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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 cooked pasta is a classic in Italy and very popular with children.
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The best fried leftover spaghetti
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.
Using leftover pasta
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.
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.
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 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp 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.
How to make fried pasta
- On 1 portion of leftover pasta add 1 egg and 1 tbsp of parmesan cheese
- Mix them with a fork
- In a frying pan heat 1 tbsp of butter and 1 of olive oil
- Pour in the pasta and let it fry for a few minutes
- Turn it around like an omelette.
- You can use the pan cover and slide it back in the pan to cook the other side.
- Place on a plate and enjoy
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
Tips to make the best crunchy fried pasta
- 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.
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
Ingredients
- 3 oz left over pasta at room temperature My favourite are is leftover spaghetti with green pesto.
- 1 fresh eggs
- 3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Looking for kitchen gadget gifts?Instructions
- You can either cook 100 gr of spaghetti, or use leftovers. Make sure they are at room temperature3 oz left over pasta at room temperature
- Mix them with the egg and the Parmesan1 fresh eggs, 3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
- Warm the butter and/or the olive oil in the pan until it frizzles1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp 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
Notes
- 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.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
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!
Helen
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…
Laura
LOL, now you know
Federica Spinelli
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
Laura
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
DanM
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.
Laura
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
Helen Porter
What a simple but lovely recipe! And would be great with a green salad.
Laura
Thank you Helen, it really is