Description
Cheesy Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bread Boats are a delicious way to reinvent leftover spaghetti by stuffing it inside freshly hollowed hoagie rolls coated with flavorful garlic butter and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This comforting Italian-inspired dish combines crispy garlic bread, rich marinara-coated pasta, and gooey cheese for a perfect quick meal or snack.
Ingredients
Bread and Filling
- Four 6″ Fresh Hoagie rolls
- 2 cups leftover spaghetti lightly coated in sauce, warmed
- 2 cups marinara sauce, warmed and divided
- 4 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Freshly grated Parmesan or Grana Padano, for garnish
Garlic Butter
- 8 tablespoons unsalted melted butter
- 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons garlic powder (or 2 teaspoons minced garlic)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder (or minced garlic), kosher salt, and oregano until well combined. Keep the mixture warm for brushing.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get ready for baking the bread boats.
- Hollow Bread Rolls: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut an oval or football-shaped opening along the top outer portion of each hoagie roll. Gently remove the top ‘lid’ of the bread without breaking it. Hollow out the inside of the bread boat if desired, being careful not to puncture the sides or bottom.
- Brush with Garlic Butter and Add Cheese: Place the hollowed rolls and their lids on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the insides of the bread boats and lids with the prepared garlic butter. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the insides of the boats and over the lids.
- Bake Initial Cheese Layer: Bake the bread boats and lids in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, until the mozzarella just starts to melt and the bread edges become slightly crisp.
- Fill Boats with Spaghetti: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Evenly fill each bread boat to the brim with the warm, sauce-coated leftover spaghetti. To keep the filling moist, spoon a few additional tablespoons of warmed marinara sauce on top of the pasta inside each boat. Reserve the remaining sauce for dipping.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Final Bake: Top the spaghetti with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Return the bread boats to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese melts fully and the bread is toasted and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the boats from the oven and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Grana Padano on top. Serve immediately with reserved marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh hoagie rolls and slightly cooled leftover spaghetti coated in sauce.
- If you prefer, substitute garlic powder with fresh minced garlic for a more intense garlic flavor.
- Adjust the amount of marinara sauce in the filling to keep the pasta moist without making the bread soggy.
- These bread boats can be customized with additional toppings like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or chopped basil.
- Use parchment paper on the baking tray to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Leftover baked bread boats can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread, Comfort Foods, Italian, Leftovers, Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
