1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Bread Bowl Pasta

Bread Bowl Spaghetti

Featured in: Evening meals for every day

Imagine tucking into a dish where the container itself is part of the feast. 🍝 Bread Bowl Spaghetti is just that – a creative twist on a classic favorite. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the burst of flavors that come from combining classic spaghetti with the hearty, comforting texture of bread. The spaghetti is tossed in a rich, herby tomato sauce, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. 🍅🌿 The bread bowl, slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, soaks up the sauce, offering a deliciously unique way to enjoy a pasta meal. What makes this dish truly special are the little touches you can add – like a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or a handful of basil leaves for that fresh kick. It's a heartwarming meal that promises not just to satisfy your hunger but to offer a memorable dining experience. Perfect for a cozy night in or a delightful twist to your dinner parties. 🥖💕
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:10:15 GMT
A delicious bread bowl filled with spaghetti and meat sauce. Pin it
A delicious bread bowl filled with spaghetti and meat sauce. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Bread bowl spaghetti brings a playful twist to classic pasta night by nestling saucy spaghetti and cheese inside a crisp rustic bread loaf. The result is a meal that is cozy interactive and just a little bit indulgent — perfect for gatherings or an elevated family dinner. Every bite combines the chew of fresh-baked bread with hearty meat sauce and melty mozzarella.

I first made this for a movie night and it has turned into our go-to meal for celebrations. Serving pasta in bread bowls turns a simple dinner into an event everyone remembers.

Ingredients

  • Large round bread loaves such as sourdough or Italian: look for a solid crust to hold the sauce
  • Spaghetti: classic pasta shape holds sauce well aim for a good quality brand for a nice bite
  • Olive oil: extra flavor and keeps sauce smooth choose extra virgin if possible
  • Garlic: use fresh and mince just before cooking for best aroma
  • Onion: brings sweetness chop finely so it melds into the sauce
  • Ground beef: brings rich flavor select eighty five percent lean for best texture
  • Marinara sauce: shortcut for big flavor try to find one with only tomatoes herbs and olive oil
  • Salt and pepper: essential for seasoning
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: melty topping fresh or pre-shredded both work
  • Chopped fresh parsley: freshens and brightens at the end choose bright green bunches

Instructions

Prep the Bread Bowls:
Use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the tops of the bread loaves then scoop out the inside leaving a border about an inch thick all around. Save the bread pieces for dipping later.
Toast the Bread:
Arrange the hollowed bread bowls on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Pop them into a preheated oven at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit for five to seven minutes just until the edges feel a little crisp. This helps the bowls stay sturdy once filled.
Boil the Pasta:
Fill a large pot with water bring to a boil add a couple pinches of salt and cook the spaghetti until just al dente usually about eight to ten minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside so it stays firm when topped with sauce.
Start the Sauce Base:
Heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium. Toss in minced garlic and onion, stirring for two or three minutes until soft and fragrant. The slow sauté lets the aromatics mellow and sweeten.
Cook the Beef:
Add the ground beef into the skillet break it up using a wooden spoon and cook until it loses its pinkness. Drain any excess fat if needed so the sauce stays rich not greasy.
Simmer with Marinara:
Pour in your favorite marinara sauce directly over the browned beef. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Let everything simmer gently for five to seven minutes so the flavors come together and the sauce thickens just a bit.
Assemble the Bowls:
Divide the warm cooked spaghetti among each toasted bread bowl. Spoon a generous layer of the beefy marinara sauce over top making sure to reach the edges.
Cheese Time:
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over each filled bread bowl so every bite gets melty gooey cheese.
Final Bake:
Slide the filled bowls back onto the baking sheet. Bake for another five to seven minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling over the sides.
Garnish and Serve:
Scatter chopped fresh parsley right before serving and bring the reserved bread chunks to the table for dipping into the saucy bowls.
A delicious pasta dish with cheese and tomato sauce, served in a bowl. Pin it
A delicious pasta dish with cheese and tomato sauce, served in a bowl. | myhomemaderecipe.com

When I was little any meal in a bread bowl felt like such a treat. Even now tearing off warm crusty bread after every bite still feels a little magical especially with all the gooey cheese soaking in.

Storage Tips

Bread bowl spaghetti is best eaten fresh for crunch but leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to two days in an airtight container. I recommend separating the bread from leftover pasta and reheating gently in the oven to revive the crust. If you try to microwave it all together the bread gets soggy.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap the ground beef for ground turkey sausage or plant-based crumbles if you want a lighter or vegetarian take. Gluten-free bread loaves and pasta can work just fine if that fits your needs. Any tomato-based sauce can be the base — from classic basil to a spicy arrabbiata.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these pasta bowls with a crisp salad full of greens and a sprinkle of parmesan. You could add roasted vegetables on the side or build into a spread for game day. For a little extra comfort keep a bowl of warm marinara for extra dipping.

Cultural Context

Bread bowls have roots in creative American comfort food — think clam chowder in San Francisco or hearty stews in diners. The combo of Italian-American pasta with a rustic loaf turns familiar spaghetti into a social event that brings everyone to the table with smiles.

A delicious pasta dish is served in a bread bowl, topped with cheese and herbs. Pin it
A delicious pasta dish is served in a bread bowl, topped with cheese and herbs. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Try this bread bowl spaghetti and watch everyone reach for more. It is a meal that promises fun and comfort with every cheesy bite.

Bread Bowl Pasta

Bread Bowl Spaghetti combines the comfort of perfectly cooked spaghetti with the ingenious serving style of a rustic bread bowl. Discover the joy of each forkful.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Dinners

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 bread bowls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 4 large round bread loaves (sourdough or Italian).
02 1 lb spaghetti.
03 2 tbsp olive oil.
04 4 cloves garlic, minced.
05 1 onion, finely chopped.
06 1 lb ground beef.
07 1 can (24 oz) marinara sauce.
08 Salt and pepper to taste.
09 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
10 Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Using a sharp knife, cut the tops off the bread loaves and hollow out the centers, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Keep the removed bread pieces for serving.

Step 03

Place the hollowed bread loaves on the baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes until slightly crispy.

Step 04

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 05

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until soft and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 06

Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.

Step 07

Stir in marinara sauce with the beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 08

Divide cooked spaghetti into the hollowed bread loaves, then top each with the meat sauce.

Step 09

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over each bread bowl.

Step 10

Bake the bread bowls for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, using the reserved bread pieces for dipping.

Notes

  1. This hearty and unique dish combines the comfort of spaghetti with the rustic charm of a bread bowl, making it a fun and delicious meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Protein: 25 g