If you love the comforting layers of Italian lasagna and the irresistible aroma of garlic bread, then you are in for an absolute treat with this Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe. It’s a magical fusion where cheesy, saucy lasagna meets crusty, buttery garlic bread, creating one unforgettable dish that’s perfect for sharing or indulging on your own. Imagine pulling apart warm loaves stuffed with savory meat sauce, creamy béchamel, tender pasta strips, and bubbling cheese – pure happiness in every bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, fresh ingredients is key to bringing this delightful Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe to life. Each element plays a special role in balancing flavors, textures, and colors to elevate your taste buds.
- Furlani garlic bread loaves: These provide a perfect crusty yet soft base that soaks up the flavors without falling apart.
- Grated cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, tangy note that complements the mozzarella’s meltiness.
- Grated mozzarella cheese: Provides gooey, stretchy cheese that melts beautifully over the layers.
- Fresh lasagna sheets: Blanched and cut into strips to form tender pasta layers inside the bread.
- Fresh parsley or basil: A vibrant garnish that adds a pop of color and fresh herby aroma.
- Ground sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor with a bit of spice from the meat.
- Diced onion and bell pepper: Bring sweetness and a slight crunch to the sauce.
- Tomato paste and passata: Create the rich, robust tomato base for the meat sauce.
- Unsalted butter and all-purpose flour: Essential for making a creamy béchamel sauce that ties everything together.
- Warm milk and Dijon mustard: Make the béchamel smooth and add a subtle tang.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds just the right amount of seasoning kick.
- Baby spinach: Brightens up the béchamel with a nutritious green touch.
How to Make Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
Start by cooking the ground sausage over medium-high heat until it’s perfectly browned and full of flavor. Draining the grease helps keep the sauce from being too oily. Then, sauté diced onions and bell peppers in the same skillet to absorb all those delicious meat juices. Stir in tomato paste to intensify the tomato flavor before adding passata. Mixing the sausage back in and simmering gently develops a thick, rich meat sauce that will be the soul of your stuffed bread.
Step 2: Make the Béchamel Sauce with Spinach
Melt unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat and whisk in flour, cooking until you have a smooth paste. Slowly pour in warmed milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and achieve that silky béchamel texture. Adding Dijon mustard introduces a subtle tang that balances the creaminess, while freshly ground black pepper gives the sauce a delicate spice. Finally, fold in chopped baby spinach for an unexpected pop of color and a fresh taste to contrast the rich sauce.
Step 3: Prep and Pre-Bake the Garlic Bread
Slice your garlic bread loaves in half lengthwise and place the top and bottom halves in a baking dish creating two V shapes that are snug and ready to hold all the lasagna ingredients. A light sprinkle of cheese in the base helps the layers adhere and kickstarts the melty magic before baking them briefly at 375°F for six minutes — this softens the bread just enough to embrace the filling fully.
Step 4: Layer the Lasagna Inside the Bread
Now the fun part begins! Layer those blanched lasagna noodle strips on top of the cheese, then spoon on a generous portion of that fragrant meat sauce. Add another noodle layer followed by a luscious helping of béchamel sauce—it’s like creating mini lasagnas inside your bread. Sprinkle with more cheese, bed down another layer of noodles, top with the remaining meat sauce, and finish with a final shower of cheese to seal the deal.
Step 5: Bake Until Gooey and Golden
Return the stuffed garlic breads to the oven at 375°F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. This is when the magic happens – the cheese melts into bubbling golden goodness, the sauces meld perfectly, and the bread crisps just right on the outside while staying soft and savory inside.
Step 6: Garnish and Rest Before Serving
Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh parsley or basil over the top for that fresh, herbal lift and vibrant color. Let the loaves rest for five minutes before slicing – this helps everything settle so each cut holds together beautifully. Serve your Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe warm, accompanied by any leftover béchamel sauce for dipping.
