What Can You Make With Leftover Spaghetti Sauce? 21 Ideas

There can never be too much spaghetti sauce, right? As a result, nine times out of ten, we create more spaghetti sauce than is required. That’s when it strikes you! You invested time, money, and effort on that sauce, therefore it cannot go to waste! The issue then becomes, what do you do with leftover spaghetti sauce?

You may make filled eggplants, tortellini soup, chicken Parmigiana, tuna and zucchini mini lasagnas, tomato risotto pie, Thai fish curry, and more creative and tasty recipes with your spaghetti sauce.

Now that I’ve given you some ideas for what you can do with that beautiful sauce from last night’s spaghetti meal, let me show you how a little ingenuity and some added ingredients can transform a dish into something new. After reading the suggestions below, I’m sure you’ll be looking for leftover spaghetti sauce on purpose.

What to do With Leftover Sauce? 21 Ideas

Did you realize that leftover spaghetti sauce tastes much better the next day? All of the herbs and spices in it will integrate with the tomato, resulting in a better sauce the next day. Let me offer you some suggestions on what to do with that beautiful remaining sauce.

Stuffed Eggplant

You’ll just need your favorite vegetables (or whatever veggies you have on hand), leftover spaghetti sauce, bechamel sauce, sausage, mozzarella, and eggplant to prepare this recipe. If you choose, you may make the dish vegetarian by omitting the meat.

Begin by slicing the eggplant in half and scooping out the insides. Chop the bits you removed and save them for the vegetable filling. Season your eggplant with salt and set it aside to rest.

Cook your onions and garlic in olive oil in a skillet till golden, then add the vegetables. If you’re adding meat, start with that and then go on to the veggies. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. When the veggies are nearly done (remember, they will continue to cook in the oven), add the remaining sauce and bechamel.

Pat the eggplant dry, fill it with the vegetable mixture, top with mozzarella, and bake for 25 minutes at 390 F. Serve hot with a green salad.

Tortellini Soup 

Tortellini soup is an easy recipe that is excellent for a rainy day! And just seven ingredients are required (including any leftover sauce). Begin by heating a skillet with olive oil, minced garlic, finely sliced onions, and chili flakes. Pour in your spaghetti sauce and broth (vegetable or chicken). Allow to boil before adding and cooking the tortellini according to package directions.

When done, finish with heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. It just takes twenty minutes.

Chicken Parmigiana 

This Chicken Parmigiana couldn’t be simpler! Cook and rest your breaded chicken breasts. Pour the remaining sauce onto an oven-safe dish, place the chicken on top, and top with mozzarella (I use a full 8 oz. ball) and parmesan. Toss for 3-4 minutes in the oven to melt the cheese, and you’re done!

Peas with Poached Eggs

Peas with Poached Eggs are definitely something you’ll pass over, but trust me, once you taste them, you won’t forget them. Add the onion edges to the heated olive oil, followed by the remaining sauce and peas (fresh or frozen). Season with salt and pepper and let it boil for 5 to 7 minutes, adding water if necessary.

Make few holes with a spoon for your uncooked eggs and poach them for 5 minutes with the lid covered.

Tuna and Zucchini Mini Lasagnas

Begin by combining the tuna and the leftover spaghetti sauce. Spray a muffin pan with vegetable oil and place a zucchini slice in each hole. Sprinkle with mozzarella and top with a tablespoon of tuna and sauce. Rep the procedure.

Cook for 20 minutes at 390°F and enjoy this nutritious snack.

Meatball Casserole 

Layer the cooked meatballs on top of the leftover spaghetti sauce in a casserole dish. Cover with your preferred cheese and bake until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with parsley and serve over spaghetti, bread, or even by itself (I won’t judge).

Tomato Risotto Tart

Another fave of mine! While the ragu sauce is cooking, make a tomato risotto using the remaining spaghetti sauce. Line an oven-safe bowl with parchment paper, then add half of the rice, the ragu, and the mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Cover with the leftover risotto and bake until dry (about 15-20 minutes).

Chicken/Shrimp Curry

Cut the onions, bell peppers, and chile into thin slices, then mince the garlic and ginger. Fry in one tablespoon olive oil until the onions and pepper are tender. Allow to cook cubed chicken or shrimp. Pour in an equal amount of leftover spaghetti sauce and coconut milk. Allow for a 10-minute simmer on low heat. Serve with lime and basmati rice.

Baked Beans

Fry onions, garlic, and fresh chiles in olive oil and paprika. Blend in a food processor with some roasted peppers and any remaining sauce. Return to the pan and bring to a boil. Allow beans and cooked pancetta (if used) to boil for 5 minutes longer.

Season with salt and pepper, top with fresh rosemary leaves, and bake for 30 minutes. Serve with toasted bread and a glass of white wine.

Lasagna Skillet 

This lasagna skillet is probably the reason you’ll never cook a true lasagna again. It’s simple to create and delightful to eat.

