Epic Spaghetti Grilled Cheese on Garlic Bread

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If you’ve ever found yourself with leftover spaghetti craving comfort food, I’ve got a fun idea for you! Imagine turning that classic pasta dish into a gooey, crispy grilled cheese sandwich. This Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich takes two comfort foods and turns them into the best leftovers creation ever!

Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Flashback to my childhood – my Mama never bought garlic bread. Instead, we’d take regular white bread (or leftover hamburger or hot dog buns), spread butter on them, add garlic salt, and turn them into garlic bread. And it was (and still is) THE BEST. My siblings and I still make garlic bread like this as adults.

But as kids, we’d take that bread (or buns) and turn it into spaghetti sandwiches. Who knew we were light years ahead of a TikTok trend?!

Except now peeps are doing the same easy recipe, except now it’s a little fancier since the bread is put into a skillet and cooked until golden brown like a grilled cheese.

If you love spaghetti and parmesan garlic bread, you’ll really love this leftover spaghetti sandwich1 It’s classic comfort food – with a twist!

Video

Equipment

Stock Pot (to cook the pasta)
Large Skillet or Griddle
Spatula
Butter Knife
Plate
Tongs (optional)

Ingredients

Use leftover saucy spaghetti or make it fresh – either way, you only need a handful of common ingredients to make this Spaghetti Sandwich recipe.

1 pound of Spaghetti noodles
1 jar of Spaghetti Sauce
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
12 slices of Texas Toast
1/2 cup Butter or this homemade Garlic Butter
Garlic Salt or Garlic Powder
Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Optional: 1 pound of ground beef, browned and mixed into the sauce

Substitutions

Spaghetti – Leftover cooked spaghetti works perfectly here since it’s already soft and ready to be turned into a filling. You can use any kind of spaghetti, or even switch it up with other pasta like rotini or fettuccine if that’s what you have on hand.

Cheese – Mozzarella is the go-to because it melts beautifully and gives that perfect stretch with every bite, but feel free to mix in cheddar, provolone, or even a little parmesan! You really can’t go wrong with cheese 🙂

Bread – A hearty bread like sourdough or an Italian loaf stands up well to the filling without getting soggy too fast. Or you can go with my childhood breads… use up leftover hot dog buns, hamburger buns, or even just plain ole white bread to make your garlic toast.

Butter – Using butter on the outside of the bread ensures that golden, crispy crust we all love in a grilled cheese. If you’re watching calories or avoiding dairy, a butter substitute or olive oil can also do the job nicely.

Spaghetti Sauce – Use your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, or even a homemade red sauce. A homemade or good-quality store-bought marinara sauce will elevate the taste.

How to Make a Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This is a simple grilled cheese recipe that you’re going to love – and it’s the perfect way to use up leftover spaghetti!

Start by preparing the spaghetti noodles.
Add the jar of sauce to your drained spaghetti, and mix until well combined.
Butter two pieces of Texas toast. Sprinkle it with garlic salt and parmesan cheese.
Lay one piece of toast on your skillet, butter side down.
Top with a large portion of spaghetti and top with mozzarella cheese.
Place the remaining piece of toast on top, butter side up.
Flip and toast until each side is golden and the cheese is melted.
Repeat until spaghetti is used up.
Serve and enjoy!

spaghetti grilled cheese cut into triangles

Pro Tips

Drain the spaghetti well. Make sure your leftover spaghetti isn’t too wet before using it as filling. Excess moisture can make the sandwich soggy, so if needed, give it a quick toss in a warm pan to dry it out a bit.
Use a good melting cheese. Mozzarella’s stringiness adds that classic grilled cheese vibe, but blending it with a bit of sharper cheese like cheddar or provolone can add wonderful flavor layers and keep things interesting.
Butter the bread generously. Don’t be shy with the butter on the outside of the bread slices. It’s the secret to getting that golden, crispy exterior – plus, it gives a rich flavor that’s hard to beat.
Press gently but firmly when grilling. When you place the sandwich in the pan, press down lightly with a spatula or a panini press to help everything stick together and heat evenly without squashing the filling out.
Use medium-low heat. Too high and you’ll get burnt bread with cold filling (especially with leftovers vs fresh spaghetti); too low and the bread never crisps up properly. Medium heat is your best friend here for a golden crust and melty middle.

Variations

Add Meat: Throw in some cooked meatballs, ground beef, or sausage crumbles to make meat sauce and enjoy a heartier sandwich.

Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the spaghetti filling if you like a bit of heat.

Veggie Boost: Sneak in some sautéed spinach or mushrooms to add freshness and texture.

Make it Open-Faced: Toast just one slice of bread and pile the spaghetti and cheese on top, then broil until bubbly for a different take.

Use Flavored Butter: Spread your bread with a garlic-infused butter before grilling for a subtle savory twist that complements the cheese beautifully.

More Spices: Add Italian seasoning, basil or oregano boosts the flavor!

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a green salad or some roasted veggies for a complete meal.

FAQ

Can I use fresh spaghetti for this recipe, or does it have to be leftover pasta?

You can use fresh spaghetti, but this is really the best kind of recipe to use up leftoers. Just make sure it’s cooled and not too soggy!

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, this recipe is naturally vegetarian as long as you avoid adding meat extras.