Description
Deliciously easy Spaghetti Boats are a fun and comforting twist on classic pasta dinners, served inside toasted hoagie rolls filled with savory ground beef, marinara, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a weeknight meal or casual get-together, these baked pasta sandwiches combine the flavors of Italian-American cuisine with a handheld convenience everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Rolls
- 4 small hoagie rolls or sub rolls
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Filling
- 1/2 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 6 ounces cooked spaghetti (about half a box)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut a V-shaped wedge out of the top of each hoagie roll and scoop out some of the bread inside to create a cavity for the filling. Place the rolls on a baking sheet and lightly toast them in the oven for 5 minutes to firms up the interior.
- Cook the meat and aromatics: While the rolls toast, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Add the sauce and spaghetti: Pour in the marinara sauce along with the cooked spaghetti noodles. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together and let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Assemble the spaghetti boats: Spoon the spaghetti mixture evenly into each pre-toasted hoagie roll, pressing gently to fill well. Sprinkle the tops with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese to cover the filling.
- Bake to finish: Return the filled rolls to the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the spaghetti boats from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm and enjoy this handheld cheesy pasta delight.
Notes
- You can use leftover cooked spaghetti for this recipe to save time.
- Try using garlic bread hoagie rolls for extra flavorful bread base.
- For a lighter option, swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based meat substitutes.
- Make sure not to overfill the rolls to avoid spilling during baking.
- These also reheat well in the oven or microwave for leftovers.
