Description
A deliciously gooey sandwich featuring spaghetti, ground beef, and melting cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 227 grams (8 ounces) of spaghetti
- 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) of olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced after peeling
- 2 crushed garlic cloves, peeled
- 227 grams (8 ounces) ground beef
- 794 grams (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
- Salt, 1-2 teaspoons, to taste
- 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) water, if needed
- 6 grams (1/4 cup) of thinly sliced fresh basil
- 57 grams (2 ounces) of grated Parmesan, with extra for topping
- 113 grams (8 tablespoons) of melted unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 16 slices of mozzarella cheese, thin
- 8 slices of sturdy bread, sourdough works great
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a big pan set over medium. Toss in the diced onion and stir every now and then until it turns golden.
- Mix in the crushed garlic for 30 seconds to a minute, just until you smell the aroma.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Sprinkle with salt and keep stirring until the meat is browned.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and water, then adjust salt to taste. Let it boil first, then bring the heat down, cover, and simmer for an hour, stirring here and there to meld the flavors.
- Mix in basil, turn off the heat, and set aside 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) of it for dipping later, if desired.
- Fill a big pot with salted water and let it boil. Stir in the dried spaghetti and cook until it’s firm but done (al dente).
- Drain it off and mix the cooked spaghetti with the prepared tomato sauce. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and give it all a stir.
- Put parchment paper on a baking sheet. Spread the spaghetti on the paper, shaping it into a flat, single layer about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) thick.
- Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl and whisk until everything blends smoothly.
- Slice your spaghetti layer into four parts. Spread butter over one side of a slice of bread, placing it, butter-side down, on the counter. Stack two mozzarella slices on top, then carefully place a spaghetti section above that.
- Add two more mozzarella slices over the spaghetti, and finish with another bread slice. Brush more of the butter over the top.
- Warm up a skillet over medium-low heat. Place one of the sandwiches on it. Cook with the pan covered, adjusting heat if necessary, until the bottom turns golden.
- Flip it gently, cover again, and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese melts. Repeat for all the sandwiches. Serve while warm and gooey.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- This sandwich pairs well with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Customize the sandwich by adding vegetables like spinach or peppers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 15 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 60 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 70 milligrams