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Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini

January 20, 2020 By Patricia 69 Comments

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is a great way to use up what’s left behind from last night’s dinner. This is a fun dish I hope you’ll try.

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is a fun meal to use up last night's dinner! You'll love this dish that is so fun to serve!

Today I’m sharing, not so much a recipe, but an idea for a fun meal. Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is definitely a fun dish that will make you happy to have those lingering leftovers in the fridge!

Looking for a recipe for meatballs? You seriously cannot beat these Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatball Sliders. They’re a favorite in my house. 

My husband was telling me about a local restaurant that was serving spaghetti sandwiches. We laughed about it, then a few minutes later we could see each other’s wheels turning!

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is a fun dish the whole family will enjoy! Leftovers get a fun makeover, for sure!

When the time came for us to put our leftovers to use, we decided to go the panini route and make these Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini. We whipped up a little herbed garlic butter to spread on the outside of the bread (hello, garlic bread), and then simply piled on the leftovers with some extra sauce and shredded Mozzarella cheese.

If you’re interested in making your own pasta from scratch, check out my recipe for Homemade Pasta (Without a Machine) with Vodka Sauce. It’s not as hard to make as you might think, and it’s delicious!

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is a great way to refresh your leftovers! You'll love this fun meal!

If you’re a panini lover, check out my recipe for Broccolini, Salami, and Provolone Panini. It’s so hearty and tasty, too. 

You can still enjoy Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini even if you don’t have a panini maker. For a DIY version try this trick to replace the panini press:

  • Place a skillet over medium-high heat and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Arrange the buttered sandwiches in the pan.
  • Place a second skillet on top of the sandwiches and carefully place a few canned goods in the top skillet to help weigh it down to press the sandwiches.
  • Cook for a few minutes, or until the sandwiches begin to toast and turn golden.
  • Remove the top skillet, flip the sandwiches, and replace the top skillet. Cook for a few more minutes, or until golden.

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is a great dish to use up last night's meal! You'll love how fun this sandwich is!

Now you can look forward to leftovers! I’m willing to bet you’ll enjoy serving Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini.

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini is a fun dish to use up last night's dinner! You'll love this fun dish!

Nutrition

Calories

727 cal

Fat

26 g

Carbs

105 g

Protein

23 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Patricia Conte/Grab a Plate

Serves Serves 2

Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini
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5 based on 6 review(s)

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Ingredients

    For the Butter:
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced
  • For the Panini:
  • 4 slices of thick, Italian-style bread
  • Leftover spaghetti and meatballs (slice the meatballs into quarters)
  • 1/4 cup favorite spaghetti sauce
  • 1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided (more to taste)

Instructions

    For the Butter:
  1. Place the garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle with the salt. Use the side of a knife blade to press and scrape the garlic against the cutting board. Continue to press and scrape until the garlic turns to a paste.
  2. Add the garlic and the parsley to the softened butter and mix to combine.
  3. For the Panini:
  4. Adjust the press to high heat.
  5. Toss the spaghetti and meatballs with some of the spaghetti sauce.
  6. Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of one slice, add some of the cheese, then add the spaghetti and meatballs. Sprinkle on a bit more of the cheese. Place a second slice of bread over the top, buttered-side up.
  7. Place each sandwich on the panini press (still set to high), close, and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the sandwiches turn golden. (If you don't have a panini press, see notes above for the DIY version.
  8. Remove, slice in half and serve immediately.
7.8.1.2
220
https://www.azgrabaplate.com/leftover-spaghetti-meatball-panini/

Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Tagged With: leftovers, Meatballs, panini, Spaghetti

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Comments

  1. Kristin Cook says

    October 20, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    Holy yum! I've never thought of doing that before, but it looks amazing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 11:00 pm

      Definitely fun AND tasty! Thanks, Kristin!
      Reply
  2. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    October 20, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    I'm gonna skip the spaghetti and go straight to the panini - YUM!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 11:00 pm

      Thanks, Trish!
      Reply
  3. Heather ♥ thedomesticdiva.org says

    October 20, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    What an interesting idea for how to use up leftovers the next day. Love it! My boys and I will have to try this one out soon.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:59 pm

      Thanks, Heather! I hope you all enjoy them!
      Reply
  4. Carley says

    October 20, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Oh my gosh this looks AH-MAY-ZING. We Pittsburghers love our spaghetti sandwiches. Never have I thought to make a panini though! I seriously can't wait to try this.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:58 pm

      Thanks, Carley! I'm from NE Ohio, and I'd never seen this! Now french fries on sandwiches.... :)
      Reply
  5. Helen says

    October 20, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    Wow! This is so unique! I would have never thought to do this, but it looks so tasty!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      Thanks, Helen! I had a lot of people tell me, "I ate this as a kid!" Who knew!
      Reply
  6. Jen says

    October 21, 2017 at 1:32 am

    My boys will get a kick out of this for dinner! Such a great way to switch up a pasta night.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      For sure! I hope you all enjoy!
      Reply
  7. Whitney S says

