Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
Introduction
Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls combine two classic favorites into one fun and flavorful meal. Tender spaghetti tossed in a rich, herby beef sauce is served inside crispy, garlic-infused bread bowls topped with melted mozzarella. It’s a comforting and impressive dish perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients
- Olive oil for cooking
- 1 medium white onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 500g ground beef (12% fat)
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 80ml red wine
- 500g tomato passata
- 240ml beef stock
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 20g freshly grated parmesan
- 200g spaghetti
- 6 crusty white rolls
- 100g butter, melted
- 30g parmesan for butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, made into paste
- 200g mozzarella, shredded
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the finely diced onion until golden, then add the finely diced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add the ground beef to the pan and brown thoroughly. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for a minute to deepen the flavor.
- Step 3: Pour in the red wine and let it reduce by half on a medium heat.
- Step 4: Add the tomato passata, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, chopped basil, dried oregano, and sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for about 25 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan before removing from heat.
- Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the tops off the crusty rolls and carefully hollow out the centers to create bread bowls.
- Step 6: Combine the melted butter, garlic paste, chopped parsley, and parmesan for the garlic butter. Brush this mixture inside and on the outside of the hollowed rolls to infuse flavor and help crisp the bread.
- Step 7: Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and transfer the pasta directly into the beef sauce. Toss gently to coat the spaghetti evenly.
- Step 8: Spoon the spaghetti and sauce mixture into each prepared bread bowl, making sure to have a generous amount of sauce on top.
- Step 9: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the filled bread bowls.
- Step 10: Place the filled bowls on a baking tray and bake for 8-10 minutes until the bread is crisp and the cheese has melted. For a bubbly, golden top, optionally broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Tips & Variations
- For extra depth, substitute the beef stock with a rich homemade beef broth.
- If preferred, swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based mince to suit dietary needs.
- Use fresh garlic paste for a more intense flavor in the garlic butter and sauce.
- Try adding chili flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Choose crusty bread rolls with a sturdy crust to hold the filling without getting soggy.
Storage
Store any leftover spaghetti garlic bread bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) to help restore the crispiness of the bread and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, the sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just reheat gently before tossing with freshly cooked spaghetti.
What can I use if I don’t have red wine?
You can substitute red wine with an equal amount of beef broth or grape juice with a splash of vinegar for acidity, but the wine adds a distinctive depth to the sauce.
PrintSpaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
Delicious Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich, slow-simmered beef and tomato sauce, served in hollowed crusty bread rolls brushed with garlic-parmesan butter and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. A comforting and impressive dish perfect for a cozy family meal or gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- Olive oil for cooking
- 1 medium white onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 500g ground beef (12% fat)
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 80ml red wine
- 500g tomato passata
- 240ml beef stock
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 20g freshly grated parmesan
Pasta
- 200g spaghetti
Bread Bowls
- 6 crusty white rolls
- 100g butter, melted
- 30g parmesan for butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, made into paste
Topping
- 200g mozzarella, shredded
Instructions
- Start Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan, then cook finely diced onion until golden brown. Add finely diced garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant.
- Brown Beef: Add ground beef to the pan and cook until browned. Stir in tomato puree thoroughly to combine.
- Finish Sauce: Pour in red wine and let it reduce by simmering. Add tomato passata, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, fresh basil, dried oregano, and sugar. Let the sauce simmer gently for 25 minutes until it thickens. Stir in freshly grated parmesan at the end for extra richness.
- Prep Bowls: Cut the tops off the crusty rolls and carefully hollow out their centers to create bread bowls. In a bowl, combine melted butter with garlic paste, finely chopped parsley, and parmesan cheese. Brush this mixture inside and outside of the rolls to infuse them with flavor.
- Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the prepared sauce. Toss well to evenly coat the spaghetti with the sauce.
- Assemble: Fill each hollowed bread roll generously with the spaghetti and sauce mixture, making sure some sauce is visible on top. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over each filled roll.
- Bake: Place the filled rolls on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until the bread is crisp and the mozzarella has melted. For a golden brown cheese topping, optionally broil the rolls for 1-2 minutes more, watching closely to prevent burning.
Notes
- Use crusty white rolls large enough to hold a good portion of spaghetti.
- Make sure to hollow out the bread carefully to avoid tearing the sides.
- Adjust seasoning in the sauce as needed before assembling.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef for a plant-based alternative and use vegetable stock.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread Bowls, Italian, Beef Sauce, Comfort Food, Baked Pasta, Mozzarella

