Description
Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread is a delicious fusion of garlic bread and saucy spaghetti, creating a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for sharing. This recipe combines crispy crusty bread, garlicky butter, rich marinara sauce, and gooey cheeses into an indulgent meal that pleases both carb lovers and pasta fans. Easily customizable and great for leftovers, it’s an ideal recipe for family gatherings or casual feasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 sturdy loaf of French or Italian bread (day-old preferred, about 12 inches long)
Spaghetti Filling
- 8 oz cooked spaghetti (al dente)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Optional: cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, meatballs, or sautéed vegetables (mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers) as desired
Garlic Butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or a mix)
- Pinch of salt
Cheeses
- 1 1/2 cups shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnishes (optional)
- Fresh chopped basil or parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Extra virgin olive oil drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare the Spaghetti Filling: Cook spaghetti according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and toss the pasta with marinara sauce until evenly coated. Stir in any pre-cooked meats or vegetables if using, for added flavor and texture.
- Hollow Out the Bread: Slice the bread loaf lengthwise, then carefully scoop out the soft interior, leaving a thick enough shell that holds the filling securely without breaking. Avoid removing too much bread to maintain structure.
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and spread a generous layer of the garlic butter inside both hollowed halves of the bread to infuse rich garlicky flavor.
- Stuff the Bread: Fill the hollowed bread with the spaghetti and marinara mixture, pressing lightly to pack it but not overflow. Next, evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top followed by grated Parmesan for a flavorful cheese layer.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts, bubbles, and the bread turns golden and crispy. Tent with foil halfway through if the bread begins to over-brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top. Slice into thick pieces and serve warm, optionally adding crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess and hold filling better.
- Do not overfill the bread; leave space at the edges to avoid spills during baking.
- Pre-cook any additions like meat or vegetables thoroughly before mixing with spaghetti sauce.
- Combining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses yields the best melt and flavor balance.
- If bread browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness—avoid microwaving.
- Fully assembled but unbaked bread can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Spaghetti stuffed garlic bread, garlic bread recipe, stuffed bread, pasta bake, comfort food, Italian-American recipe