noodles/recipes/sandwiches

Carbs on Carbs: Cheesy Spaghetti Bolognese on Crispy Garlic Bread Boats

Posted January 13, 2015 by Stephanie
spaghetti garlic bread boat recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

spaghetti garlic bread boat recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

spaghetti garlic bread boat recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com spaghetti garlic bread boat recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

spaghetti garlic bread boat recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Hai! I’m really on a roll with the … shall we call it, drunk food lately, huh? I guess there’s just something about winter that makes me want to pack on a little extra for warmth. I know everyone out there is eating healthy salad bowls, but I’m totally not sorry about this unapologetically carb on carb action. It’s a thing of beauty so embrace it!

When I was little, I would always beg my mom to buy those ready-to-bake garlicky cheese topped French bread boats that you would find at the grocery store. Sometimes, when she made spaghetti (always with ground pork), she would buy half a loaf and bake it up. I’d be in carb heaven. Funny thing is, my mom’s meat sauce was never quite like (read: not as delicious) the meat sauce that I had at my friend’s houses or even the school cafeteria.

I didn’t know it back then, but now I know it’s because the meat sauce that I was obsessed with as a kid was a version of bolognese. Bolognese is the bomb. It’s rich, hearty, and so so good. I kind of sort of had an obsession with it then. Matter of fact, I still do. I love Bolognese sauce so much that when we were in Europe last year, I convinced Mike to take a little side trip to Bologna, the home of my ultimate sauce. It was a pilgrimage for me – I HAD to go and have bolognese in Bologna. I was convinced that it would be the BEST bolognese I would ever have in my life.

Spoiler: it wasn’t. It was delicious but I think the fact that it was over 100°F kind of dampened my mood. What’s more is that I convinced Mike that I wanted to check out the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, a gorgeous church with even more breathtaking views of the rolling Italian countryside. Google told me it was a nice little slightly upward 2 and bit mile stroll under a roofed arcade. Roofed, I thought? That meant it was shady and therefore a breeze, right? Well, what Google didn’t tell me was about were the stairs, or the fact that there used to be a cable car to take people to the top of the hill.

Apparently, nowadays, the only people who climb up the mountain (yes, it’s a mountain, not a hill!) are on a pilgrimage, suckers for punishment (by that I mean runners), and tourists. I ended up being in all three categories. I thought I was on a food pilgrimage, but I ended up on a literal pilgrimage to a church. There I was, sweating in the heat while the hardcore Bolognans were running up and down the stairs making me look incredibly weak. So yeah, kind of sort of made my whole Bologna experience a hot and sweaty mess.

But, you guys, the view at the top was totally worth it. And there was even a bonus breeze! It was glorious. The only thing that could have taken it over the top for me was if there was a little cart serving up tagliatelle bolognese. Total missed opportunity. Anyway, even after all that I still LOVE bolognese, all the time and in all the places.

So now, whenever I’m feeling just a little bit chilly, I throw on a giant pot of bolognese and think about that time that I was so hot hiking up a hill that I got my first ever heat rash. It was probably not a good idea to walk from our hotel to the base of Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, but when I’m on vacation I love walking. I seriously thought it would be easy! If you ever go to Bologna, you should definitely make your way to San Luca. There’s a bus that takes you to the base and you can make your way up slowly to the top. Know your limits! And don’t forget to eat oodles of noodles in bolognese sauce while you’re there.

Oh, and in case you are considering visiting Bologna, just a heads up. Last year, when I met the lovely Valentina at the Saveur Food Blog Awards and told her that I visited, she was shocked. Apparently most people who go to Italy don’t make a stop. It’s kind of a university town, if you know what I mean by that.

And on that note, I think this recipe would fit right in with the university crowds! I feel a little guilty even calling this a recipe, but sometimes you need a reminder of the greatness of bread boats. Don’t be afraid of carbs friends. Carbs are your friends. They fill you up, make you happy, and never ever judge. They exist to give you pleasure so why deny them of their life purpose? C’mon, give in a little and have some carbs on carbs. You know you want to…

Spaghetti Garlic Bread Boat Recipe
makes as many as needed

  • Italian roll, sliced in half
  • garlic butter or butter and a clove of garlic cut in half
  • left over spaghetti tossed in meat sauce, warmed
  • extra warmed meat sauce, as needed
  • shredded mozzarella, as needed
  • finely chopped flat leaf parsley, if desired)

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the garlic butter on the bread, or spread on the butter and rub with your garlic clove. Bake the bread for about 5 minutes, until slightly browned and crispy. Remove, top with spaghetti, extra sauce and a generous amount of mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melty, bubbly and delicious, about 10 minutes. Remove, top with flat leaf parsley and enjoy!

*If you don’t want to do the extra step of crisping up the garlic bread, you can skip it, but I think the crisp bread pairs nicely with the spaghetti.

