Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowl Recipe

Are you in the mood for a cozy and flavorful meal that combines the best of garlic bread and spaghetti? Try the Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowl Recipe!

Buttery and crispy garlic bread bowls filled with savoury spaghetti make this recipe a real crowd-pleaser for family dinners, date nights, or simple get-togethers.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowl Recipe

Two-in-One Indulgence: Garlicky, buttery bread combined with classic spaghetti in one dish- your ultimate irresistible pair.

Kids will love the Fun: Edible bread bowls are fascinating to both kids and adults during meal times.

Barely Any Cleanup: There are no extra dishes to wash because the bowl is edible.

Variety and Customising: Easily adaptable with your favourite pasta sauces, proteins, or cheeses.

Just Right for Entertaining: A Dish that impresses guests as creative and comforting while also really being beautiful and tastefully delicious.

Ingredients

For the Garlic Bread Bowls

4 medium sourdough boules (or French bread boules, about 6 inches in diameter)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder for milder flavour)

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavour)

For the Spaghetti Filling

12 oz spaghetti (or pasta of choice)

1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, turkey, or plant-based meat)

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

24 oz marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping

Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

With a serrated knife, carefully cut a circle (approximately 4 inches in diameter) from the top of each sourdough boule.

Hollow out the soft inner bread, leaving a 1-inch-thick wall so that it may not leak. The scooped-out bread could be reserved for breadcrumbs or croutons.

In a bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and Parmesan (if using). Generously brush the garlic butter mixture onto the insides and edges of each bread bowl.

Place the bread bowls on a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes until slightly toasted. Keep aside.
How to Cook the Spaghetti

To cook the spaghetti, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and follow the package instructions until the pasta is al dente–drain off the water, and keep aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil and sauté until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes, the chopped onion.

Add the ground beef and cook until browned while breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Add garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the marinara sauce and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Then add the spaghetti and toss to coat.

Spoon the spaghetti filling into the bread bowls to the rim.

Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Return the bread bowls to the tray for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling, and bread edges are golden.

Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve right away.

Tips for the Best Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowl

Choose Sturdy Bread: Sourdough or French boules contain sturdy bread that will be able to contain the spaghetti for a while without collapsing.

Prevent Sogginess: Serve immediately after filling to ensure that the crispy texture of the bread remains intact. Brush with a little additional garlic butter inside the bowl for further protection.

Balance Flavours: Taste the spaghetti mixture before filling, so adjust seasoning as necessary. Red pepper flakes can be added if you like it spicy.

Hollow Carefully: Leave some bread in the bowl to support the filling, but enough to remove for spaghetti.

Cheese Alternatives: Make use of cheddar or provolone, or a blend with different flavour profiles.

Variations and Substitutions

Vegetarian Alternative: Replace ground beef with fried mushrooms, zucchini, or substitute a plant-based meat for that.

Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter and cheese for the bowls and utilise plant-based protein for the filling.

Different Sauces: Alfredo or pesto sauces bring something different from marinara.

Protein Alternatives: Use ground turkey or shredded chicken in place of ground beef.

Gluten-Free: Gluten-free spaghetti in a gluten-free bread boule.

Spicy Kick: Add hotness with red pepper flakes or diced jalapeno to your spaghetti mixture.

Serving Suggestions

Side Salad: Caesar salad or a garden salad with a spicy vinaigrette is just enough to complement the richness in the dish.

Appetizer: Bruschetta or antipasto skewers are nutty Italian picnic starters.

Desserts: Offers a Delectable end with tiramisu or lemon sorbet.

Make Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make-Ahead

Bread Bowls: Hollow out bread bowls up to a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Brush with garlic butter and toast just before filling.

Spaghetti Filling: Make the spaghetti filling up to 2 days prior and then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat on the stovetop with water just before filling the bowls.

Garlic Butter: Prepare the garlic butter up to one month in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Before using it, soften at room temperature.

Storing

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days. Reheat in an oven set to 350°F for about 10-12 minutes to crisp up again.

Store at room temperature for up to 1 day or freeze for later use.

Freezing

Unfilled Bread Bowls: Tightly wrap hollowed-out bread bowls in plastic wrap and aluminium foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before brushing with garlic butter and baking.

Freeze the spaghetti filling in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before filling.

Assembled Bowls: Best when freezing unfilled bread bowls and spaghetti separately, since assembled bowls may become soggy when thawed.

FAQs

Q: How do I keep the bread bowl from getting soggy?

A: Serve them just after filling them and with bread. Extra garlic buttering on the inside forms a protective layer.

Q: Can I use store-bought garlic bread?

A: Yes, but they are much better for texture and flavour when they are made fresh. If you are using a store-bought loaf, choose a sturdy loaf and take great care to hollow it out.

Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

A: Absolutely! Use gluten-free spaghetti and a gluten-free bread boule. Check that all other ingredients, like marinara sauce, are gluten-free.

Q: What other cheeses can I use?

A: Great for use would be provolone, cheddar, or a mozzarella-parmesan mix. For a bolder flavor, try asiago or fontina.

Q: Can I freeze the assembled garlic bread spaghetti bowls?

A: Not advisable since it could cause sogginess in the bread. To get the best results, freeze the components separately.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowl Recipe sounds very comforting as it mixes the buttery garlic bread with the macaroni goodness of spaghetti.

It is just so easy and versatile with flavours good enough to tantalise the senses to win for any occasion it’s a weeknight dinner or a big event.

Make ahead and freeze for those busy times. It is perfect. Get started today, and let us know what your favourite variations are in the comments!

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