Spaghetti Grilled Cheese
Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich
How to Make a Leftover Spaghetti Sandwich with your Favorite Spaghetti Dish
Chow down on an epically comforting spaghetti grilled cheese sandwich made with your favorite spaghetti dish! Whether you love spaghetti in marinara sauce, a cheesy spaghetti mac and cheese, or something off the beaten path like BBQ spaghetti – everything is better between bread and cheese. Learn how to make a leftover spaghetti sandwich in minutes!
To me, the combination of spaghetti and grilled cheese is both comfort and food freedom at their finest. No, it’s not a meal I enjoy every day. But it is a meal that I thoroughly enjoy, and I find joy in every bite! Starchy, carby, warm, cheesy, crispy around the edges—it’s truly a food phenomenon that’s worth giving a whirl.
Spaghetti Grilled Cheese vs. Spaghetti Sandwich
Before I whipped up this spaghetti grilled cheese recipe, I didn’t even know that a spaghetti sandwich existed out in the world. Now that I’ve tried it for myself, I totally understand why! But where did it come from?
Where did the spaghetti sandwich originate?
Believe it or not, there are several accounts of a spaghetti sandwich across the world. In Australia, the “spaghetti jaffle” features cooked or leftover spaghetti in red sauce, often served between garlic bread. A similar concoction—leftover spaghetti between garlic bread—was devised at the Burnt Crumbs restaurant in California, and the chef called it a “spaghetti grilled cheese.”
What is a spaghetti sandwich – or is it a grilled cheese?
To make a true spaghetti grilled cheese sandwich, I’ve ditched the classic red sauce and garlic bread. Instead, I’ve grilled up a 3-cheese spaghetti mac and cheese between buttered brioche slices and more cheese! (I guess, technically, that makes this a “spaghetti melt,” since a “melt” is just a grilled cheese that has anything else added to it.)
How to Make a Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilling up this spaghetti sandwich is just as simple as making any grilled cheese—except with some leftover spaghetti in the middle!
- Prepare spaghetti dish of choice, or use leftovers. (Spaghetti macaroni, with marinara sauce—whatever you like!)
- Assemble sandwich with bread of choice, cheese slices, and spaghetti.
- Brush outside of bread with melted butter and add to a heated skillet or griddle.
- Cook 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
Is mayo or butter better for grilled cheese?
With any grilled cheese sandwich, it’s crucial to butter the bread before grilling. This adds some rich flavor and gives the bread a perfectly golden-brown crispiness! Or, if you’re a mayonnaise lover, “butter” your bread with mayo for added flavor! It’ll work just as well as butter—and some say mayo is even better for a crispier exterior. (Personally, I’m Team Butter all the way.)
What kind of cheese is best for grilled cheese?
For this spaghetti grilled cheese sandwich recipe, I used a combination of American cheese and Swiss cheese. Of course, you’re welcome to use whichever cheeses you like! Sharp or mild cheddar and Monterey Jack are all delicious options. Or, if you’re making a sandwich with spaghetti in marinara sauce, sliced mozzarella or parmesan would be perfect.
Switching Up the Spaghetti Sandwich Recipe
The beauty of a leftover spaghetti sandwich is that you can make it with any leftover spaghetti dish (or pasta dish) that you’d like. If you want a change of pace from spaghetti in marinara or mac and cheese, try switching things up:
- Taco Spaghetti Casserole with beef, beans, rotel, and Mexican cheese. (Recipe below!)
- BBQ Spaghetti with pulled pork, bell pepper, and low sugar BBQ sauce. (Recipe below!)
- Nix the bread and try Spaghetti Tacos served in crunchy shells instead!
To see how this sandwich is made, watch my CRAZY Spaghetti Recipes video!
Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices brioche bread , (or bread of choice)
- 1 slice American cheese
- 1 slice Swiss cheese
- ½–¾ cup spaghetti mac and cheese, (or spaghetti dish of choice)
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare spaghetti dish of choice or use leftover spaghetti. (This can be as simple as cooking 1 cup spaghetti noodles and tossing them in your favorite sauce!)
- Place 1 slice of cheese onto each slice of bread. Add spaghetti and assemble sandwich.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Brush outside of 1 bread slice with melted butter.
- Spray pan with cooking spray and add spaghetti grilled cheese, buttered side down. Cook 2-3 minutes, until bread is golden brown and crispy.
- Brush melted butter onto top bread slice before flipping. Continue to cook another 2-3 minutes on other side.
- Slice, serve warm, and enjoy!
Taco Spaghetti Grilled Cheese
Instead of a mac and cheese filling, whip up a zesty, melty sandwich filled with taco spaghetti instead! With spaghetti noodles, beef, beans, salsa, and cheese between slices of wheat bread and more cheese, what’s not to love?
Taco Spaghetti Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices wheat bread, (or bread of choice)
- 1 slice Colby Jack cheese
- 1 slice Monterey Jack cheese
- ½–¾ cup taco spaghetti, (or spaghetti dish of choice)
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare taco spaghetti or use leftovers.
- Place 1 slice of cheese onto each slice of bread. Add spaghetti and assemble sandwich.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Brush outside of 1 bread slice with melted butter.
- Spray pan with cooking spray and add sandwich, buttered side down. Cook 2-3 minutes, until bread is golden brown and crispy.
- Brush melted butter onto top bread slice before flipping. Continue to cook another 2-3minutes on other side.
- Slice, serve warm, and enjoy!
BBQ Spaghetti Sandwich
Maximize your comfort with sweet-and-savory BBQ spaghetti served on a grilled hamburger bun with cheddar and pepper jack cheese! A fun and satisfying sandwich to take your barbecue lunch or dinner to the next level.
BBQ Spaghetti Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 hamburger bun, (or bread of choice)
- 1 slice pepper jack cheese
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
- ½–¾ cup BBQ spaghetti, (or spaghetti dish of choice)
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare BBQ spaghetti or use leftovers.
- Place 1 slice of cheese onto each piece of bread. Add spaghetti and assemble sandwich.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Brush outside of 1 bread slice with melted butter.
- Spray pan with cooking spray and add sandwich, buttered side down. Cook 2-3 minutes, until bread is golden brown and crispy.
- Brush melted butter onto top bread slice before flipping. Continue to cook another 2-3 minutes on other side.
- Slice, serve warm, and enjoy!
