Name: Spaghetti with mummified garlic bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves crushed; pinch of chilli flakes (optional); 1 tbsp tomato purée; 400g chopped tomatoes; 2 tsp sugar; 1½ tsp dried oregano; 300g spaghetti; 100g butter softened; 2 garlic cloves crushed; ½ small bunch of parsley or basil, finely chopped, plus extra to serve; 1 large ciabatta; ½ x 250g ball mozzarella drained; handful of black olives sliced

Spaghetti with mummified garlic bread on a board with bowls alongside

2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves
crushed
pinch of chilli flakes
(optional)
1 tbsp tomato purée
400g chopped tomatoes
2 tsp sugar
1½ tsp dried oregano
300g spaghetti

For the garlic bread

100g butter
softened
2 garlic cloves
crushed
½ small bunch of parsley
or basil, finely chopped, plus extra to serve
1 large ciabatta
½ x 250g ball mozzarella
drained
handful of black olives
sliced

Method

step 1
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and fry the garlic and chilli flakes (if using) until the garlic is sizzling but not brown, about 2 mins. Stir in the tomato purée, then tip in the tomatoes. Fill the can with water and add to the pan along with the sugar, oregano and a good pinch of salt. Partially cover with the lid and simmer for 15 mins, then cook, uncovered, for a further 5 mins until you have a rich sauce. If you prefer a smooth sauce, use a potato masher to crush any chunks of tomato – this will also give the sauce more body. Set aside.
step 2
To make the garlic bread, mash the butter, garlic and most of the herbs together in a bowl. Split the ciabatta through the centre and open the bread on a board. Spread over the butter, then cut each piece of bread into four slices, and arrange on a baking tray. Thinly slice the mozzarella. Cut each slice into thin strips, then arrange across the garlic bread in a random zig-zag pattern to mimic mummy bandages, leaving gaps to expose the garlic butter. Use two olive slices for eyes. Set aside in the fridge.
step 3
Cook the spaghetti following pack instructions. Drain and toss through the sauce, reheating it for a few minutes with the pasta and a splash of water. Meanwhile, cook the garlic bread under a hot grill or in an air-fryer for 10-12 mins at 200C. Tip the spaghetti into a large serving bowl and serve with the mummified garlic bread on the side. Scatter with the remaining parsley or basil leaves.