It happens to the best of us. We boil a pot of spaghetti, stew a pot of tomato sauce, eat, refrigerate, heat and eat again.
Even though I prefer only a spoonful of sauce to my gigantic mound of pasta, everyone else I feed likes to drown their stuff in sauce. This means I always end up with that notorious Tupperware container full of leftover spaghetti noodles. I admit to having thrown away many servings of perfectly fine spaghetti, and each time, a mini version of my mother appears on my shoulder and wags her finger at me.
My conscience (and my mini-mother) got the better of me, and now I've come up with a repertoire of things to do with leftover spaghetti. Tuck these Top 5 tips away in your noodle (like how I formed that pun?), and not only will you reduce waste, you'll never go hungry again.
5. Toss with butter or olive oil and sprinkle with herbs.
Dried herbs and butter or olive oil are usually pantry staples, so why not whip up something quick, easy, and delicious? Reheat the spaghetti in a pot or microwave, toss with melted butter and basil, oregano, or parsley Extra points if you've got fresh herbs. Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top for a simple vegetarian pasta dish. Or throw in some bacon, chicken, or shrimp for more protein.
4. Stir-fry noodles with garlic, egg, and soy sauce.
Last night, you had Italian. Tonight, you can have Chinese. Mince a garlic clove and using a wok, saute the garlic in a tablespoon or two of oil. Add the leftover spaghetti and stir-fry to heat thoroughly. Toss with soy sauce and chili pepper flakes to taste. Add a scrambled egg for protein.