Description
This Quick Leftover Spaghetti Recipe transforms cooked spaghetti and simple pantry ingredients into a flavorful, satisfying meal in just 20 minutes. Combining sautéed onions, crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic oregano, the pasta is finished with melted cheese for a comforting dish perfect for using up leftovers.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb cooked spaghetti
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes
Meat
- 3 oz bacon
Oils & Fats
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (or Kosher salt, more to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
Dairy
- 1 cup grated cheese
Instructions
- Chop Bacon and Onion: Finely chop the onion and bacon (3 oz). Set them aside to prepare for cooking.
- Heat Butter and Oil: Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over high heat. Add 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter, allowing the butter to foam gently.
- Cook Onions and Bacon: Add the chopped onions and bacon to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly until the onions soften and the bacon starts to crisp.
- Add Tomatoes and Oregano: Halve the 8 oz of cherry tomatoes and add them to the pan along with 1 teaspoon oregano. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Add Spaghetti: Incorporate the 1 lb of previously cooked spaghetti into the skillet. Stir well and cook for 4-5 minutes until the pasta is heated through.
- Add Cheese and Season: Sprinkle 1 cup of grated cheese over the pasta. Add ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir continuously for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and blends into the pasta.
- Adjust Taste and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the pasta immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked spaghetti to save time and add convenience to this recipe.
- Finely chopping the onion and bacon helps them cook evenly and release their flavor quickly.
- Using a cast-iron or nonstick skillet ensures even heat distribution and prevents sticking.
- Butter combined with olive oil adds richness and depth to the flavor while cooking the bacon and onions.
- Cherry tomatoes add a fresh, sweet, and slightly tangy element to the dish.
- Oregano complements the tomato and bacon flavor, bringing a pleasant herbal note.
- Grated cheese melts smoothly, creating a creamy texture that binds the ingredients together.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste; salt and pepper enhance the overall flavor balance.
