Description
Golden, crusty garlic bread bowls stuffed with saucy spaghetti and melted cheese make for a cozy, fun, and crowd-pleasing dinner. This recipe combines classic comfort foods into an easy, customizable meal perfect for busy families or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 round bakery bread rolls (about 6 inches wide, unsliced; sourdough or Italian recommended)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 8 ounces dry spaghetti noodles
- 2 cups tomato pasta sauce
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers (optional)
- Handful of fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt.
- Slice the top off each bread roll and hollow out the center, leaving about 1/2 inch thick shell. Place bowls on the baking sheet.
- Brush the inside and rim of each bread bowl with garlic butter. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on rims if desired. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook just shy of al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef or turkey (if using), seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat. Add tomato pasta sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes. (If vegetarian, heat sauce and veggies together.)
- Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Spoon hot spaghetti mixture evenly into each bread bowl. Top with extra mozzarella, Parmesan, or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Return filled bread bowls to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and bread is golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if tops brown too fast.
- Remove bowls from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, parsley, or a drizzle of olive oil. Serve hot with a side salad or extra bread for dipping.
Notes
Use sturdy bread rolls like sourdough or Italian for best results. Toast bread bowls before filling to prevent sogginess. For vegetarian or gluten-free, skip meat and use gluten-free bread and pasta. Prep garlic butter and bread bowls ahead for convenience. Layer cheese at the bottom to seal bread and keep spaghetti from soaking through. Save scooped-out bread for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl with spaghetti filling
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 23
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 78
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 22
Keywords: spaghetti garlic bread bowls, cozy dinner, comfort food, easy weeknight meal, Italian bread bowl, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, customizable, cheese, pasta