Spaghetti Bread Bowls (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Bread Bowl Components
01 -
6 crusty white dinner rolls
02 -
1/2 cup melted butter
03 -
2 cloves garlic, minced to a paste
04 -
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
05 -
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Hearty Meat Sauce
06 -
1 pound lean ground beef
07 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
08 -
3 garlic cloves, minced
09 -
1 tablespoon concentrated tomato paste
10 -
1/2 cup dry red wine
11 -
2 cups smooth tomato passata
12 -
1 cup rich beef broth
13 -
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
14 -
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
15 -
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 -
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
17 -
6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
18 -
Extra virgin olive oil for sautéing
→ Final Assembly
19 -
8 ounces thin spaghetti pasta
20 -
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
# Instructions:
01 -
Warm a generous splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and let it cook gently until it turns golden and becomes tender, roughly 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until wonderfully fragrant. Now add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns beautifully for 5-7 minutes.
02 -
Stir the tomato paste right into the beef mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes until it deepens in color. Pour in that red wine and let it bubble away for 2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate while concentrating those rich flavors.
03 -
Add the tomato passata, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, oregano, and most of your fresh basil (keep some aside for a beautiful garnish). Turn the heat down low and let everything simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce becomes thick and luxurious. Fold in the Parmesan cheese and take it off the heat.
04 -
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Carefully slice the tops off each crusty roll and hollow them out, leaving sturdy walls about half an inch thick all around. Save those bread pieces for making breadcrumbs later!
05 -
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic paste, chopped parsley, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan until well combined. Using a pastry brush, generously paint both the inside and outside of each bread bowl with this aromatic mixture.
06 -
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Cook your spaghetti just until al dente according to the package directions. Drain thoroughly, then toss it directly into the meat sauce until every strand is beautifully coated.
07 -
Arrange the prepared bread bowls on a baking sheet. Fill each one generously with the saucy spaghetti mixture - don't hold back, pile it high! Crown each bowl with a generous helping of shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 -
Slide into your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the bread turns crispy and the cheese melts into bubbly perfection. For an extra golden top, switch on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch like a hawk to prevent burning. Sprinkle with your reserved fresh basil before serving these show-stopping bowls.
# Notes:
01 -
These creative handheld pasta bowls make fantastic conversation starters for casual get-togethers or memorable family dinners that everyone will talk about.
02 -
Save yourself time by preparing the meat sauce a full day ahead - the flavors actually improve overnight and make assembly a breeze.
03 -
Want to make it vegetarian? Simply swap the ground beef for meaty mushrooms or your favorite plant-based meat substitute for equally delicious results.