Tired of the same old spaghetti routine? Imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy, garlic-infused bread bowl brimming with perfectly cooked spaghetti and your favorite sauce. These Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls are not only incredibly delicious but also a fun and impressive way to elevate your pasta night – I promise you’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make!
Ingredients
For the Garlic Bread Bowls:
- 4 round loaves of bread (about 6 inches in diameter)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Spaghetti:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, or your preferred protein)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Let’s Make Some Garlic Butter!
Okay, so the magic of these Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls really starts with the garlic butter. Don’t skimp on this step! It’s what transforms ordinary bread into something truly spectacular. And believe me, the aroma alone is worth the effort.
Getting Started:
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything together until well combined. You want a nice, even distribution of all those delicious flavors.
Crafting the Bread Bowls
Now comes the fun part – creating the bowls! Don’t worry if your first attempt isn’t perfect; it’s all part of the learning process. And hey, even slightly imperfect bread bowls taste amazing when filled with spaghetti!
Hollowing Out the Loaves:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a serrated knife, carefully cut a circle out of the top of each bread loaf, leaving about a 1-inch border. Think of it like carving a pumpkin!
- Gently pull out the bread from the center, leaving about a 1/2-inch shell. Don’t discard the bread you pull out! You can use it for breadcrumbs or croutons.
Butter Them Up!:
- Generously spread the garlic butter mixture inside each bread bowl and on the cut-out tops. Make sure every nook and cranny is coated in that garlicky goodness.
- Place the bread bowls and the cut-out tops on a baking sheet.
Baking to Golden Perfection:
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread bowls are golden brown and the garlic butter is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
Spaghetti Sauce: The Heart of the Meal
While the bread bowls are baking, let’s get that spaghetti sauce simmering! This is where you can really customize things to your liking. Feel free to add extra veggies, different herbs, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
Sautéing the Aromatics:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef (or Italian sausage) over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Simmering the Sauce:
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together.
Cooking the Spaghetti:
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain well.
Assembling Your Masterpiece
This is where it all comes together! Get ready for some serious food envy from anyone who happens to be around.
Filling the Bowls:
- Carefully fill each garlic bread bowl with the cooked spaghetti and sauce. Don’t be shy – load them up!
- Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
Serving and Enjoying:
- Serve immediately, with the garlic bread tops on the side for dipping.
- Get ready to dig in and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making the Garlic Butter:
- Combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
Preparing the Bread Bowls:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut a circle out of the top of each bread loaf, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Remove the bread from the center, leaving a 1/2-inch shell.
- Spread garlic butter inside each bread bowl and on the cut-out tops.
- Place bread bowls and tops on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.
Cooking the Spaghetti Sauce:
- Brown ground beef in a pot. Drain grease.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cooking the Spaghetti:
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well.
Assembling and Serving:
- Fill each garlic bread bowl with spaghetti and sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately with garlic bread tops.
Tips and Tricks for Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowl Success
Want to take your Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls to the next level? Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks!
- Bread Choice: While round loaves work great, you can also use Italian bread or even sourdough for a different flavor profile.
- Garlic Butter Variations: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or use roasted garlic for a sweeter, mellower flavor.
- Sauce Customization: Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to your sauce. A splash of red wine can also add depth of flavor.
- Protein Power: Experiment with different proteins like Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even shredded chicken.
- Cheese, Please!: Don’t be afraid to add extra cheese! A sprinkle of mozzarella or provolone on top of the spaghetti before baking will create a gooey, cheesy masterpiece.
More Mouthwatering Recipes
If you’re a fan of garlic bread and pasta, you’re in the right place! Here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
- Try this incredibly easy Creamy Garlic Pasta for a quick and satisfying meal.
- For the perfect side to any Italian dish, whip up a batch of these Garlic Butter Bread Rolls.
- Craving something even more indulgent? Check out these Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls.
- If you love this Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls recipe, you might also enjoy these Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowls.
- For a simple yet flavorful pasta dish, give this Garlic Parmesan Pasta recipe a try.
- And for a truly decadent treat, why not try this Cheesesteak Stuffed Garlic Bread?
Give Those Leftovers a Twist!
What to do with leftover Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls? Reheating is always an option, but here are a few other fun ideas:
- Spaghetti Frittata: Mix the leftover spaghetti with eggs and cheese and bake for a delicious frittata.
- Spaghetti Grilled Cheese: Layer spaghetti and cheese between two slices of buttered bread and grill for a unique twist on grilled cheese.
- Bread Bowl Croutons: Cut the leftover bread bowl into cubes, toss with olive oil and herbs, and bake for homemade croutons.
Final Thoughts on Your Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
There you have it – the ultimate Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls! This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, parties, or any occasion where you want to impress. The combination of crispy garlic bread and comforting spaghetti is simply irresistible. So go ahead, give it a try, and prepare to be amazed at how easy and delicious it is to create this culinary masterpiece. Happy cooking!
What kind of bread is recommended for making the garlic bread bowls?
The recipe suggests using round loaves of bread, about 6 inches in diameter, but also mentions that Italian bread or sourdough can be used for a different flavor.
Can I customize the spaghetti sauce?
Yes, the recipe encourages customization. You can add extra vegetables, different herbs, or even red pepper flakes for some heat. A splash of red wine can also add depth of flavor.
What are some tips for using leftover Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls?
Besides reheating, you can make a spaghetti frittata, spaghetti grilled cheese, or bread bowl croutons with the leftovers.
What oven temperature should I use when baking the bread bowls?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) when baking the bread bowls.

Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Ultimate
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- serrated knife
- Baking Sheet
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- strainer
- Spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 4 round loaves of bread about 6 inches in diameter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a serrated knife, carefully cut a circle out of the top of each bread loaf, leaving about a 1-inch border.
- Gently pull out the bread from the center, leaving about a 1/2-inch shell. Don’t discard the bread you pull out! You can use it for breadcrumbs or croutons.
- Generously spread the garlic butter mixture inside each bread bowl and on the cut-out tops.
- Place the bread bowls and the cut-out tops on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread bowls are golden brown and the garlic butter is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef (or Italian sausage) over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain well.
- Carefully fill each garlic bread bowl with the cooked spaghetti and sauce. Don’t be shy – load them up!
- Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately, with the garlic bread tops on the side for dipping.
