Description
Spaghetti garlic bread bowls combine comforting pasta, fragrant garlic, and crispy bread into a fun and flavorful interactive meal. This recipe serves classic spaghetti inside hollowed-out garlic bread loaves, creating a savory and hearty dish that brings together the best of Italian-inspired comfort food in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread Bowls and Garlic Butter
- 4 round loaves of sturdy, crusty bread (sourdough or Italian bread recommended)
- 6 tablespoons softened butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Olive oil, for brushing
For the Spaghetti Filling
- 12 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: mozzarella or provolone cheese for topping
Optional Add-ins and Variations
- Cooked meatballs, grilled chicken, or sautéed mushrooms (for protein boost)
- Mozzarella, ricotta, or provolone cheese for extra gooeyness
- Hearty vegetable marinara with bell peppers, zucchini, and olives (vegetarian option)
- Red pepper flakes or hot sauce for spice
- Spiralized zucchini or shirataki noodles and low-carb bread alternatives (low-carb version)
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Bread Bowls: Cut the tops off the round bread loaves and hollow out the insides, leaving a sturdy shell. Mix minced garlic with softened butter and parsley to make garlic butter. Brush the inside of each bread bowl generously with garlic butter. Toast the bread bowls in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the bread bowls toast, cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly to avoid sogginess later.
- Prepare the Sauce and Mix: Heat the marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat. Toss the cooked spaghetti in the sauce until fully coated. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Bowls: Spoon generous portions of the spaghetti mixture into each garlic bread bowl. Pack the pasta snugly but avoid overfilling to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle extra Parmesan or mozzarella on top of the filled bread bowls. Place them back into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles beautifully.
Notes
- Use thick, crusty loaves like sourdough or Italian bread for a sturdy bowl.
- Do not overfill to avoid soggy bread bowls.
- Apply garlic butter before toasting for a deeply infused, crispy bread interior.
- Fresh herbs and quality cheese enhance flavor significantly.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl with spaghetti
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 85 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: spaghetti garlic bread bowls, garlic bread, spaghetti, Italian comfort food, bread bowls, interactive meal