Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe

There’s something so delightfully comforting about mixing two classics: garlic butter’s rich, savory goodness and spaghetti’s hearty, saucy charm—all nestled inside a warm, crusty bread bowl. This Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe is the ultimate cozy meal that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious to savor. If you’re looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels like a special treat without any fuss, this recipe is your new go-to.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Irresistibly comforting: The combination of spaghetti smothered in cheesy sauce inside a buttery bread bowl is pure warmth on a plate.
Simple ingredients, big impact: With pantry staples like ground beef, garlic butter, and mozzarella, you can whip this up anytime.
Fun and fabulous presentation: Serving spaghetti in a bread bowl is sure to spark smiles and applause around your table.
Perfect for sharing: Whether a family dinner or casual gathering, this recipe feeds a crowd and satisfies all ages.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This recipe shines because it keeps things straightforward yet flavorful. Each ingredient plays a key role—from the crusty rolls that become edible bowls, to the garlic butter that elevates every bite with richness and aroma. Everything works together for perfect texture, flavor, and that golden finish.

• Round rolls: Choose sturdy white kaiser rolls or any firm bread rolls that hold their shape well when hollowed out.
• Spaghetti noodles: Use your favorite pasta; plain spaghetti works best to soak up all that sauce.
• Ground beef: Lean or regular beef, browned to juicy perfection, adds hearty flavor.
• Spaghetti sauce: Use a quality jarred sauce or homemade, depending on your preference.
• Mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded melts beautifully inside the rolls for gooey goodness.
• Garlic butter: Melted butter infused with minced garlic, kosher salt, and parsley gives the bread an irresistible golden crust and aromatic punch.

How to Make Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Spaghetti Filling

Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and no pink remains—this builds a rich base flavor for your spaghetti. Add your spaghetti sauce along with a pinch of salt and pepper, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Finally, toss in the cooked spaghetti noodles to soak up all the saucy goodness, then cover and set aside to keep warm.

Step 2: Mix the Garlic Butter

While the sauce simmers, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, kosher salt, and fresh parsley in a medium bowl. This garlic butter will not only add incredible flavor but also give your bread bowls that gorgeous golden glow and a subtle herbal freshness that’s utterly addictive.

Step 3: Hollow Out the Rolls

Carefully cut off the tops of your round rolls and scoop out the insides, leaving a sturdy shell to hold your spaghetti filling. It’s key not to cut all the way through the bottom so that the bread bowl can contain all the delicious sauce without any leaks. Place the hollowed rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet—this setup keeps things tidy and helps the rolls crisp up evenly.

Step 4: Butter, Fill, and Cheese Them Up

Brush the insides and outsides of each bread bowl generously with the garlic butter—about 2 to 3 tablespoons per roll. Then, start layering: a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella inside the bowl’s base, followed by half a cup of your savory spaghetti mixture, and another tablespoon of mozzarella cheese on top to create that luscious melty layer. This layering makes every bite cheesy and flavorful from the center to the crust.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop the filled bread bowls into an oven preheated to 350°F and bake for 7 to 10 minutes. You want the bread exterior to turn golden brown and crisp, while the cheese inside melts into a bubbly, irresistible pool. Once done, finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and a bright herbal note.

How to Serve Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is a classic garnish here, adding a pop of color and light herbal freshness to balance the richness. You can also sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. A drizzle of olive oil or a few basil leaves makes for a pretty finish too!

Side Dishes

Since the Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe is fairly hearty on its own, light sides work best. A crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, or a simple Caesar salad all complement the richness beautifully. Garlic breadsticks or a refreshing cucumber salad make great companions as well.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the bread bowls on a wooden platter with small ramekins of extra spaghetti sauce or garlic butter for dipping. You can also customize each bread bowl with different fillings—try swapping the beef for Italian sausage or a vegetarian tomato and mushroom sauce. Adding colorful veggies or fresh herbs on top before baking amps up the visual appeal too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers from this Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the bread bowls separate from the sauce if possible to preserve the texture, or wrap each bread bowl tightly to retain moisture and freshness.

Freezing

You can freeze the spaghetti filling separately in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The bread bowls don’t freeze as well once filled, as they tend to get soggy after thawing. For best results, reheat the frozen sauce and fill fresh rolls when you’re ready to enjoy again.

Reheating

Reheat leftover bread bowl spaghetti in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the bread regains some crispness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust nice and crunchy; however, the microwave is okay if you’re in a hurry, just beware the bread will soften.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Bread Bowl Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Recipe is a true showstopper that’s both playful and comforting. It’s the kind of dish that brings people together around the table, inviting smiles with every delicious bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a beloved favorite in your recipe collection—perfect for nights when you want a little indulgence and a lot of flavor all in one cozy package.

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