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Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls

Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45-55 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner, Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop, Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

A fun and satisfying dish that combines the comforting flavors of pizza with pasta, all served in an edible garlic butter bread bowl. This recipe typically features a savory meat sauce (often ground beef or sausage) mixed with pasta, pizza toppings, and plenty of cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 46 individual bread boules or sourdough bread bowls
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 12 teaspoons garlic powder (or 34 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (if not using garlic powder for butter)
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce or pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces (about 2 cups) uncooked rotini or penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni slices, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon bits, plus more for topping (optional)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Carefully cut the top off each bread boule and scoop out the soft interior, leaving a 1/2 to 1-inch thick shell. Set the removed bread aside (can be used for garlic bread sticks).
  3. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic). Brush the inside and outside of each bread bowl generously with the garlic butter mixture. Place bread bowls on a baking sheet.
  4. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef (or sausage) and diced onion over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
  5. Stir in the minced garlic (if using fresh) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add the marinara or pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Stir in the uncooked pasta, chopped pepperoni, and bacon bits (if using). Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce.
  8. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the sauce has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  9. While the pasta cooks, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese into the bottom of each garlic-buttered bread bowl.
  10. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the skillet from heat. Fill each cheese-lined bread bowl with the pizza pasta mixture.
  11. Top each pasta-filled bread bowl with additional shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and bacon bits (if using).
  12. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread bowls are lightly toasted. For a golden-brown top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  13. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh Parmesan and basil/parsley.

Notes

  • Any sturdy, short pasta shape like rigatoni, ziti, or cavatappi would work well.
  • Customize your ‘pizza’ toppings! Add cooked mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat. Sauté any raw vegetables before adding to the sauce.
  • If you can’t find individual bread bowls, you can use a large loaf of crusty Italian bread and cut it into thick slices, hollowing them out slightly, though they won’t hold as much.
  • For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked pasta and simply mix it with the heated sauce and toppings before assembling the bowls.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave, though the bread bowls may soften.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bread bowl
  • Calories: 600-900 (highly variable based on bread bowl size, type of meat, and toppings)
  • Sugar: 5-15g
  • Sodium: 800-1500mg
  • Fat: 25-45g
  • Saturated Fat: 10-20g
  • Unsaturated Fat: N/A
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60-90g
  • Fiber: 5-10g
  • Protein: 30-50g
  • Cholesterol: 70-150mg

Keywords: Pizza Pasta, Garlic Butter, Bread Bowl, One Pot (for pasta portion), Comfort Food, Weeknight Meal, Family Dinner, Ground Beef, Pepperoni