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This Fried Spaghetti is comforting, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights. The ground beef is seasoned with oregano, parsley, and basil, and it simmers in a tomato-based sauce until tender.

Your family will love the flavors of this spaghetti dish. Serve it with slices of crisp garlic bread or a fresh garden salad.

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What Is Fried Spaghetti?

The spaghetti in this dish is added to the ground beef and tomato sauce. It isn’t technically fried but all of the ingredients are combined in a skillet, topped with shredded cheese, and baked until the cheese has melted.

Ingredients You’ll Need

olive oil
onion
garlic
ground beef
dried oregano
dried parsley
dried basil
salt and pepper
tomato sauce
crushed tomato
spaghetti
parmesan cheese
mozzarella cheese
optional fresh parsley for garnish

(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)

How to Make Fried Spaghetti

Step 1: Cook the ground beef

Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
Add the ground beef, oregano, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is cooked through.
Stir in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes and cook for another 20 minutes over medium heat until slightly thickened. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the spaghetti

Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain the spaghetti, saving one ladle of the pasta water.

Step 3: Mix the spaghetti with ground beef

Place the spaghetti and the pasta water into the skillet. Stir well until combined.
Add the cooked ground beef to the pan.
Sprinkle the spaghetti with the parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Cover with a lid and cook until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with optional fresh parsley and serve.

Tips And Tricks

Feel free to use any kind of pasta. Penne, fusilli, or fettuccine are good options.
Add a pinch of cayenne or crushed pepper flakes for heat.
Only cook the pasta until it’s al dente to keep it from becoming mushy.
Make it heartier by adding sauteed mushrooms or diced zucchini.

How To Store Fried Spaghetti

Let the leftovers cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can You Freeze Fried Spaghetti?

Yes. Transfer the cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Frozen leftovers should be thawed in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How To Reheat Fried Spaghetti

Leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave.

In the oven: Place the leftovers in a casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot.
On the stovetop: Add the leftovers to a skillet and heat over medium-low until hot. If the mixture seems dry, add a few splashes of water or stock.
In the microwave: Place the leftovers on a microwave-safe plate and cover. Heat at reduced power until hot.

Do You Boil The Pasta Before Frying?

Yes. The noodles must be cooked until al dente before adding them to the meat sauce. Be sure to drain the noodles well and reserve a ladle of pasta water to add to the meat sauce.

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