Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Recipe | Cheesy, Crispy & Comforting
I just made this spaghetti grilled cheese recipe, and I have to say, it’s a game-changer for leftovers. The idea of putting spaghetti inside a sandwich seemed a little wild at first, but it turned out to be one of the most incredible things I’ve ever tasted.
The garlicky bread, the gooey cheese, and the hearty bolognese-coated pasta all come together in a perfect, comforting bite. It’s messy in the best way possible and so worth it. If you enjoy sweet treats after your meal, you might also love this Easy Turtle Brownies Recipe for dessert.
Ingredients
This recipe brings together classic Italian flavors into one epic sandwich. Here are the key components you will need.
- 2 slices soft Italian Bread – Using a soft, squishy bread is key. It makes the sandwich easier to press down and eat, and it soaks up the garlic butter beautifully without becoming too hard.
- 1 tablespoon Butter – Use room temperature butter so it mixes easily with the garlic and herbs and spreads smoothly onto the bread without tearing it.
- ½ teaspoon Basil – Dried basil adds a classic Italian flavor that complements the garlic and tomato sauce. You can also use fresh basil if you have it on hand.
- 2 cloves Garlic – Finely mince the garlic to ensure its flavor is distributed evenly throughout the butter. This creates a fantastic garlic bread base for the sandwich.
- 1 tablespoon Finely Grated Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and provide a richer, nuttier flavor than pre-shredded varieties. It creates a wonderfully crispy crust on the bread.
- ½ cup Bolognese Sauce – A thick, meaty bolognese sauce works best here. A thinner sauce will make the sandwich soggy, so opt for a robust sauce that clings to the pasta. For a creamy twist on Italian flavors, you might also enjoy this Rajas Con Crema Recipe alongside your meal.
- 1 cup Angel Hair Pasta – Angel hair pasta is thin and cooks quickly, making it a great choice. Its delicate strands are easier to manage inside the sandwich compared to thicker spaghetti.
- 6 slices Mozzarella Cheese – Fresh mozzarella provides that signature cheese pull and a mild, creamy flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. It also acts as a great “glue” to hold the spaghetti in place.
Note: This recipe makes one generously sized sandwich.
Variations
While the classic version is fantastic, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs.
- Go Vegetarian: Swap the bolognese sauce for a hearty marinara or a creamy tomato sauce. You could even add some roasted vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to the pasta for extra flavor and texture.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based butter spread and your favorite dairy-free mozzarella and Parmesan cheese alternatives. The results will be just as gooey and delicious.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce or a dash of hot sauce to give your sandwich a spicy kick. You could also mix some chopped jalapeños into the pasta.
- Different Pasta: While angel hair is recommended, feel free to use any leftover pasta you have. Spaghetti, fettuccine, or even smaller shapes like penne or fusilli can work.
- Add-Ins: Enhance the flavor by adding other ingredients. A layer of pesto on the bread, some crispy bacon bits mixed with the pasta, or a few fresh basil leaves can elevate the sandwich.
Cooking Time
This delicious sandwich comes together surprisingly quickly, especially if you’re using leftover pasta and sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Equipment You Need
You don’t need any fancy gadgets to create this masterpiece. Just a few kitchen basics will do the trick.
- Small Bowl: For mixing the garlic, basil, and butter into a spreadable paste.
- Pot: To cook the angel hair pasta until it’s perfectly al dente.
- Skillet or Pan: A non-stick skillet is ideal for toasting the sandwich to golden-brown perfection without it sticking.
- Spatula: For carefully flipping the sandwich without losing any of the delicious filling.
How to Make Spaghetti Grilled Cheese
This recipe transforms simple leftovers into an extraordinary meal. The process is straightforward, combining the steps for making garlic bread with the assembly of a grilled cheese.
Prepare the Garlic Bread
First, create the flavorful garlic butter spread. In a small bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, minced garlic, and dried basil. Mix them together until you have a smooth, consistent paste. This will be the foundation of your garlic bread.
Spread this mixture evenly on one side of each slice of soft Italian bread. Then, sprinkle the finely grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered sides. Gently press the cheese into the butter to help it adhere during cooking.
Cook the Pasta and Mix with Sauce
Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly to remove excess water, which helps prevent a soggy sandwich.
In a separate bowl, stir the cooked angel hair pasta into the bolognese sauce. Make sure every strand is coated well. Using a thick sauce is important here, as it will hold together better inside the grilled cheese.
Assemble the Sandwich
Lay one slice of the prepared bread on a clean surface with the buttered side facing down. Arrange three slices of mozzarella cheese on top, covering the bread from edge to edge. This cheese layer will create a barrier to keep the spaghetti contained.
Spread the bolognese-covered angel hair evenly over the mozzarella. Top the pasta with the remaining three slices of mozzarella cheese. Place the second slice of bread on top, this time with the buttered side facing up.
Toast the Sandwich
Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. You don’t need to add any oil or butter to the pan, as the butter on the bread is sufficient. Carefully place the assembled sandwich in the hot skillet and cover it with a lid.
The key to a perfect grilled cheese is cooking it low and slow. This allows the bread to become golden and crispy while giving the cheese ample time to melt completely. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on the first side. Carefully flip the sandwich with a spatula, cover the pan again, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Serve it immediately while it’s hot.
Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better
Having made this a few times, I’ve discovered a few tricks that take it from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Press It Down: I found that gently pressing the sandwich down with a spatula as it cooks helps the ingredients meld together. It also makes the sandwich a bit more compact and easier to handle when you’re ready to eat.
- Use Leftover Spaghetti: This recipe is truly at its best when you use day-old, refrigerated spaghetti. The cold pasta is firmer and holds its shape better, which I feel makes the sandwich less likely to fall apart.
- Don’t Skimp on the Cheese: The mozzarella isn’t just for flavor; it’s structural. I make sure to create a solid layer of cheese on both the top and bottom to act as a seal, keeping all that delicious spaghetti filling right where it belongs.
- Let It Rest for a Minute: As tempting as it is to dive right in, I recommend letting the sandwich rest for a minute or two after taking it out of the pan. This gives the cheese a moment to set slightly, making the first cut and bite a little less messy.
How to Serve Spaghetti Grilled Cheese
This sandwich is a meal in itself, but a few simple touches can make the experience even better. Cut the sandwich in half diagonally for that classic, satisfying grilled cheese look that shows off the layers of pasta and melted cheese. For a less messy experience, you might even consider cutting it into four smaller triangles.
Because the sandwich is so rich and savory, it pairs well with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. It’s also fantastic served with a side of extra marinara or bolognese sauce for dipping. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness before serving.
Nutritional Information
Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for this recipe. Please note that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
- Calories: Approximately 700-850 kcal
- Protein: Around 30-40g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 60-75g
- Fat: About 35-45g
Make Ahead and Storage
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can certainly prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers.
If you have leftovers, allow the sandwich to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in foil or placing it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, you can use a skillet over low heat to restore the crispy texture of the bread.
While you can freeze a fully assembled sandwich, the texture of the bread may change upon thawing. A better option is to freeze the bolognese-coated pasta separately. It will keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just any sandwich; it’s an experience. Here are a few reasons why you’re sure to fall in love with it.
- The Ultimate Use for Leftovers: This recipe transforms leftover spaghetti and bolognese into something entirely new and exciting. It’s a creative and delicious way to ensure no food goes to waste, turning last night’s dinner into today’s gourmet lunch.
- A Fusion of Comfort Foods: It combines two universally loved dishes: spaghetti and grilled cheese. The result is a carb-loaded masterpiece of melted cheese, savory sauce, and crispy garlic bread that delivers maximum comfort and satisfaction.
- Surprisingly Easy to Make: Despite looking impressive, this sandwich is incredibly simple to assemble. If you have leftover pasta, it comes together in just a few minutes with minimal effort, making it a perfect quick meal.
- Customizable and Fun: You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking. Swap the sauce, add veggies, or use different cheeses. It’s a fun and flexible meal that you can tailor to whatever you have in your fridge.
Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- First, create the flavorful garlic butter spread. In a small bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, minced garlic, and dried basil. Mix them together until you have a smooth, consistent paste. This will be the foundation of your garlic bread.
- Spread this mixture evenly on one side of each slice of soft Italian bread. Then, sprinkle the finely grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered sides. Gently press the cheese into the butter to help it adhere during cooking.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly to remove excess water, which helps prevent a soggy sandwich.
- In a separate bowl, stir the cooked angel hair pasta into the bolognese sauce. Make sure every strand is coated well. Using a thick sauce is important here, as it will hold together better inside the grilled cheese.
- Lay one slice of the prepared bread on a clean surface with the buttered side facing down. Arrange three slices of mozzarella cheese on top, covering the bread from edge to edge. This cheese layer will create a barrier to keep the spaghetti contained.
- Spread the bolognese-covered angel hair evenly over the mozzarella. Top the pasta with the remaining three slices of mozzarella cheese. Place the second slice of bread on top, this time with the buttered side facing up.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. You don’t need to add any oil or butter to the pan, as the butter on the bread is sufficient. Carefully place the assembled sandwich in the hot skillet and cover it with a lid.
- The key to a perfect grilled cheese is cooking it low and slow. This allows the bread to become golden and crispy while giving the cheese ample time to melt completely. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on the first side. Carefully flip the sandwich with a spatula, cover the pan again, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Serve it immediately while it’s hot.
Notes
- Press It Down: I found that gently pressing the sandwich down with a spatula as it cooks helps the ingredients meld together. It also makes the sandwich a bit more compact and easier to handle when you’re ready to eat.
- Use Leftover Spaghetti: This recipe is truly at its best when you use day-old, refrigerated spaghetti. The cold pasta is firmer and holds its shape better, which I feel makes the sandwich less likely to fall apart.
- Don’t Skimp on the Cheese: The mozzarella isn’t just for flavor; it’s structural. I make sure to create a solid layer of cheese on both the top and bottom to act as a seal, keeping all that delicious spaghetti filling right where it belongs.
- Let It Rest for a Minute: As tempting as it is to dive right in, I recommend letting the sandwich rest for a minute or two after taking it out of the pan. This gives the cheese a moment to set slightly, making the first cut and bite a little less messy.
