Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey makes a lighter version of this dish. Just add a little extra seasoning as turkey can be less flavorful than beef – perhaps a splash of Worcestershire sauce or some extra Italian herbs.

My bread is getting too brown but the cheese isn't fully melted. What should I do?

If this happens, cover the bread loosely with aluminum foil to prevent further browning while allowing the cheese to continue melting. The foil acts as a shield against direct heat while trapping warmth to melt the cheese.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free baguette or Italian-style bread. The rest of the ingredients should be naturally gluten-free, but always check your marinara sauce and seasonings to be certain they don't contain hidden gluten.

How can I make this more like a traditional lasagna?

For an even more authentic lasagna flavor, add a layer of ricotta cheese mixed with an egg and some Italian herbs between the meat sauce and the shredded cheese. This mimics the creamy layer found in traditional lasagna.

Lasagna Garlic Bread Recipe

Description

A delicious and innovative twist on traditional garlic bread, this Lasagna Garlic Bread combines crusty Italian bread with a flavorful lasagna filling, cheeses, and marinara sauce for an irresistibly cheesy and savory appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Bread

1 loaf Italian bread
1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 pound ground beef
2 cups (514 g) marinara sauce, divided

Topping

1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar, shredded, divided
Parsley, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside for later use.
Prepare the bread: Slice the Italian bread loaf lengthwise into two halves. Lay both halves, cut side up, onto the prepared baking sheet.
Make the garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix together the unsalted butter, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Set the prepared bread aside.
Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until it is fully browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Add marinara sauce: Lower the heat to low and stir in 1 cup of the marinara sauce with the cooked beef. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Remove it from the heat.
Assemble the bread: Spread half of the meat and marinara sauce mixture onto each bread half. Then, top them with ½ cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on each half.
Bake the bread: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. For a golden brown finish, broil the bread for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
Garnish and serve: Once baked, garnish the bread with chopped parsley. Slice and serve immediately with the remaining marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Air Fryer Instructions: Follow all recipe steps until ready to bake the bread. Place the bread halves into the air fryer basket (cutting them to fit, if necessary). Air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 320
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg