A plate of spaghetti and meatballs is the epitome of comfort food, but spaghetti can be used in so many other applications! These recipes feature the versatile pasta in dishes ranging from homestyle favorites to more novel endeavors.
16 Unexpected Ways to Use Up That Box of Spaghetti
Updated on Mar. 01, 2024
1/16
Spinach-Beef Spaghetti Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With its angel hair pasta crust, this cheesy ground beef, tomato and spinach pie is always a hit when I serve it. Each neat slice has layers of pasta, cream cheese filling and spinach topping. —Carol Hicks
Pensacola, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 377 calories, 21g fat (11g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
2/16
Loaded Chicken Carbonara Cups
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Spaghetti cupcakes with a chicken carbonara twist make for a tasty, fun family dinner. Whole wheat pasta and reduced-fat ingredients make these quick and easy little pasta cakes nutritional winners, too. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
2 pasta cups: 266 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 553mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
3/16
Asian Tofu Noodle Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ginger, garlic and sherry jazz up this soup loaded with veggies and noodles. We like to accent ours with peanuts and green onions. —Diana Rios, Lytle, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 339 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1961mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
4/16
Panzanella Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings (1 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
We take classic panzanella ingredients like ripe tomatoes, peppers and olives and toss them with hot noodles for a hearty pasta dish. My kids especially like the crunchy croutons. —Ashley Pierce, Brantford, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 297 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 739mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
5/16
Baked Spaghetti
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 526 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 881mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
6/16
Spaghetti Tacos
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son watches a show where the kids eat spaghetti tacos. As a joke, I made him his own, and now these tacos are here to stay. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 522 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 939mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 26g protein.
7/16
Gingered Spaghetti Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love this chilled chicken salad brimming with colorful veggies. Make it meatless by omitting the chicken and tossing in more edamame. —Cindy Heinbaugh, Aurora, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 355 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 431mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 7g fiber), 26g protein.
8/16
Saucy Thai Beef Noodles
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This stir-fry has been a family favorite for some time. I like to double the recipe and add extra vegetables. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 536 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein.
9/16
Florentine Spaghetti Bake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This hearty sausage entree will appeal to just about everyone. My daughter serves it often to her hardworking family on their wheat ranch in Montana. —Lorraine Martin, Lincoln, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 446 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 1172mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.
10/16
Southwestern Spaghetti
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chili powder and cumin give a mild Mexican flavor to this colorful one-skillet supper. With chunks of fresh zucchini, it's a nice change of pace from typical spaghetti dishes. —Beth Coffee, Hartford City, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 340 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
11/16
North Carolina Shrimp Saute
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Seafood is very popular in my state. I altered this recipe several times and now it's truly a family favorite. —Teresa Hildreth, Stoneville, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 481 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 171mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 34g protein.
12/16
Chicken Tetrazzini
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 casseroles (4 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
A good friend shared a version of this recipe with me 35 years ago. I pay it forward by bringing the second casserole to friends when they are unable to cook. —Helen McPhee, Savoy, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 576 calories, 30g fat (17g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein.
13/16
Peas Please Asian Noodles
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Asian-inspired pasta salad doubles up on the peas for some serious crunch and sweetness. —Catherine Cassidy, Editor, Taste Recipes
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 264 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 740mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
14/16
Beef Lo Mein
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like a good stir-fry, this dish will definitely satisfy. I discovered the recipe at an international luncheon, and it's now a favorite go-to meal. —Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 358 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
15/16
Asian Spaghetti
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love this recipe with its bright, crisp-tender snow peas and carrots, but you could easily substitute any veggies you have on hand. —Anne Smithson, Cary, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 274 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 521mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein.
16/16
One-Pot Chilighetti
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Grab your stockpot for my meal-in-one chili and spaghetti. I’ve got a large family, and this hearty pasta takes care of everybody. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups (calculated without sour cream and cheese): 508 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 903mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 9g fiber), 32g protein.
