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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.
Fried pasta is easy and quick to do and you can fry any cooked pasta.
But be aware, if your leftover pasta has been seasoned with tomatoes sauce, you will not have a crunchy fried pasta.
My favourite pasta a frittata is made by frying leftover spaghetti or linguine with pesto crunchy and full of cheese.
How to make leftover 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.
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 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.
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 for 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 (affiliate link)(affiliate link)left over pasta at room temperature My favourite are is leftover spaghetti with green pesto.
- 1 (affiliate link)(affiliate link)fresh eggs
- 3 tbsp (affiliate link)(affiliate link)freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp (affiliate link)(affiliate link)butter
- 1 tbsp (affiliate link)(affiliate link)olive oil
Equipment
- (affiliate link)(affiliate link)All-Clad Fry Pan
- (affiliate link)(affiliate link)Grater
- (affiliate link)(affiliate link)Wooden Turner Set
Instructions
- You can either cook 100 gr of spaghetti, or use leftovers. Even if seasoned it is fine.
- Make sure they are at room temperature
- Mix them with the egg and the Parmesan
- Fry in a pan with butter
- 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
- 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