fabulous!

    Reply
  2. Helen

    March 24, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    Such a simple idea. I hate to think how much pasta I must have thrown away over the years as I didn’t know what to do with it...

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 24, 2019 at 2:03 pm

      LOL, now you know

      Reply
      • Federica Spinelli

        January 02, 2020 at 10:39 am

        Make that at least once a week but you do need more than one egg. Of course depends of how much pasta you have. If cooked right even the pasta with tomato sauce can make a crunchy frittata

        Reply
        • Laura

          January 03, 2020 at 6:25 am

          If I could I would also make it every day. In Naples to make a crunchier frittata with tomato sauce, they coat it with breadcrumbs

          Reply
  3. DanM

    April 02, 2020 at 9:59 pm

    When I make fried pasta it always sticks to the pan! I use a heavy cast iron pan. I don't cook in non-stick pans.

    Reply
    • Laura

      April 03, 2020 at 6:29 am

      Hello Dan, why don't you try to put some breadcrumbs on the bottom of the pan before you put in the pasta? Let me know, it should work

      Reply
  4. Helen Porter

    May 17, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    5 stars
    What a simple but lovely recipe! And would be great with a green salad.

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 17, 2020 at 5:53 pm

      Thank you Helen, it really is

      Reply

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