There’s something magical about combining two beloved comfort foods into one dish. That’s exactly what happens with Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls — crusty, buttery garlic bread cradling a heap of hearty spaghetti bolognese, all topped with gooey melted mozzarella. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles around the table, whether it’s a cozy weeknight meal or a casual gathering with friends.
This recipe was inspired by a family tradition where Sunday dinners always featured homemade spaghetti and plenty of fresh garlic bread. One day, I decided to get creative — why not merge them into a single, hand-held experience? The result: a spaghetti dinner you can hold in your hands, with a crispy, cheesy garlic bread exterior and saucy pasta tucked inside. Let me show you how to make it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun & Creative Presentation: Each person gets their own edible bowl — no dishes required!
- Great for Kids and Adults: The novelty of pasta in a bread bowl makes it an instant favorite.
- Versatile & Customizable: Swap the ground beef for turkey, lentils, or mushrooms for a different twist.
- Perfect for Any Season: Enjoy it during cozy winters or serve it at a summer potluck.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Spaghetti Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 500g (about 1 lb) ground beef (12% fat)
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 80ml (⅓ cup) red wine
- 500g (1 ¾ cups) tomato passata
- 240ml (1 cup) beef stock
- ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp sugar
- 20g (about 2 tbsp) freshly grated Parmesan
For the Garlic Bread Bowls:
- 6 crusty white rolls (large enough to hollow out)
- 100g (7 tbsp) melted butter
- 30g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan for the garlic butter
- 3 garlic cloves, made into a paste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Pasta & Topping:
- 200g (7 oz) spaghetti
- 200g (7 oz) shredded mozzarella
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Spaghetti Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until golden.
- Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Mix in the tomato purée and cook for 2 minutes.
- Deglaze with red wine and let it reduce by half.
- Add passata, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, sugar, and salt & pepper to taste.
- Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, or until thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan and remove from heat.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Bread Bowls
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cut the tops off the bread rolls and hollow out the insides, leaving enough structure to hold the filling.
- In a bowl, combine melted butter, garlic paste, parsley, and Parmesan.
- Brush the mixture inside and outside of each bread roll.
- Place the rolls on a baking tray and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Spaghetti
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
- Drain and immediately toss with the hot spaghetti sauce until evenly coated.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
- Fill each garlic bread bowl with the spaghetti mixture, ensuring there’s a good layer of sauce on top.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over each bowl.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For an extra golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve each bowl hot with a sprinkle of extra parsley and Parmesan.
- Add a green side salad or roasted veggies to complete the meal.
- Offer red pepper flakes or chili oil on the side for spice lovers.
Storage Tips
- To Store: Wrap each bowl individually in foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- To Reheat: Bake at 350°F until warmed through, about 10-12 minutes.
Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Rolls: Look for crusty, dense rolls that won’t get soggy when filled.
- Use Fresh Garlic: A garlic paste made from fresh cloves gives the butter a punchy, aromatic flavor.
- Balance the Sauce: Don’t skip the sugar — it balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully.
Why This Dish is a Must-Try
This recipe takes a classic comfort food to the next level. The garlic butter soaks into the bread just enough to make every bite flavorful, while the spaghetti stays rich and savory inside its edible bowl. It’s like spaghetti and garlic bread had the most delicious baby — and trust me, your dinner guests will be asking for seconds.
Final Thoughts
These Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls are the perfect fusion of texture, flavor, and creativity. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining guests, they bring excitement to the table and are surprisingly simple to prepare. Add this to your dinner rotation and enjoy a whole new way to serve spaghetti!
The Goods
Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
We appreciate you taking the time to rate!
Recipes
For the Spaghetti Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium white onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely diced
- 500 g about 1 lb ground beef (12% fat)
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 80 ml ⅓ cup red wine
- 500 g 1 ¾ cups tomato passata
- 240 ml 1 cup beef stock
- ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ bunch fresh basil chopped
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp sugar
- 20 g about 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
For the Garlic Bread Bowls:
- 6 crusty white rolls large enough to hollow out
- 100 g 7 tbsp melted butter
- 30 g ¼ cup grated Parmesan for the garlic butter
- 3 garlic cloves made into a paste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- For the Pasta & Topping:
- 200 g 7 oz spaghetti
- 200 g 7 oz shredded mozzarella
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Spaghetti Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until golden.
- Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Mix in the tomato purée and cook for 2 minutes.
- Deglaze with red wine and let it reduce by half.
- Add passata, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, sugar, and salt & pepper to taste.
- Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, or until thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan and remove from heat.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Bread Bowls
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cut the tops off the bread rolls and hollow out the insides, leaving enough structure to hold the filling.
- In a bowl, combine melted butter, garlic paste, parsley, and Parmesan.
- Brush the mixture inside and outside of each bread roll.
- Place the rolls on a baking tray and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Spaghetti
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
- Drain and immediately toss with the hot spaghetti sauce until evenly coated.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
- Fill each garlic bread bowl with the spaghetti mixture, ensuring there’s a good layer of sauce on top.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over each bowl.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For an extra golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes.
Leave a Reply