Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
This Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls recipe combines hearty, flavorful spaghetti bolognese with a deliciously crispy garlic butter bread bowl, topped with melted mozzarella for a comforting and impressive meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Simmering, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Salt
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 medium white onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 500g ground beef (12% fat)
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 80ml red wine
- 500g tomato passata
- 240ml beef stock
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 20g freshly grated parmesan
- 200g spaghetti
Bread Bowls and Topping
- 6 crusty white rolls
- 100g butter, melted
- 30g parmesan for butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, made into paste
- 200g mozzarella, shredded
- Olive oil for cooking (about 1 tablespoon)
- Cook Aromatics and Beef: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add the finely diced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned all over and no longer pink.
- Add Tomato Puree and Deglaze: Stir in the tablespoon of tomato puree and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Pour in the red wine and allow it to reduce for about 3-4 minutes, letting the alcohol cook off while concentrating the taste.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the tomato passata, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, chopped basil, dried oregano, and sugar. Stir everything together, bring to a simmer, and let cook gently for 25 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan right before the end for richness.
- Prepare Bread Bowls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the tops off the crusty white rolls and hollow out the centers, creating bread bowls while leaving a sturdy bottom and sides.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic paste, chopped fresh parsley, and 30g parmesan cheese. Brush this garlic butter mixture liberally inside and outside each hollowed-out roll for flavor and crispiness.
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer the hot spaghetti directly into the prepared meat sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble Bowls: Fill each garlic buttered roll with the saucy spaghetti mixture, ensuring there is plenty of sauce on top. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the filled bread bowls.
- Bake: Place the filled bowls on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the bread is crisp and the mozzarella has melted. For a golden, bubbly cheese topping, optionally broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the spaghetti garlic bread bowls immediately while warm, enjoying the combination of crispy bread, rich sauce, and gooey cheese.
Notes
- Serve immediately for best texture and to enjoy the crispiness of the bread bowl.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots to the sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
- Adjust herbs and spices to your taste—adding chili flakes can give a spicy kick, or fresh thyme can add earthiness.
- You can substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based mince for dietary variations.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, stir in a splash of cream just before assembling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: spaghetti, garlic bread bowl, Italian recipe, pasta bake, comfort food, dinner recipe