Description
This Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread recipe combines two all-time favorites—spaghetti and garlic bread—into a delightful, crowd-pleasing dish. Italian sausage and marinara sauce complement the perfectly toasted garlic bread, making it a hearty meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Garlic Spread
- 2 (16-ounce) loaves French bread
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 8 ounces spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions and drained
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- Olive oil, if necessary
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for toasting the bread and baking the assembled dish.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce and Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the Italian sausage until fully cooked with no pink remaining. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet; add olive oil if needed to maintain this amount.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and pour in the marinara sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat it evenly with the sauce mixture.
- Make Garlic Butter Spread: In a small bowl, mix together the room-temperature butter, 2-3 cloves minced garlic, and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning until smooth and well blended.
- Prepare Bread: Hollow out the center of each French bread loaf, leaving about a 1/2-inch border all around to hold the filling. Divide the garlic butter spread in half and spread evenly inside each bread half.
- Toast Bread: Place the bread halves in the preheated oven and toast until the garlic butter is melted and the bread edges are golden and crisp.
- Assemble and Bake: Evenly divide the spaghetti and sauce mixture between the two toasted bread halves. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over each. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned, and the spaghetti is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil on top for a fresh touch. Using a serrated knife, cut the stuffed garlic breads into individual slices and serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier version, consider adding red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier, meltier texture if preferred.
- If French bread is too large, smaller baguettes can be used adjusting quantities accordingly.
- The dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
