There’s something undeniably comforting about garlic bread. It’s warm, crisp on the outside, soft inside, and packed with garlicky goodness. Now imagine scooping cheesy spaghetti into a buttery, toasty bread bowl—yep, it’s as amazing as it sounds. I first made these on a rainy Thursday when I needed dinner to be both comforting and fun. My kids devoured them before I could blink, and I’ve made them a dozen times since. This is one of those easy dinner recipes that doesn’t ask for much but gives you everything—flavor, satisfaction, and maybe a little nostalgia. You can even let everyone build their own bowl at the table. It’s messy in the best way. Whether you’re craving homemade pasta recipes or just want something a little outside the spaghetti norm, this hits the spot. It pairs that rich tomato sauce with garlicky Portuguese rolls and a blanket of gooey cheese. If you’re into cheesy chicken recipes or easy pasta recipes, keep this one on standby. And if you’re like me and obsessed with my recipes and easy bread recipes, this one’s going right on your fridge.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
- 4) How to Make Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
- 5) Tips for Making Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
- 6) Making Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
- 8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!
- 9) Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- This recipe turns Portuguese rolls into edible garlic bread bowls.
- It’s one of the best easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights.
- You can fill these bowls with leftover pasta or freshly cooked spaghetti.
- The garlic butter brings major flavor with minimal effort.
2) Easy Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
Some nights just call for something fun, fast, and full of carbs. That’s how these spaghetti garlic bread bowls became a family favorite. You grab a crusty roll, hollow it out, brush in garlic butter, and stuff it with saucy spaghetti. It’s like the comfort of pasta and garlic bread had a delicious little baby.
I’ve made this when I’ve had leftover pasta and no idea what to do with it. I’ve also made it fresh when I wanted to impress friends without trying too hard. Whether you go homemade or store-bought, it works. These bowls hold their shape, stay crisp, and deliver all the gooey cheesy satisfaction you crave from good homemade pasta recipes.
This recipe lands firmly on my list of easy dinner recipes. You only need a few things, and most of them are probably in your kitchen already. From the cheesy chicken recipes crowd to folks looking up easy bread recipes, this one ticks a lot of boxes. Even if you’ve never tried a Portuguese rolls recipe before, you’ll nail it. And honestly? The results feel kinda magical.

3) Ingredients for Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
Portuguese Rolls: These sturdy, crusty rolls are just the right size for stuffing. They hold up to all that warm sauce and melted cheese without turning soggy. If you’ve never used them before, now’s your moment.
Cooked Spaghetti: Use what you love. I usually grab spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara. If I have leftover homemade pasta from the night before, I use that. It makes everything faster and cozier.
Shredded Mozzarella: You want that stretchy, gooey cheese pull moment. Mozzarella melts beautifully and wraps around the pasta like a warm hug.
Grated Parmesan: This sharp, salty topping finishes the bowls off perfectly. Parmesan adds that deep umami flavor that always makes pasta better.
Unsalted Butter: Melted and mixed with garlic, it’s the foundation for your buttery bread shell. Go with unsalted so you can control the flavor better.
Fresh Garlic: Chop or press a couple of cloves. Garlic is the star of the show here. The smell alone while it bakes? Totally worth it.
Chopped Parsley: Optional, but adds a fresh, green pop that makes everything feel more balanced. I like to sprinkle it on just before serving.

4) How to Make Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
Step 1. Set your oven to 375°F. While that’s heating up, slice the tops off the rolls and gently pull out the center. Try not to tear through the bottom. You want a nice hollowed shell.
Step 2. Melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic. Now brush this mixture inside each bread bowl. Make sure you get into every corner. This is where the flavor really starts.
Step 3. Pop the rolls onto a baking sheet and let them bake for about 5 to 6 minutes. You’re not toasting them completely, just giving them a head start.
Step 4. Spoon in the warm spaghetti. If it’s fresh, great. If you’re reheating leftovers, make sure it’s hot so it helps melt the cheese from underneath.
Step 5. Top with a generous amount of mozzarella and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Don’t be shy. This is where that “easy dinner recipes” magic happens.
Step 6. Bake the bowls again for about 10 to 12 minutes. The cheese should bubble and maybe brown a little at the edges. That’s your cue they’re ready.
Step 7. Sprinkle with parsley if you’re feeling extra. Then dig in, napkin at the ready. These things are saucy in the best way.

5) Tips for Making Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
Don’t skip the pre-bake. That first trip to the oven is what keeps the bread from turning into mush once the spaghetti goes in. Think of it like giving the bread a little armor.
If your spaghetti’s been chilling in the fridge, reheat it before stuffing the bowls. Warm pasta helps melt the cheese from below and makes everything come together faster.
You can use cheesy chicken recipes for the filling too. Something like Alfredo with rotisserie chicken? Amazing. This trick works for so many easy pasta recipes, you’ll start thinking of new combos every week.
6) Making Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Ahead of Time
Planning ahead? You can prep the rolls and spaghetti separately. Hollow the rolls and brush in the garlic butter, then wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to eat, pop them in the oven and follow the steps from there.
You can also prep the spaghetti ahead of time and just reheat it when assembling. It’s a low-stress dinner that still feels special. I’ve packed them for bake-at-work lunches too. Just keep the filling in one container and the rolls in another, and assemble right before baking.
This method is one of the best parts of this recipe. It gives all the comfort of homemade pasta recipes without locking you in the kitchen for hours. It’s adaptable, flexible, and fits into any schedule.
7) Storing Leftover Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls
If you’ve got leftovers (which is rare around here), wrap them in foil and keep them in the fridge. They hold up well for a day or two.
To reheat, unwrap and pop them into the oven at 350°F until warmed through. The microwave works too, but the bread gets soft instead of crisp. I’ve done both depending on how hungry I am.
These bowls make a solid lunch the next day. Whether you went with classic spaghetti or a variation like a cheesy chicken version, the bread still holds up. Just avoid freezing them, as the texture changes too much.
8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!
9) Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe

Spaghetti Garlic Bread Bowls – Easy Dinner Recipes Made Fun
Ingredients
- 4 Portuguese rolls
- 3 cups cooked spaghetti (with marinara or meat sauce)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the tops off the Portuguese rolls and gently hollow out the centers, creating space for the filling.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic. Brush the inside of each hollowed roll with the garlic butter.
- Place rolls on a baking sheet and bake for 5–6 minutes, just until they begin to crisp.
- Fill each roll with warm spaghetti, then sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Return to oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Garnish with parsley if you’d like and serve hot. Napkins highly recommended!
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 bread bowl, Calories: 460, Sugar: 3g, Sodium: 780mg, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Carbohydrates: 48g, Fiber: 3g, Protein: 18g, Cholesterol: 35mg
Recipe by Marsha, from Healthy Living Mindset


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