Fry your chopped onions and garlic, then add your minced beef and fry it to perfection, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and oregano. Allow to boil after adding your leftover sauce and some chicken broth. Cook for 10 minutes after adding your pasta (which may be broken lasagna sheets or any other kind of pasta you have on hand). Add some mozzarella and you’re good to go.

Thai Salmon Curry

In a pan with coconut oil, sear your seasoned fish. Set aside the fish. To cook, add your finely chopped garlic, onions, and bell peppers to the pan. Pour in the remaining sauce and veggie broth. Allow to cook with some chopped kale. Pour in the coconut milk and cook for around 10-15 minutes. Return the fish to the pan and serve with fresh basil and rice.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

What should I do with the remaining spaghetti sauce and chicken? Buffalo wings!

Coat your chicken wings in a mixture of leftover spaghetti sauce, spicy sauce (in the same proportions as before), and a spoonful of honey. Bake for 40 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and you’re done. It would be difficult to make it easier.

Shrimp Bake

In an oven-safe dish, combine sliced yellow pepper, red onion, zucchini, broccoli, chile, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the oven and stir in the remaining sauce and uncooked shrimp (peeled and butterflied). Return to the oven for a further 10 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes and capers on top.

Roasted Vegetable Casserole 

Begin by browning the garlic and onions in heated olive oil. Allow the eggplants, peppers, and mushrooms to simmer. Toss in your leftover spaghetti sauce, cover with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and place in an oven-safe dish. Cover with cubed goat cheese and breadcrumbs and bake at 450 F for 30 minutes, or until the top is crispy.

Pizza 

Pizza is certainly the first item that springs to mind, although it is not the most imaginative. Prepare your pizza dough and form it into the desired shape. Spread your remaining sauce on top, then top with your toppings and a generous amount of mozzarella (I usually rip a fresh mozzarella ball apart for added taste), and finish with a sprinkling of rosemary. Bake for 20-25 minutes and sprinkle with olive oil once done.

Butter Chicken

The first step is to prepare the chicken. I like to cook mine on the grill to add a smokey taste to the meal. Melt some butter in a casserole dish and add chopped onions, garam masala, chili powder, finely minced ginger and onion, and one cinnamon stick. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once cooked, stir in the remaining spaghetti sauce, water, and heavy cream. Allow the prepared chicken to boil for 10-15 minutes. Serve with jasmine rice and the magical ingredient butter.

Dip for Cheese Sticks

Is there a simple way to use up leftover spaghetti sauce? Serve with chili flakes and oregano as a dip for your Cheese Sticks.

Creamy Spicy Spaghetti 

You may not have intended to utilize your leftover spaghetti sauce to create additional spaghetti, but this meal is stunning.

Fry your garlic in olive oil in a skillet, then add little chile oil. Add your spaghetti sauce, a splash of pasta water, and salt to taste. Allow it to cook for 3 minutes. Mix egg yolks, parmesan cheese, and black pepper on the side. To the sauce, add your cooked pasta and the egg mixture. If required, add additional pasta water to make it creamier.

Meatloaf Glaze

Meatloaf is already a beautiful meal, but it is transformed into paradise when glazed. Simply follow these instructions to make a next-level glaze with your leftover spaghetti sauce: Cook your meatloaf in a dish with two oranges and a full clove of garlic, each sliced in half.

Remove the oranges and garlic from the oven after 25-30 minutes.

Squeeze the oranges to get the juice. Take caution since they will be quite hot. Remove the skin off the garlic and smash it. Bring the mixture to a boil in a skillet, then add one tablespoon of hoisin sauce and your leftover spaghetti sauce. Allow to simmer.

Glaze your meatloaf with this delectable mixture and bake for 10 minutes longer.

Mashed Potato Pie

Mashed Potato Pie is another one of my all-time favorite comfort meals. Mashed potatoes, a filling, breadcrumbs, and one egg are all you need. But how does this connect to the remaining spaghetti sauce? It’s simple; you’ll utilize it for the filling! You may use it to make a ragu, a salmon and herb sauce, or, the simplest of all, combine it with tuna!

Cover the bottom of an oven-proof casserole dish with half of your mashed potatoes. Cover with the remaining mashed potatoes and the reserved sauce filling. Glaze with egg wash (egg yolk with a splash of water), then coat with breadcrumbs. Cook for 20-25 minutes in the oven!

 Nachos Toppings

This dish may be prepared with or without meat. I’ll share the one with meat, but you may leave it out of your nacho toppings if you choose.

To begin, heat olive oil in a skillet and add minced meat and chopped onions. When the meat is brown, add spices (salt, pepper, and minced garlic) and your leftover spaghetti sauce, along with a splash of water (for a creamier sauce). Cook for another 2-3 minutes after adding the butter beans.

Place the nachos on a baking sheet, then top with the beef and bean sauce and a liberal quantity of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt. Serve with pico de gallo, cilantro, guacamole, and sour cream, and share with your guests.

How Long Does Leftover Spaghetti Sauce Last?

Leftover Spaghetti Sauce may be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and frozen for up to 4 months. So, if you’re still unsure what to do with leftover spaghetti sauce, just freeze it!