How to Serve Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley or basil isn’t just pretty; it adds a bright, fragrant note that cuts through the rich layers of meat and cheese. Feel free to experiment with a sprinkle of chili flakes or a dash of grated Parmesan for extra zing and texture contrast.
Side Dishes
This dish is rich and filling on its own, but a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette perfectly complements the heaviness by adding a refreshing crunch. Roasted vegetables or a simple tomato and cucumber salad also make great companions for a balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party twist, slice the stuffed garlic bread into individual portions and serve them on a platter with small bowls of marinara, béchamel, or even a spicy arrabbiata sauce for dipping. You can also invite guests to customize with extra toppings like olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh herbs for a build-your-own experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftovers completely before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap or transferring to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, this Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe keeps well for up to three days and tastes just as delicious when reheated.
Freezing
You can freeze fully prepared and baked portions by wrapping them securely in aluminum foil and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge to maintain texture and flavor before reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked charm, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the bread from turning soggy.
FAQs
Can I use other meats instead of ground sausage?
Absolutely! Ground beef, turkey, or even a mix of meats work well here. Adjust the seasoning accordingly since sausage often has its own spices.
What if I don’t have fresh lasagna sheets?
Dry lasagna noodles can be used too if boiled until al dente and cut into strips. Just make sure to cool them before assembling to avoid sogginess.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the sausage for hearty sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a vegetable ragù for a delicious vegetarian version that still has great texture and flavor.
Can I prepare this in advance for a party?
Definitely. Assemble everything up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes since the dish will be cold from the fridge.
What’s the secret to preventing soggy garlic bread?
Pre-baking the garlic bread loaves briefly before layering and baking again helps keep the crust nice and crisp. Also, draining excess fat from the meat sauce prevents it from making the bread soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe is truly a love letter to comfort food, combining two beloved classics into one heavenly dish. It’s casual yet special, perfect for a cozy night in, a family gathering, or impressing friends with something unique. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself daydreaming about that perfect cheesy, garlicky bite all day long. So, grab your ingredients, get baking, and let this recipe bring warmth and joy to your table!
Print
Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 – 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread is a delicious fusion of classic Italian lasagna flavors layered inside crispy garlic bread loaves. Filled with layers of lasagna noodles, savory sausage meat sauce, creamy béchamel with spinach, and a blend of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, this recipe makes for an indulgent and comforting meal perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread
- 2 Furlani garlic bread loaves
- 180g grated cheddar cheese
- 180g grated mozzarella cheese
- 3 large fresh lasagna sheets, blanched and cut into 2-inch strips
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
For the Meat Sauce
- 454g ground sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 500ml passata
For the Béchamel Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups warmed milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 5 oz baby spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Cook the ground sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease using a strainer. In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell pepper, cooking until tender. Stir in tomato paste, then add passata and bring to a simmer. Mix in the cooked sausage and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
- Make the Béchamel Sauce: Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until a paste forms. Gradually whisk in warmed milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add Dijon mustard and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in chopped baby spinach until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Bread Base: Arrange the top and bottom halves of the garlic bread loaves in a baking dish, positioning them to form two tight V-shapes. Sprinkle some grated cheese on the bottom of each V. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 6 minutes to lightly toast the bread and melt the cheese.
- Assemble the Layers: Start layering by placing a layer of lasagna noodle strips over the melted cheese. Add a layer of the prepared meat sauce, followed by another layer of noodles. Spread over a layer of béchamel sauce, then sprinkle more cheese. Add a final layer of noodles, spoon on the remaining meat sauce, and finish with the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake the Stuffed Bread: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese on top is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle chopped parsley or basil over the top. Allow the loaves to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with any leftover béchamel sauce for extra creaminess.
Notes
- Blanch lasagna sheets briefly in boiling water to make them pliable for layering.
- You can substitute sausage with ground beef or turkey if preferred.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil complement the rich flavors and add freshness.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and increase the amount of béchamel and veggies.
- Use gloves or utensils to gently remove garlic bread from packaging and handle hot bread carefully after baking.
