What to do with leftover noodles?

Question

I made spaghetti last night and have at least a 5qt. dutch oven full of noodles. What can I make with them? I'm no gourmet chef by any means so I need EASY meals. I was thinking about just melting some shredded cheese and topping the noodles with that for easy mac and cheese or some store-bought alfredo sauce and grilled chicken strips. What else can I do....remember EASY!

Answer 1

Ok, easy.

1 - Buy a bag of frozen veggies, cook them and then add to the noodles. With either butter, or an alfredo suace.

2- Chop up tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, onions, green peppers , cheese and salami and coat with italian salad dressing. Serve chilled.

3 - Cook hamburger meat, top the noodle with hamburger meat and cheese.

Answer 2

Melted cheese wouldn't do for that "easy mac and cheese". Without making the actual sauce and JUST melting cheese, the cheese would start to thicken as it cools.... not so tasty. If you don't want to make homemade, then I suggest you give the store-bought alfredo a try with the grilled chicken strips.

I've been known to add olive oil and crushed fresh garlic then top with a nice quality (rather than that stuff in the cardboard can) Romano or parmesan cheese, with a few herbs added (oregano, parsley, basil). You could add your grilled chicken in with that too, or some shrimp that you brown up first then add, or even some steamed broccoli (or the broccoli with the chicken or shrimp. But even without the fish or chicken, add a salad, and it's not such a bad meal, although the meat/fish makes it better.

You could do a cold pasta dish as well. It's more like a summer pasta salad. Add walnuts, cut up apples (skin on), celery, thinly sliced red onion, cucumber, sharp cheese, then tuna or grilled salmon tossed in with it. Dressing should be something interesting, or simple. Like a balsamic vinegar and olive oil, honey mustard, homemade Russian (mayo, ketchup, little sugar, 1-2 tbsp. cider vinegar), etc.

Answer 3

Your ideas sound good. Also why not make a pot of chicken noodle soup or serve some as a side dish with melted or browned butter or make a fritatta, an Italian omelet with noodles cheese and eggs.

Answer 4

The person before me took my answer; lo mein is a great way to eat up left over spaghetti. You can make left over noodles taste just like fresh pasta by throwing them in a pot of boiling water for abiout 20 seconds and draining. They get instantly refreshed!

Answer 5

mac and cheese is always good, or just mix it with some steamed veggies (what ever you like), grilled chicken and spices. Or make chicken noodle soup, chicken broth (can used canned), so carrots and celery (if you like), chicken and noodles! Also can make a noodle salad with veggies, cheese, noodles (cut them up if its spaghetti), can add any meat you like and whatever salad dressing you like. Hope that helps!

Answer 6

Personally, I've never cared for frozen pasta in any way, shape or form. I always cook my pasta al dente and whatever is left over I put in a zip lock bag with enough water to cover the pasta. When I'm ready to use it again I put it in a strainer and run extremely hot water over the pasta and VIOLA, it's ready for that yummy sauce.

Answer 7

You could also toss them with jarred red sauce, put them in a baking dish, top with mozzarella and sliced black olives and bake. That's how I use up leftover spaghetti. And the leftovers from the bake, you can freeze.

Answer 8

SPAGHETTI SALAD

1 lb. thin spaghetti
1 lg. green pepper, diced
2 lg. tomatoes, diced
1 onion, diced
1 can black pitted olives, sliced
1 (18 oz.) bottle Viva Italian dressing
1 jar McCormick salad supreme seasoning (do not substitute this seasoning)

Cook spaghetti; drain well and rinse with cold water. Mix spaghetti and vegetables. Add olives and salad dressing.

Answer 9

make a garlic sauce and add shrimp and pour over your leftover spaghetti. You have shrimp scampi. Serve with a toss salad and garlic bread now your meal is complete.

Answer 10

lo mein,
In a skillet, sautee some vegetables such as shredded carrot, bell pepper, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, baby corn, snow peas, etc. in olive oil/butter
add noodles and some sesame oil or rice wine vinegar. season with salt, pepper, garlic and soy sauce.