Spaghetti Boats Recipe

These Spaghetti Boats are a creative and delicious twist on a classic spaghetti dinner! Tender spaghetti noodles are tossed with a flavorful meat sauce and nestled inside a golden, garlic-buttered bread boat. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, it’s a fun and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fun and festive: These spaghetti boats are a unique and exciting way to serve spaghetti.
  • Flavorful: The combination of savory meat sauce, garlic bread, and melted cheese is simply irresistible.
  • Easy to make: This recipe is surprisingly simple to put together, even though it looks impressive.
  • Perfect for sharing: It’s a great dish for a family dinner or a casual get-together.

Ingredients for Spaghetti Boats

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create a fun and flavorful meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Spaghetti:

  • Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
  • Onion and Garlic: Aromatic essentials that add depth and flavor to the sauce.
  • Spaghetti Sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce, or make your own!
  • Kosher Salt, Italian Seasoning, Black Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall flavor.
  • Spaghetti Noodles: Cooked al dente for the perfect texture.

For the Garlic Bread Boats:

  • French Bread: A crusty loaf of French bread is perfect for creating the boat.
  • Salted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the bread.
  • Garlic Powder and Dried Parsley Flakes: Create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a gooey, cheesy topping.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

How to Make Spaghetti Boats

Step 1: Preheat and Cook the Ground Beef

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic over medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease.

Step 2: Simmer the Sauce

Stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer while you cook the spaghetti and prepare the bread boat.

Step 3: Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it. Add the cooked spaghetti to the ground beef mixture and stir to combine.

Step 4: Prepare the Bread Boat

Cut a large oval around the top of the French bread, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Remove the middle section of the bread to create a boat. Be careful not to cut too deep or wide.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter and Toast

Mix together the softened butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley flakes. Spread the mixture all over the inside of the bread boat. Place the bread boat on the prepared sheet pan and bake for 5-8 minutes, or until toasted.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Fill the toasted bread boat with the spaghetti mixture. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, cut the spaghetti boat into large slices, and serve hot.

Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Pasta doneness: Cook the pasta to al dente for a firmer texture, or cook it a couple of minutes longer for a softer texture.
  • Bread boat: Be careful not to cut the bread boat too deep or wide, or it may not hold up to the spaghetti filling.
  • Cheese variations: Feel free to use other types of cheese, such as provolone or a blend of Italian cheeses.

How to Serve Spaghetti Boats

Spaghetti Boats Recipe
  • Family dinner: This dish is perfect for a fun and satisfying family dinner.
  • Game day: It’s also a great option for a game day gathering or potluck.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover spaghetti and bread boat separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat the spaghetti gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Reheat the bread boat in the oven or toaster oven until warmed through.

Spaghetti Boats Recipe

FAQs

Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, you can use other types of bread, such as sourdough or ciabatta. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the spaghetti filling.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the spaghetti and meat sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble and bake the spaghetti boats just before serving.

Can I freeze this recipe?
It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh, as freezing and thawing can affect the texture of the bread and pasta.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Simply omit the ground beef and use a meatless sauce or add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Spaghetti Boats. I hope you enjoy it!

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Spaghetti Boats Recipe

Spaghetti Boats Recipe

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course, Pasta
  • Method: Baking, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Spaghetti Boats recipe is a fun and delicious twist on classic spaghetti and garlic bread. A hollowed-out loaf of French bread is filled with a hearty spaghetti and meat sauce, topped with melted cheese, and baked to perfection.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces spaghetti noodles

Garlic Bread Boat:

  • 1 loaf French bread
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Brown Beef: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. In a skillet pan over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook and crumble the ground beef. Once the ground beef is no longer pink, drain the excess fat and grease from the pan.
  2. Make Sauce: Stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Reduce the heat to LOW and allow it to simmer while you cook the spaghetti noodles and prepare the bread boat.
  3. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions. When the pasta is done, drain it in a colander but do not rinse it. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles into the ground beef mixture and stir to combine everything together.
  4. Prepare Bread Boat: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the garlic bread boat. Cut a large oval around the top of your bread, leaving at least a ½-inch border around the edge. Remove the middle section of the bread so you end up with a boat.
  5. Toast Bread: Mix together the softened butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Spread it all over the inside of the bread boat. Place the garlic bread boat onto the prepared sheet pan and cook until toasted, about 5-8 minutes.
  6. Assemble and Bake: Fill the toasted garlic bread boat with the prepared spaghetti from the skillet pan. Top it with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Serve: Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese, cut the spaghetti boat into large slices, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Pasta: Cook the pasta to al dente for a firmer texture or a couple of minutes longer for a softer pasta.
  • Bread: Be careful not to cut the bread too deep or wide, or it might not hold up to the spaghetti.
  • Cheese: You can use your favorite type of cheese for this recipe.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side salad or your favorite vegetables.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 600kcal
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 1200mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

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