Description
Spaghetti Garlic Bread is the ultimate comfort-food combination that unites crispy, buttery garlic bread with saucy, cheesy spaghetti. This baked dish offers a perfect texture contrast of crunchy bread and melty pasta, making it ideal for family dinners, parties, or any occasion where you want a flavorful and indulgent meal. Easily customizable with various sauces and proteins, it’s a crowd-pleaser that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Bread Base
- 1 large Italian loaf or French bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Spaghetti Filling
- 4 cups cooked spaghetti noodles (al dente)
- 2 cups marinara sauce or meat sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1 cup cooked ground beef, sausage, or meatballs
Instructions
- Prep the bread: Slice the Italian loaf lengthwise, creating two halves. Using a spoon, carefully hollow out some of the soft bread from the center halves, creating space for the spaghetti filling without cutting through the crust.
- Make garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
- Spread garlic butter: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture on the hollowed-out inside surfaces of both bread halves to infuse the bread with rich garlic flavor.
- Prepare spaghetti filling: In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti noodles with marinara or your choice of meat sauce. Add shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, and mix until the pasta is evenly coated. If using, fold in cooked ground beef, sausage, or meatballs.
- Fill the bread: Spoon the cheesy spaghetti mixture into the cavity of the buttered bread halves, packing it in firmly but carefully to avoid breaking the bread.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the filled spaghetti inside the bread for a golden cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake the garlic bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the filled bread halves on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake covered for 20 minutes to heat the filling thoroughly, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Slice and serve: Allow the spaghetti garlic bread to cool slightly for a few minutes before slicing into thick, satisfying portions. Serve warm and enjoy the gooey, flavorful combination.
Notes
- Keep pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Use a sturdy Italian or French loaf to maintain crispness and avoid sogginess.
- For an extra crispy crust, brush the outside of the bread with olive oil before baking.
- Enhance cheese pull by adding provolone or fontina cheeses.
- Customize by adding cooked sausage, pepperoni, or bacon for a meat lover’s version.
- Try swapping marinara for Alfredo sauce for a chicken Alfredo variation.
- Add crushed red pepper or spicy sausage for a kick of heat.
- Include sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, or spinach for a veggie twist.
