Experience a delightful twist on classic Italian cuisine with “Comfort Twist: Stuffed Spaghetti Bread.” This innovative dish takes all the beloved flavors of a hearty spaghetti dinner and encases them in a beautifully golden, crusty bread loaf. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a fun family dinner, this stuffed bread is both satisfying and visually impressive, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Spaghetti Bread:
- All-in-One Meal: Combines pasta, sauce, and bread into a single, easy-to-serve dish.
- Great for Sharing: Perfect for slicing and sharing, making it ideal for social events or family meals.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable with different fillings based on your favorite pasta dishes.
- Convenient: Excellent way to use leftover spaghetti, transforming it into a new and exciting meal.
Ingredients Notes For Stuffed Spaghetti Bread:
- Bread Dough: Use either homemade or store-bought pizza dough as the base for wrapping the spaghetti.
- Spaghetti: Cooked al dente, preferably cooled or from leftovers. Mix with your sauce of choice.
- Marinara Sauce: Rich and hearty, mixed with the spaghetti. You can also add meat, vegetables, or cheese to the sauce.
- Cheese: Mozzarella works well for its meltiness, but you can also incorporate Parmesan for added flavor.
- Garlic Butter: Melted butter mixed with minced garlic to brush on the bread for a savory finish.
- Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano to sprinkle on top for added flavor and color.
Recipe Steps:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Bread Dough:
- Roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Assemble the Bread:
- Spread the cooked, sauced spaghetti evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and any additional toppings like cooked sausage or vegetables over the spaghetti.
- Carefully roll the dough over the spaghetti, starting from one long side, similar to rolling a cinnamon roll. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Add Finishing Touches:
- Place the roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the top with garlic butter and sprinkle with herbs and a little extra cheese if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Serve:
- Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm slices with extra marinara sauce for dipping if desired.
Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm slices in the oven or microwave to refresh the bread and melt the cheese.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 loaf Italian bread or French bread
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 8 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, for added heat
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, stir well, and simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Bread:
- Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Hollow out the center of each half to make room for the filling, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce:
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce to coat evenly.
- Stuff the Bread:
- Spoon the spaghetti and sauce mixture into the hollowed-out bread halves. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top of the spaghetti.
- Bake the Bread:
- Place the stuffed bread halves on a baking sheet. Brush the outside of the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the bread sit for a few minutes after removing it from the oven, then cut into slices.
- Serve warm, with extra marinara sauce on the side if desired.