Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines garlic bread and lasagna into one epic dish
- Cheesy, saucy, and full of flavor
- Perfect for parties, game day, or casual dinners
- Great alternative to traditional lasagna
- Easy to make with store-bought dough or bread
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- Can be made ahead and baked when ready
- Ideal for using up leftover meat sauce
- Pull-apart style makes it fun to eat
- Totally customizable with your favorite lasagna ingredients
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- French or Italian loaf bread (unsliced)
- Ground beef or Italian sausage
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Marinara or pasta sauce
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic and more Italian seasoning.
- Slice the loaf of bread lengthwise without cutting all the way through—creating a deep pocket or several connected slices.
- Brush the inside of the bread with the garlic butter mixture.
- Layer in ricotta cheese, spoonfuls of meat sauce, and shredded mozzarella between the slices or inside the pocket.
- Repeat layers if space allows, finishing with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Wrap loosely in foil and bake for 15–20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving. Slice and serve warm.
Servings and timing
Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 40–45 minutes
Variations
- Make it vegetarian with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini instead of meat
- Use spicy sausage for extra heat
- Add Alfredo sauce and chicken for a white lasagna version
- Swap ricotta for cream cheese or cottage cheese
- Use shredded cheddar or provolone for different cheesy flavors
- Turn it into individual garlic lasagna rolls using hoagie rolls or sub buns
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. For best results, avoid freezing as the texture of the bread may change when thawed.
FAQs
What kind of bread works best for this recipe?
A sturdy French or Italian loaf is best. It should be thick enough to hold the fillings without falling apart.
Can I use store-bought meat sauce?
Yes, using jarred marinara or meat sauce is a great time-saver and works perfectly in this recipe.
Do I have to use ricotta?
No, you can substitute with cottage cheese or a mix of cream cheese and Parmesan for a similar creamy texture.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the bread up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Use a thicker loaf and avoid overfilling with sauce. Wrapping it in foil while baking helps keep it crisp outside and gooey inside.
Is this freezer-friendly?
It’s not ideal for freezing once baked, but you can freeze the assembled (unbaked) bread, then thaw and bake fresh.
What dipping sauces go well with this?
Extra marinara, garlic butter, or even ranch dressing are great for dipping.
Can I use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef?
Yes, it’s a great shortcut and still delivers great flavor.
How do I serve garlic lasagna bread?
Slice it like a pull-apart loaf and serve on a platter for sharing, or cut into larger portions for a full meal.
What sides go well with this dish?
A fresh green salad, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables pair perfectly to balance out the richness.
Conclusion
Garlic Lasagna Bread is the ultimate comfort food mashup, combining all the best parts of lasagna and garlic bread into one cheesy, saucy, pull-apart masterpiece. Perfect for family meals, entertaining, or anytime you’re craving something indulgent, this creative twist on two classics is bound to become a favorite at your table.
PrintGarlic Lasagna Bread
Garlic Lasagna Bread combines the best of garlic bread and lasagna into one delicious pull-apart loaf. It’s filled with layers of meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and buttery garlic flavor—perfect as a hearty appetizer, dinner, or party snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread (unsliced)
- 1/2 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (for garlic butter)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Stir in marinara sauce and 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Simmer 5–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder and 1 tsp Italian seasoning.
- Slice the loaf lengthwise without cutting all the way through, creating deep pockets or slices.
- Brush inside the bread with garlic butter mixture.
- Stuff each section with ricotta cheese, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan over the top.
- Wrap loosely in foil and bake for 15–20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve warm.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread to prevent sogginess from the sauce.
- Great use for leftover spaghetti sauce or meat filling.
- Can be assembled ahead and baked fresh when needed.
- Serve with a side of marinara for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 loaf)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg