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Pasta in Crusty Bowls

Pasta in Crusty Bowls: A Fun, Flavorful Dinner You'll Love

Indulge in Pasta in Crusty Bowls, a delightful Italian-fusion dish transforming a classic meal into an interactive feast everyone loves!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Spaghetti and Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Cooking fat for sautéing; feel free to use vegetable oil if needed.
  • 1 medium White Onion Adds natural sweetness; can be substituted with yellow onion.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Essential for aromatic flavor; fresh cloves will yield the best taste.
  • 500 g Ground Beef Provides richness in the sauce; swap for mushrooms or lentils for a plant-based option.
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree Enhances the overall sauce richness; substitute with fresh tomatoes if preferred.
  • 80 ml Red Wine Adds depth; replace with beef stock for a non-alcoholic option.
  • 500 g Tomato Passata Forms the base of the sauce; canned crushed tomatoes work well as an alternative.
  • 240 ml Beef Stock Deepens the flavor; for a vegetarian option, use vegetable stock instead.
  • 0.5 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce Boosts umami flavor; look for a vegetarian version to keep it plant-based.
  • 0.5 bunch Fresh Basil Brings freshness and herbal notes; dried basil is a good substitute if fresh is unavailable.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried Oregano Complements the sauce; can be omitted if necessary.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Sugar Balances acidity in the sauce; honey or agave can serve as alternatives.
  • 20 g Parmesan Cheese Adds umami to the sauce; opt for plant-based cheese for a vegan choice.
  • 200 g Spaghetti The main carbohydrate; use gluten-free pasta if desired.
For the Garlic Bread Bowls
  • 6 pieces Crusty White Rolls Serve as edible bowls; sourdough or ciabatta are best for durability.
  • 100 g Butter Used for the garlic-butter mixture; vegan butter is a suitable substitute.
  • 30 g Parmesan Cheese for Garlic Butter Enhances garlic flavor; omit for a dairy-free version.
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley Adds color and fresh flavor; dried parsley can be used if you’re out of fresh.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Cloves (made into paste) Intensifies garlic essence; garlic powder can work in a pinch.
  • 200 g Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) Melts beautifully for topping; swap for a dairy-free alternative to go vegan.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • pot
  • Baking Tray
  • small bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced white onion and sauté for about 5–7 minutes until it becomes golden and translucent. Stir in 3 cloves of minced garlic for another 1–2 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning.
  2. Add 500g of ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic. Cook for about 8–10 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until the meat is fully browned.
  3. Pour in 1 tablespoon of tomato puree and add 80ml of red wine to the skillet. Allow it to simmer for about 3–5 minutes, letting the wine reduce by half.
  4. Stir in 500g of tomato passata, 240ml of beef stock, and 0.5 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Add in fresh basil, 0.5 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 0.5 teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it bubble away for approximately 25 minutes.
  5. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in 20g of grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Cut the tops off 6 sturdy crusty white rolls and hollow out their insides.
  7. In a small bowl, melt 100g of butter and mix in the garlic paste made from 3 cloves of garlic, chopped parsley, and 30g of Parmesan cheese. Brush this mixture generously on the inside and outside of the bread bowls.
  8. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 200g of spaghetti for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and immediately toss it with the meat sauce prepared earlier.
  9. Carefully fill each hollowed bread bowl with the spaghetti and sauce mixture, packing it in nicely. Top each filled bowl with 200g of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  10. Place the filled bread bowls on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes until the bread is crisp and the cheese has melted.
  11. If desired, switch your oven to broil and broil the filled bowls for an additional minute.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 4mg

Notes

Use sturdy bread like sourdough or ciabatta to prevent sogginess. Ensure your meat sauce simmers long enough to thicken. Be liberal with the garlic butter for flavor. Leftovers can be kept for up to 2 days in an airtight container.

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