Description
Lasagna Stuffed Garlic Bread is a delicious fusion recipe combining the comforting flavors of classic lasagna with the crunchy, buttery texture of garlic bread. Layers of tender pasta sheets, savory sausage meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and a blend of melted cheeses are stuffed inside crispy garlic bread loaves, then baked to golden perfection. This hearty dish makes an impressive and satisfying meal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the lasagna and 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
- Make meat sauce: Cook sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Remove to a strainer to drain grease. In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell pepper and cook until tender. Stir in tomato paste, then add passata and bring to a simmer. Add the drained sausage back into the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
- Make béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook until it forms a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in warmed milk, blending well to avoid lumps. Add Dijon mustard and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in chopped spinach, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Prebake garlic bread: Separate the garlic bread loaves into top and bottom halves and place them inside a baking dish forming two tight V shapes. Sprinkle some cheese onto the bottom of each V. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 6 minutes to slightly toast the bread.
- Assemble lasagna: Layer blanched lasagna noodles over the cheese in each garlic bread V. Add a layer of meat sauce followed by another layer of noodles, then spread béchamel sauce on top. Sprinkle with cheese and add another noodle layer. Spoon on the remaining meat sauce and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake lasagna: Bake the assembled garlic bread lasagna in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley or basil. Allow the stuffed loaves to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with warm leftover béchamel sauce on the side.
Notes
- Blanching the lasagna sheets briefly makes them pliable and easy to layer inside the garlic bread.
- You can substitute ground sausage with ground beef or turkey if preferred.
- To save time, prepare the sauces a day ahead and assemble just before baking.
- Keep an eye on the garlic bread while prebaking to avoid over-toasting.
- Leftover béchamel sauce can be warmed and drizzled over servings for extra creaminess.
