Stuffed Garlic Bread

This garlic bread stuffed with spaghetti brings together two beloved Italian-American classics in one jaw-dropping dish. The crunchy garlic bread exterior holds a savory, meat-packed spaghetti filling topped with melty cheese, making it the ultimate comfort food that'll wow your family or guests at your next get-together.

I whipped this up for my nephew's birthday bash, and it was such a success that my family now asks for it at practically every gathering. There's something magical about biting through that crunchy bread into warm, saucy pasta – it feels comfortably familiar yet totally new at the same time.

Ingredients

• Italian bread loaf: Works as the container with its firm outer crust and fluffy inside
• Ground beef: Gives the sauce a robust taste and substantial texture
• Ground sausage: Brings extra flavor dimensions that beef can't deliver on its own
• Tomato sauce and paste: Work together to make a thick sauce that won't turn your bread mushy
• Diced onion: Offers a hint of sweetness when it cooks with the meat
• Spaghetti: Makes up the bulk of the filling; regular thickness works best
• Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty kick that lifts all the other flavors
• Mozzarella cheese: Delivers those gorgeous stretchy cheese pulls when it melts
• Italian seasoning blend: Gives you balanced herb flavor without opening ten different jars
• Garlic powder and minced garlic: Double up on garlic goodness for maximum flavor

How To Make Stuffed Spaghetti Garlic Bread

Cook your pasta:

Boil the spaghetti in very salty water for about 7 minutes until it's just firm to the bite. It'll cook a bit more in the oven, so keeping it slightly undercooked now prevents it from getting mushy later. Drain it really well so your filling isn't watery.

Whip up the meat sauce:

Cook both meats in a big pan, breaking them into tiny bits with your spoon. Throw in the chopped onion while the meat's still cooking so it softens in the meat juices. After draining off the extra fat, put everything back in the pan and mix in the tomato sauce, paste, and all your spices. Let it bubble away until it thickens up and the flavors come together.

Fix up your bread:

Slice the Italian loaf across the middle, then scoop out most of the inside, leaving about half an inch of bread all around. Don't toss the bread you remove – save it for another use. Brush the inside with butter, sprinkle on some garlic powder, and toast it until it's lightly golden. This stops the sauce from making your bread soggy.

Put it all together:

Mix your cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce so every noodle gets coated. Divide this mixture between your hollowed bread halves, packing it in well but not squishing it down too much. You want it full but not overflowing.

Add cheese and bake:

Scatter both Parmesan and mozzarella over your filled bread boats. These cheeses work together to give you amazing flavor and that stretchy texture everyone loves. Bake until the cheese completely melts and gets some golden spots on top.

Pin it

I found that toasting the hollowed bread before adding the filling is the real game-changer here. It creates a barrier that keeps the bread from getting soggy during baking. My family loves breaking off chunks of the crispy crust and using them to scoop up any sauce that spills out while they're eating.

Prep Ahead Ideas

This dish is perfect for busy days or when company's coming. You can make the meat sauce up to two days early and keep it in the fridge separate from the pasta. The bread can be hollowed out and kept in a sealed container at room temp for a day. When you're ready to eat, just toast the bread, heat up the sauce, mix it with freshly cooked pasta, then put it all together and bake. This way, everything stays the right texture but saves you tons of time on serving day.

Tasty Twists

The standard version tastes amazing, but don't be afraid to mix things up. Try swapping the red sauce for Alfredo for a creamy take. If you don't eat meat, sub in some sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers instead. Heat fans can toss in some red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños. And feel free to play around with different cheeses like provolone, fontina, or even some crumbled blue cheese for a more complex flavor.

Pin it

What To Serve With It

This rich dish pairs perfectly with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. The mix of warm, hearty stuffed bread and cool, crunchy greens makes for a complete meal. If you're feeding a crowd, add some roasted veggies or a platter with olives, marinated artichokes, and sliced meats. Each stuffed bread half can be cut into 2 or 3 pieces depending on how hungry everyone is, making it great for sharing at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use pre-made garlic bread for this?

Totally! Store-bought garlic bread works fine. Just be gentle when hollowing it and give it a good toast for best results.

→ What can replace sausage in the recipe?

You can swap ground sausage for turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat. Adjust spices to suit the flavor you want.

→ How can I stop the bread from ending up soggy?

Toast the bread’s insides with butter and garlic before filling. Don’t go overboard with sauce—it helps keep the texture just right.

→ Is there a vegetarian option for this?

Definitely! Use marinara sauce instead of meat sauce and add cooked veggies like mushrooms or zucchini to keep it hearty and tasty.

→ What sides go well with Stuffed Garlic Bread?

Try pairing it with a fresh salad, roasted veggies, or a light soup to balance the richness of this dish.