W1 Recipe: Pull-Apart Garlic Herb Bread

Cooking Connection

Recipe: Pull-apart garlic Herb Bread with Pasta

This pull-apart bread was chosen for its symbolic connection to grace and community. Just as the bread is made up of individual pieces that come together as one loaf, so too does Jesus gather people from all walks of life into His kingdom of grace. Each piece represents the diversity of those Jesus welcomes—sinners, outcasts, the broken—all invited to the table of mercy and belonging.

The act of sharing bread, especially when it is meant to be torn apart and shared, reminds us of how Jesus broke bread with His disciples and offered Himself as the Bread of Life. As you prepare this meal together, consider how Christ invites us not just to receive grace, but to share it with those around us, welcoming everyone to the table of love and forgiveness.

Ingredients:

• For the Garlic Herb Bread:

• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• For the Pasta Sauce (Optional Ground Beef or Turkey and Vegetable Options):

• 1 lb pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)• 2 tbsp olive oil• 1 medium onion, chopped• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 1 tbsp dried basil

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (to be added to the sauce)

• Vegetable Options:

• 1-2 bell peppers, chopped

• 1 medium zucchini, grated or diced

• 1-2 cups mushrooms, sliced

• 1 medium carrot, shredded or finely chopped

• A handful of fresh spinach leaves

• 1 small eggplant, diced

• 1/2 cup black or green olives, chopped

Instructions:

Make the Garlic Herb Bread:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease a bundt pan or round baking dish.

3. Cut the biscuit dough into quarters and toss with melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and both cheeses.

4. Layer the coated dough pieces in the pan.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

6. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Pull apart the bread as a reminder of the unity of God’s family.

Make the Pasta Sauce:

1. If using ground beef or turkey, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add your chosen vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, spinach, eggplant, or olives) and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened.

4. Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

5. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Serve:

1. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, stirring well to coat.

2. Serve with the garlic herb bread, pulling it apart as a reminder of the grace and welcome Jesus offers to all.

Note: For a meatless version, simply skip the ground beef or turkey and make the sauce with just the tomatoes and seasonings, adding whichever vegetables you prefer.

---