I just don’t know what to say about this, other than to beg you to make extra spaghetti and meat sauce next time just so you can make these sandwiches with the leftovers.
I’ve included my spaghetti recipe first, to make earlier in the week, with lots of leftovers for these sandwiches later on. Feel free to use any spaghetti and meat sauce recipe you like!
I’m kind of a terrible sleeper. Pregnancy has not helped at all. Planning a vacation has not helped either.
I find it’s at night that I think of all the important stuff.
“Must put shaving cream on the list.”
“Must remember to figure out a hotel for the night before our flight at 6 in the morning.”
“Did I take the roast out to thaw?”
“Forgot to make my lunch.”
“Can’t believe how many essays I have to mark tomorrow…”
And then last night, a telemarketer/phone scammer called at 10:30PM.
That’s a big deal for me. My family probably wouldn’t dare call after 9:30pm. I am the opposite of a night owl.
It didn’t make me very receptive of what she was trying to say, and the scam she was trying to get me to buy into, since she only got about 8 words into her spiel before I gave her my own.
Anyway.
Also at night, I’m often dreaming up random concoctions of food to experiment with for the blog. Which is actually important. It was when I was lying awake in bed that I thought up this idea, and I was so excited I ran downstairs to make a note for myself. I really need to keep a pen and paper beside my bed.
I thought to myself, “people eat garlic toast, and cheese, and spaghetti all together, so why wouldn’t it make sense to make it a grilled cheese?!” I also thought of all of the ways I had seen spaghetti used on Pinterest: spaghetti calzones, spaghetti and meatball pot pies, spaghetti tacos, spaghetti pie, spasagna — but never spaghetti grilled cheese. It seemed like a genius plan that I couldn’t ignore.
This sandwich is kind of unreal.
It’s everything you love about spaghetti and garlic toast but you get that crunchy, garlicky factor with every bite. Toasting both sides of the bread helps it stay crispy after you put the sauce on, while the spaghetti still stays nice and moist. And cheese. As much as your heart desires!
When I told my husband (obviously in the middle of the night the minute I thought of it), he thought it was a good enough idea. And I’d like to think the reason he doubted my culinary genius is because he was exhausted and not because he actually questions my food combinations.
But you better believe me, he was certainly not questioning my skills in the kitchen after supper tonight.
Spaghetti and Garlic Toast Grilled Cheese
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
For the spaghetti and meat sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 jar prepared pasta sauce or tomato sauce
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes drained but not squeezed dry
- 1 454 g box spaghetti broken in half
For the Spaghetti and Garlic Toast Grilled Cheese
- Roughly 2-3 cups prepared spaghetti and meat sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 6 slices thick Italian bread I used whole wheat
- about 6 tbsp extra meat sauce or plain tomato sauce
- cheese sliced or shredded, to cover top and bottom of sandwich (I used about 10-12 2″ square slices)
- about 1 ½ cups prepared spaghetti and meat sauce
Instructions
- For the spaghetti and meat sauceIn a large pan, cook beef, onion, salt, pepper flakes, and basil until meat is browned. Add in pasta sauce and tomatoes.
- Simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until some of the liquid has evaporated and sauce is slightly thicker, stirring occasionally.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Stir and serve together. *Reserve about 1 cup spaghetti and meat sauce mixture for each grilled cheese you wish to make later in the week. Don’t worry — there’s lots!
- For the Spaghetti and Garlic Toast Grilled CheeseCombine butter and garlic powder. Butter both sides of all 6 slices of bread (I did the second side while they were on the griddle, but it’s up to you what you think is easiest). Place bread on a large flat griddle preheated to about 300 degrees F (A large frying pan works, too, it’s just not as easy to maneuver your sandwiches and won’t hold as much).
- Cook the first side of the bread until golden brown. Flip.
- Divide half of the cheese between 3 slices of bread. Top each with 2-3 tbsp additional meat or pasta sauce. Top with about ½-1 cup spaghetti and meat sauce mixture and remaining cheese. Top with second piece of bread, making sure to put the already toasted side down.
- Flip sandwiches so that both sides get toasted. Cook 4-5 minutes until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, covering sandwiches with tin foil or griddle cover if necessary to melt the cheese.
- Devour!
Notes
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Lisa says
I have been doing this since I was a kid, it is the best.
Ashley Fehr says
We love it too!
Randee says
I have actually been making these for about 30 years. I love being axle to come up with different versions of bread and cheese.
Ashley says
Me too!
Karen says
I had the idea to make these last week. It seemed like the most natural thing to do with my leftovers. But I was sure I wasn’t the first to come up with this idea, so I decided to search online for the recipe. That’s what led me to your website. Looking at your beautiful pics makes me wish I still had some spaghetti left! I actually toasted my bread in the toaster first, then buttered it and sprinkled on some garlic powder. Then I built the sandwich on top of the garlic sides, then buttered the outside and finished it off on the griddle. So it was twice-toasted, making the sandwich extra crispy and extra good! I used provolone slices and freshly grated Parmesan, but I think it would also be amazing with fresh mozzarella. Oh, and unless you like cold spaghetti straight from the fridge, be sure to heat it up before adding it to the sandwich. My first attempt yielded a hot, crispy sandwich with melted cheese, but a cold filling. It’s so much better with hot spaghetti. 🙂
Ashley says
Too funny, Karen! Yes, I definitely toasted my bread on the inside before adding cheese and spaghetti!
Claudia says
Consequently tasty! That appears impressive!
Stacy Rosa says
It sounds so delicious. I can’t wait to make it. I was wondering what kind of cheese you used?
Ashley says
I’m not a big cheese connoisseur, so I used regular mozzarella — but you could use whatever suits your fancy!
Cat says
*faint* *heading to grocery store now for s’ghetti makin’s! Thank you!!
Ashley says
Haha, you’re very welcome!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
OMG THERE’S SPAGHETTI IN THAT GRILLED CHEESE!!! I must eat it as soon as possible. I was already thinking of making spaghetti this weekend, now I HAVE TO to make this grilled cheese. 😀
Ashley says
Please do!
Matt Robinson says
Absolutely brilliant! Why have I never thought of this?? This is something the boys and I would love!
Ashley says
Ya know, I thought the same thing late at night when I dreamt it up! Someone has got to do that. Lol