If you love cozy, comfort food with a fun twist, Bread Bowl Spaghetti is about to become your new obsession! Imagine luscious spaghetti tossed with saucy beef, tucked inside buttery, garlicky rolls, baked until irresistibly melty in the middle and crisp around the edges. It’s equal parts decadent, nostalgic, and wonderfully hands-on—basically, everything you want from a meal that’ll make your family (and your inner kid!) swoon.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Every bite of Bread Bowl Spaghetti delivers gooey cheese, saucy pasta, and buttery bread that’s both heartwarming and satisfying.
- Fun & Mess-Free: Serving spaghetti in edible bowls keeps dinner interactive and portable—perfect for kids and grown-ups alike!
- Incredible Flavor Layers: From savory beef to zesty garlic and herb butter, each layer adds something special for a crave-worthy dinner.
- Wow-Worthy Presentation: Bread Bowl Spaghetti looks impressive on the table yet is secretly easy to pull off—ideal for company or family dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients can come together to create something so spectacular. Each one plays a starring role—think crisp, bakery rolls to hold everything in, and plenty of cheese for that unforgettable stretch!
- Round rolls (5-6 inches): Sturdy enough to hold all the saucy spaghetti, garlic butter, and gooey cheese. Kaiser rolls work beautifully here.
- Spaghetti noodles: Thin and classic, the pasta absorbs the sauce while staying tender inside the bread bowl.
- Spaghetti sauce: Use your favorite jarred or homemade sauce for a rich, tomato-forward taste.
- Ground beef: Browned for savory depth—feel free to swap for turkey, sausage, or even lentils if you like.
- Salt and pepper: Essential simple seasonings that make all the flavors pop.
- Mozzarella cheese: Adds ooey-gooey meltiness and that signature cheese pull we all adore.
- Butter: The base of that luscious, flavorful garlic butter—don’t skimp!
- Garlic (minced): Packs in robust aroma and classic Italian flavor throughout each bite.
- Kosher salt: Highlights every element of the garlic butter blend.
- Parsley (minced): Brings a burst of color and freshness to finish.
Variations
Bread Bowl Spaghetti is endlessly customizable, so make it your own! It’s easy to swap proteins, change up the sauce, or add veggies to fit your tastes or dietary needs—get creative and surprise yourself with new twists.
- Vegetarian Spin: Skip the beef and try using sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, or even lentils for hearty, meatless goodness.
- Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or chopped hot peppers to the sauce or sprinkle some spicy sausage in the mix!
- Cheese Lovers’ Dream: Layer in provolone, parmesan, or fontina alongside the mozzarella for big cheese flavor.
- Whole Wheat or Gluten-Free: Use whole wheat rolls, gluten-free rolls, or your favorite pasta alternative to suit special diets.
How to Make Bread Bowl Spaghetti
Step 1: Prep Rolls and Garlic Butter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. While the oven is heating, melt the butter, then stir in minced garlic, kosher salt, and parsley to make your fragrant garlic butter. Set aside, and get ready for those irresistible aromas to fill your kitchen!
Step 2: Make the Spaghetti Mixture
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until there’s no pink left. Drain excess fat if needed, then stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for ten minutes—the flavors will deepen and meld beautifully. Toss in your cooked spaghetti noodles, making sure every strand is coated and saucy.
Step 3: Hollow and Butter the Bread Bowls
Carefully cut a circle from the tops of each roll and scoop out just enough bread to make a sturdy bowl (don’t cut all the way through—keep that bottom intact!). Arrange the rolls on your prepared pan, then brush them, inside and out, with your luscious garlic butter. This not only infuses flavor but creates a toasty barrier for the sauce to nestle into.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Sprinkle a little shredded mozzarella right into each roll (it’ll help keep the bottom crisp!), then fill generously with the saucy spaghetti mixture. Top with another handful of cheese. Bake for 7–10 minutes, until the edges are deeply golden and the cheese bubbles. Scatter extra parsley on top for bright, eye-catching flair.