    October 21, 2017 at 8:58 am

    This looks so tasty! I never would have thought to put spaghetti on bread and make a panini!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      Ha! I figured, we eat spaghetti with garlic bread, soooo.....! Thanks, Whitney!
      Reply
  8. Nutmeg Nanny says

    October 21, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    What a fun idea! So much better than just normal leftovers!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:56 pm

      Yes! A great way to add some "excitement" to leftovers ;) Thanks!
      Reply
  9. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

    October 21, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Now I totally want to make spaghetti & meatballs this weekend just so I can have leftovers! :) This sandwich looks crazy good.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:56 pm

      Haha! I hope you do! Thanks, Carrie!
      Reply
  10. Cristina says

    October 22, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    I have a hole in my stomach right now. I can't believe how incredibly delicious these look!!! I'm a paste addict, so this might explain a lot. But still... looks a-mazing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:56 pm

      :) Thanks, Cristina! It's a fun dish!
      Reply
  11. Krista says

    October 22, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    You get the best of two worlds with this recipe!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      For sure! :) Thanks, Krista!
      Reply
  12. Kait Around The Kingdom says

    October 23, 2017 at 12:26 am

    Yum this looks delicious! I’ll have to try it sometime!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      Whenever you have leftovers on your hands! :) Thanks, Kait!
      Reply
  13. Sissy says

    October 24, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    So creative and so yummy!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks! It was fun to make and eat!
      Reply
  14. Katie Meshko says

    January 20, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    YUUUUMMM!! What a fun way to eat leftover spaghetti!! I need to try this asap!! xo, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks, Katie! Enjoy!
      Reply
  15. Nicole Pyles says

    January 20, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Oh this is an amazing way to use leftovers!! I am absolutely going to try this.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks, Nicole! Hope you enjoy this idea!
      Reply
  16. Becky says

    January 20, 2020 at 2:43 pm

    WOW this looks great! I have a panini maker but haven't used it in awhile. I never would have thought to put spaghetti on a panini but I would definitely eat this. I wonder what other dinner leftovers I can turn into paninis...
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      Something a little different, right? Hope you get to break out the panini maker soon!
      Reply
  17. Carissa says

    January 20, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    Like someone else said in the comments! I'm going straight to the panini's..this looks amazing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      :) Thanks so muhc, Carissa!
      Reply
  18. Karen says

    January 20, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    What a fun way to eat leftovers! We used to fry leftover spaghetti. I still love crispy spaghetti! :-)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      Ooo! I'm going to try that soon! Thanks, Karen!
      Reply
  19. Monica Allman says

    January 20, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    Thank you for the delicious recipes, I will try them when the kids are home, I know that they will love it.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks, Monica! I hope everyone enjoys this!
      Reply
  20. Summer says

    January 20, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    Oh my gosh, looks delicious! We're huge pasta fans over here - what a neat and yummy way to spice up left-overs!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks, Summer! Yes, for sure!
      Reply
  21. Kelly Bolen says

    January 20, 2020 at 6:47 pm

    OMG! This looks fabulous! I would have never thought to do this! Yummy!!!!!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      Thanks a bunch, Kelly!
      Reply
  22. Raina says

    January 20, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    I love this! I would've never thought of doing this and now I cannot wait to try it.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      Thank you, Raina! I hope you enjoy it!
      Reply
  23. Monica says

    January 21, 2020 at 10:54 am

    Oh my goodness. I have never considered such a panini, but I am SO intrigued! We often have tons of leftover spaghetti and some gets thrown out because we get tired of the same meal. I am going to have to try this!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      I know - that happens a lot in my house, too. I hope you try this fun way to enjoy leftovers! Thanks, Monica!
      Reply
  24. Ashley R says

    January 21, 2020 at 11:12 am

    This is my kind of dish. Carbs on carbs. I would never think to put spaghetti on bread but it works!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      I mean....people eat bread with pasta (at least I do - LOL), so why not!
      Reply
  25. Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says

    January 21, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    What a delicious way to serve leftover spaghetti and meatballs!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      January 21, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks so much!
      Reply
  26. Clair says

    January 21, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    Yumm! This is such a delicious idea for leftover spaghetti! I have had a meatball sub, but this panini is absolutely perfect!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks so much, Clair!
      Reply
  27. Emily at Hunny I'm Home DIY says

    January 22, 2020 at 9:14 am

    I thought I was the only one who loved spaghetti sandwiches!! This looks so good!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2020 at 4:14 pm

      Haha! So fun, right?
      Reply
  28. Jennifer Maune says

    January 24, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    This is such a great idea! We always have garlic bread with spaghetti, so this is a great way to use up leftovers! -Jennifer https://jennifermaune.com
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      Thanks, Jennifer! Mmmm... so good, and so fun!
      Reply
  29. Ecstasy says

    September 25, 2023 at 8:06 am

    I love spaghetti and meatballs and hate to throw them out when there are leftovers no one would have! This time I tried this recipe for spaghetti panini to work and even my coworkers were kind of intrigued by my lunch.
    Reply

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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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