Mummy Spaghetti Bread Bowl

Featuring a fun mummy face, this Halloween Squid Ink Spaghetti Bowl Recipe is stuffed full of bolognese sauce and cheese for a comfort food recipe the whole family will love! Serve it on its own or with your favorite sides. 

Why We Love This Bread Bowl Recipe

Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, we know you’re going to enjoy this recipe just as much as we do! Not only is it the ultimate comfort food, but it’s also super cute and so fun to make. The kids love to dig into the center and find black spaghetti underneath. It’s perfect for the holiday season, and bonus, you can easily sneak veggies into the bolognese sauce. All in all, this bread bowl recipe is easy to assemble, a unique twist on classic comfort food, perfect for feeding a crowd, and is a great way to celebrate Halloween with the whole family gathered around the dinner table just before going out or trick-or-treat. 

What is Squid Ink Spaghetti? 

If you’ve never had or seen squid ink spaghetti, it can be a bit shocking! Traditional spaghetti pasta noodles take on a black color thanks to the infusion of squid ink. The pasta noodles are made just the same as traditional spaghetti except for one thing. As the pasta dough is made black squid ink is added to the water resulting in a unique color. 

What Does Squid Ink Spaghetti Taste Like? 

The flavor difference between regular spaghetti and squid ink spaghetti is minor, but we think the black noodles are scrumptious! They have a slightly richer flavor that is briny and has an extra hint of saltiness that pairs incredibly well with all your favorite pasta sauces. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

Feel free to get creative, and go all out with the holiday theme. However, for the basic recipe, here’s what you’ll need: 

• Bread – You’ll want a thick crusty bread like sourdough or ciabatta. Thin varieties won’t hold up and are likely to become soggy. 

• Squid Ink Spaghetti – We love the extra festive touch the black noodles add, but regular spaghetti is totally fine to use, too. 

• Bolognese Sauce – To make this bread bowl recipe super quick we use a pre-made bolognese sauce. However, if you’ve got the time homemade varieties like this make for an insanely incredible taste. 

• Cheese – For the bread bowl filling you’ll want to use shredded Mozzarella cheese. However, to create the “eyeballs” of the mummy, you’ll want to use small balls of Mozzarella cheese. Alternatively, any similarly shaped snacking cheese will have the same effect. 

• Puff Pastry – Easy to find in most local grocery stores, this forms the “gauze” of your mummy. 

• Pitted Black Olives – Salty and full of healthy fats, olives are a fun way to create the pupils of your mummy when layered on top of the balls of cheese. 

How to Make a Halloween Bread Bowl

The perfect dinner option before you overload on sweets, this Halloween recipe looks elaborate but is actually pretty easy to make! 

1. Preheat the oven. 
2. Slice off the top of the bread, and hollow out the center leaving about ½ inch of bread all around to form a shell. 
3. Add half of the bolognese sauce followed by the spaghetti. Then, layer the rest of the sauce as well as the cheese. 
4. Slice the puff pastry into strips, and arrange it in a criss-cross pattern on top. (See blog pictures below.)
5. Place the Mozzarella cheese balls on top to form the mummy’s “eyeballs,” and place the olives  on top to form the “pupils.”
6. Bake until the bread is golden-brown and the cheese has melted. 
7. Serve warm, and enjoy the squeals of laughter as your kids dig in to find black noodles! 

Serving Suggestions

Feel free to serve this recipe on its own. We promise it’s super filling! However, for a lighter meal or an easy way to add in some veggies, pair it with healthy appetizers and sides like: 

• Greek Salad
• Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
• Zucchini Soup
• Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Common Questions

Do bread bowls get soggy? 

If you let the spaghetti sit in your bread bowl for a long period of time, it can become soggy. However, an easy way to prevent this is to brush the inside of the bowl with a bit of olive oil and bake it in the oven for about 10 minutes. This will create a sort of protective layer over the bread and makes it more difficult for the moisture to seep through. 

Can I use a different filling? 

Sure! Feel free to use any noodles or sauce you prefer. You could even fill your bread bowl with your favorite soup. Just be sure to keep an eye on it in the oven, and adjust the baking time as needed. 

Can I make this bread bowl recipe ahead of time? 

We do not recommend making this recipe in advance as the bottom of your bowl is likely to become soggy. However, if you want, you can prepare the bread ahead of time. To do so, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Or, store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Then, when you’re ready to eat, follow the recipe as instructed! 

More Bread-Focused Recipes

Whether you’re looking for complete meals or easy appetizers, we’ve got just what you need! 

• Perfect for holidays, game days, and everything in between, this Spicy Cheese Bread Bowl is overflowing with the most irresistible dip. 
• Perfect for cold winter days, meals don’t get more comforting than this Spaghetti Bread Bowl recipe! 
• Made for easy dipping, this Spinach and Artichoke Bread Ring is the best appetizer for every occasion. 
• This Cheesy Garlic Bread will have your family begging for seconds!