Pro Tips for Making Bread Bowl Spaghetti
- Roll Selection Matters: Choose firm, crusty rolls for your Bread Bowl Spaghetti—they hold up best against the warm saucy filling and deliver satisfying crunch.
- Garlic Butter Everywhere: Don’t skip brushing the butter on both the inside and outside of the bowls—it creates an ultra-flavorful, golden crust that’s signature to this dish.
- Layer Cheese for Protection: Sprinkling cheese in the bottom before adding spaghetti keeps the bread from getting soggy and gives you extra melty bites every time.
- Bake Just Before Serving: Bread Bowl Spaghetti is best hot out of the oven when the cheese is gooey and the edges are crisp—plan to serve immediately for maximum effect!
How to Serve Bread Bowl Spaghetti
Garnishes
Bring a burst of color and added freshness by topping your Bread Bowl Spaghetti with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, a few grinds of black pepper, or even a dusting of parmesan cheese. A drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of chili flakes gives a lovely finishing touch for guests who crave a bit more heat or richness.
Side Dishes
This dish is pretty hearty on its own! For balance, serve Bread Bowl Spaghetti with a crisp Caesar salad or simple green salad tossed in vinaigrette. If you’re going all in on comfort, add roasted vegetables or a platter of antipasto to round out your Italian feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve each bread bowl on a small plate for individual portions (which kids and adults both love!). If you want to get festive, arrange them on a large wooden board with bowls of extra cheese, herbs, and red pepper flakes so guests can top their own Bread Bowl Spaghetti however they please. Mini bread bowls also make a playful appetizer for parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Bread Bowl Spaghetti? Pop cooled bread bowls into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. The bread will soften as it absorbs the sauce, but the flavors get even deeper for round two!
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze assembled (but unbaked) bread bowls wrapped tightly in foil and a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual. Note that the bread will be a bit softer after freezing, but still delicious.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to their former glory, reheat Bread Bowl Spaghetti in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is bubbling and the bread edges are toasty again. Microwaving works in a pinch but won’t give you that signature crispness.
FAQs
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Can I assemble Bread Bowl Spaghetti ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the bread bowls and spaghetti filling in advance. Assemble them up to the point of baking, cover well, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Just bake right before serving for the freshest results.
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What type of bread works best for spaghetti bread bowls?
Look for firm, crusty rolls such as kaiser rolls or bakery hard rolls about 5-6 inches wide. Softer breads can become soggy, so avoid sandwich rolls or classic burger buns for this recipe.
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How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Brushing with garlic butter creates a barrier, and adding a layer of shredded mozzarella at the bottom of each bread bowl helps protect the bread from soaking up too much sauce. Also, don’t let them sit too long before baking and serving.
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Can I use a different protein or make it vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap ground beef for turkey, Italian sausage, or plant-based “meat” crumbles. Or go completely veggie by loading your spaghetti with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or lentils.
Final Thoughts
This recipe takes everything you cherish about spaghetti night and turns it into something cozy, fun, and absolutely memorable. If you’ve never tried Bread Bowl Spaghetti, now’s your chance to savor comfort in every bite—grab those rolls and treat yourself to a seriously satisfying twist on a classic!
Print
Bread Bowl Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delicious and hearty meal with this Bread Bowl Spaghetti recipe. A comforting combination of spaghetti, ground beef, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all nestled in a garlic butter-brushed bread bowl. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Rolls:
- 6 round (5-6 inches) rolls, like white kaiser rolls
Spaghetti:
- 4 ounces (1/4 of a 16-ounce box) spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package directions
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
Garlic Butter:
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g) butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Prepare Spaghetti: Brown ground beef in a skillet, add spaghetti sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer, then add cooked noodles. Toss to coat and keep warm.
- Make Garlic Butter: Combine melted butter, garlic, salt, and parsley in a bowl.
- Assemble: Hollow out rolls, brush with garlic butter. Fill with mozzarella, spaghetti mixture, and more mozzarella. Bake until golden brown. Garnish with parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1020mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
