Description
Cheesy Garlic Bread is a warm, comforting side dish featuring crusty French or Italian bread slathered with a rich garlic butter mix and topped with a blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly baked to golden bubbly perfection, this easy recipe is ideal for pairing with pasta, soups, or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 (14 oz) loaf of French or Italian bread
Garlic Butter
- 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (not extra virgin)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheese Topping
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the loaf of French or Italian bread lengthwise into two halves to create two long pieces ready for topping.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened salted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended to form a flavorful garlic butter spread.
- Spread Mixture and Bake Covered: Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut surface of both bread halves. Wrap the bread halves in aluminum foil to retain moisture and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to warm the bread and infuse it with garlic flavor.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Carefully remove the foil from the bread after baking. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over both halves, followed by the finely shredded Parmesan cheese, ensuring a good coverage for melting.
- Bake Uncovered and Broil: Return the bread to the oven without foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 6 minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly. For a bubbly golden top, place the bread under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the cheesy garlic bread from the oven, sprinkle with the finely chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness. Slice into desired portions and serve warm to enjoy the perfect comfort food side dish.
Notes
- Use regular olive oil instead of extra virgin to avoid overpowering bitterness in the garlic butter.
- Wrapping the bread in foil during the initial baking helps it stay soft and moist.
- Broil carefully to get a golden bubbly cheese crust without burning.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color and freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the cheese is made without animal rennet.
