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Ingredients
Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️
Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.
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Equipment
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Bread Bowls
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the tops off the bread loaves and hollow out the centers, leaving about ¾-inch of bread around the sides and bottom to hold the filling.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and Italian seasoning.
- Brush the mixture generously inside and outside each hollowed loaf.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Parmesan along the inside for an extra cheesy crust (optional).
- Bake for 10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
- 💡 Pro Tip: Save the scooped-out bread pieces for croutons or breadcrumbs later!
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti
- Boil spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft and aromatic.
- Stir in marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Add cooked spaghetti and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Mix in grated Parmesan for richness.
Step 3: Assemble the Garlic Bread Bowls
- Fill each garlic bread bowl generously with saucy spaghetti.
- Sprinkle with extra mozzarella or Parmesan on top.
- Return to the oven for 5–7 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the bowls are crisp and golden on the edges.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
- Top with fresh basil, more Parmesan, or chili flakes if you like some heat. Serve warm and dig in — the garlic bread acts as your bowl and your side dish! 😋
Notes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate: Store leftover spaghetti separately from bread for up to 3 days. Reheat: Warm spaghetti in the microwave or skillet, and crisp bread in the oven for 5 minutes before refilling. Freeze: You can freeze the spaghetti (not the bread bowls) for up to 2 months.🥄 Variations
Cheesy Alfredo Bowls: Swap marinara for creamy Alfredo sauce. Meat Lovers’ Style: Add browned Italian sausage or ground beef to the sauce. Spicy Arrabbiata Version: Use a spicy tomato sauce with crushed red pepper. Vegan Twist: Use dairy-free butter, vegan cheese, and plant-based spaghetti sauce. Chicken Parmesan Bowls: Fill with spaghetti and crispy chicken cutlets, then top with mozzarella. Garlic Shrimp Pasta Bowls: Fill with shrimp tossed in garlic butter and lemon sauce. Pesto Pasta Bowls: Replace red sauce with basil pesto and top with pine nuts. Cheesy Baked Version: Layer spaghetti, ricotta, and mozzarella inside before baking. Mini Party Bites: Use dinner rolls for bite-sized appetizer versions. Creamy Tomato Spinach: Add spinach and a splash of cream for a luxurious sauce.❓ 10 FAQs
What kind of bread works best?Round loaves like sourdough or ciabatta hold their shape well and crisp beautifully. Can I make them ahead of time?
You can prep the bread bowls and pasta separately, then assemble and bake just before serving. Can I use store-bought garlic bread?
Yes! Just hollow it out and crisp it up before filling. Can I use other pasta shapes?
Absolutely — penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine all work well. How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Brush the inside with garlic butter and bake before adding the spaghetti — it creates a moisture barrier. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — use gluten-free pasta and bread. Can I use whole wheat bread?
Definitely! It adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber. Can I use a toaster oven?
Yes — just reduce bake time slightly since it heats faster. What sides go with this?
A fresh Caesar salad or roasted veggies complement it perfectly. Can kids eat this easily?
100%! It’s a fun, hands-on meal that kids love to eat — and help make!