PS – As you can see, I’m trying out a longer format. Yes? No? Tell me what you think!

spaghetti garlic bread boat recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

39 Comments

  1. I swear you have fancied up my childhood after school (chessy bolognese jaffles) and I am totally drooling over it. Might be drying up in Australia but this will definitively put the wind back in my sails.
    PS. Love the .GIF :)

  2. Like the longer format, love the story and hallelujah that someone isn’t afraid of carbs :)

  3. Carbs are your friend! Amen. I love the format and the photos!

  4. Tom says:

    This recipe is a site for sore eyes. So craving carbs right now. We’ve been eating a lot of lean protein and then about once a week splurge on a recipe like this. And enjoy every bite of it you can bet!

  5. Totally a carb lover over here!! I meannnn, who would miss out on japanese potato salad sandwich? Creamy and slightly sweet potato salad (that kewpie mayo!) in a super soft piece of white bread. YES!!

  6. Girl I am like you. Bolognese is the bomb.com. It makes me happy and so does this dish.

  7. Billy says:

    Looks scrumptious! I think I will try it without the meat sauce and load up on a vegetable based sauce. Thanks for sharing!

  8. Row says:

    Love this! The more carbs, the merrier!

  9. Don says:

    Looks delicious! Also what is that amazing font you’ve used on the main image?

    1. steph says:

      it’s my handwriting :)

  10. Alana says:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the longer format. I love getting my tri-weekly dose of Steph stories. You should write a book–oh wait you did (hehehe and I love it)–you should write another book!! I’ve been taking a week off carbs because *cookies* so I am living vicariously through these garlic bread boats topped in yummy yummy bolognese right now!!

  11. BREAD BOATS?!? TOPPED WITH SPAGHETTI?!?!

    Can we have a real life carb party?

    1. steph says:

      um YES!!! it would be the best party in all the land!

  12. Holy Jeebus, this carb on carb action is too good to be true.

  13. Nicola says:

    Love the longer format and love your stories! Also love this carb on carb action. I adore carbs and tried to give them up once just to see if I could. I lasted exactly through breakfast….yeah, that’s it. Then I decided never to do anything like that ever again. Carbs for life.

  14. Yessssss carbs on carbs! This looks amazing!

  15. This brings me BACK to scoopin’ up my spaghetti and meatballs with tons of garlic bread as a kiddo and I LOVE IT. The only thing better than carbs is more carbs!!

  16. Kathryn says:

    They only thing better than carbs for dinner is double carbs for dinner.

  17. Laura says:

    Ohmygosh this is giving me flashbacks. My mom used to make this leftover spaghetti thing for us when we were kids–all stirred together with a couple beaten eggs, some breadcrumbs and extra parmesan–slap it all in a cast iron pan, flatten it, flip it like a pancake, and then serve it to us in slices with extra grated parm on top. And I would INSIST on eating it between two slices of crusty bread with extra marinara. Just a delicious carb coma. I like your style, girl. xo

  18. Erika says:

    Yes to cheesy spaghetti boats.. OMGeee this looks killer.

  19. Holy spaghetti. Can I be a guest at your dinner table? I’ll do anything.

  20. Elyse says:

    Carbs are my best friend, totally love this idea.

  21. dhruv talwar says:

    Hi steph!
    I love the longer format- I love how you’re able to so perfectly share your emotion through your writing.

    I’ve been following you since your momofukufor2 days. Loved pretty much every single post since.

    Love from India! Hit me up if you ever visit I’d love to show you and your partner(if he comes) around.

  22. Meaghan says:

    “Carbs are your friends. They fill you up, make you happy, and never ever judge. They exist to give you pleasure so why deny them of their life purpose?”

    I love this! And can’t wait to make these for my spaghetti-loving husband.

    Also, great work with the blog! It is definitely the most visually appealing one I’ve come across to date.

  23. ananyah says:

    aaaah that looks like proper comfort food. I’d add some more cheese to the top of the bread before the bolognese because who doesn’t love cheese?!

    YUM!

  24. I happen to love carbs. And I think this is one champion idea! Very clever. I immediately sense this will be a popular dish in my world.

  25. Kimie says:

    Oh my goodness… that looks amazing! I was thinking about making bolognese on Sunday night for dinner, and these little boats are genius.

  26. Jennie says:

    Oh my….. This looks incredible. Actually incredible. Carbs on carbs is my dream kind of meal! This takes me right back to when I was little and my Grandma would cook us our favourite tea when we went to visit, spaghetti bolognese and chips – double carb heaven! I’m defiantly going to have to make this very soon! Thank you!

    Jennie

    http://www.scarletscorchdroppers.com

  27. O my goodness! I was exhausted just reading about your trek. However, the view was totally worth it (especially since you don’t have to do it ever again!). This post totally counts as a recipe…cheesy? garlic bread? Bolognese? Too delicious! I’ll definitely enjoy making this on Saturday :) Happy Friday, Stephanie! Enjoy a restful weekend.

  28. Abby says:

    ooh, these look so delish, Stephanie! love!!

  29. Andrew says:

    Yum … would like to give it a try.

  30. Am definitely going to try this like seriously. I hope I get it right. Thanks for sharing….

  31. Aleksandra says:

    This is just gorgeous. I can’t wait to make a version!

  32. Emily says:

    I dig the long form! I read the whole thing after clicking though from my feedly that doesn’t always show the photo of the dish.

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