If you’re on the hunt for a dish that brings warm, comforting flavors and the irresistible aroma of garlic and herbs wafting through your kitchen, look no further than this Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe. It’s a delightful, shareable treat that combines a crusty sourdough loaf filled with luscious melted cheeses, fragrant fresh herbs, and a garlic butter mixture that seeps into every crevice. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy dinner, a party appetizer, or a snack to delight your family, this recipe promises a perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and savory that never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe relies on a handful of simple yet incredibly impactful ingredients. Each one has a specific role to play in delivering fantastic depth of flavor, perfect texture, and that vibrant, fresh aroma that makes this bread truly special.
- 1 large round sourdough bread loaf: Provides a sturdy, tangy base with a crisp crust that holds all the delicious fillings.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Acts as the buttery vehicle for the garlic and herbs, infusing the bread with moisture and rich flavor.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: The star aromatic, delivering a pungent, savory lift that is simply irresistible.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: Adds a touch of bright, fresh herbaceousness to balance richness.
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped: Offers earthy, slightly minty undertones that deepen the herb flavor.
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped: Brings piney, fragrant notes that enhance the overall aroma.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the ingredients.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle, spicy warmth that rounds out the garlic herb butter.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Provides gooey, melty texture with mild flavor that pairs perfectly with herbs.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Offers sharp, nutty kick to elevate the cheese blend.
- 1/2 cup cooked spinach (optional): Introduces a pop of color and earthiness, plus a nutritious twist to the filling.
How to Make Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Bread
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready for baking. Then carefully cut the top off your sourdough loaf—think of this as creating a lid for your bread bowl creation. Set the lid aside, we’ll use it later to seal in all the deliciousness.
Step 2: Hollow Out the Bread
Now it’s time to scoop out the inside of the loaf, leaving about a one-inch thick wall all the way around. This creates the perfect bread bowl that’s sturdy enough to hold all that cheesy, herby filling without leaking or collapsing during baking.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. This fragrant mixture will seal the bread and infuse those beautiful herbs into every bite, creating the heart of the flavor profile for this Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe.
Step 4: Brush the Bread
Brush the garlic herb butter generously inside the hollowed bread and also on the inside of the lid. Make sure this mixture coats every nook and cranny to maximize flavor and moisture inside your bread bowl.
Step 5: Add the Cheese and Spinach
Layer your shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and cooked spinach evenly inside the bread bowl. This combination ensures each bite delivers melty, savory cheese balanced by the fresh texture and slight earthiness of spinach if you choose to include it.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Place the bread lid back on top and wrap the entire loaf tightly in aluminum foil. Set it on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. This slow bake lets the butter soak in, the cheese melt beautifully, and the bread soften just enough without losing its structure.
Step 7: Achieve a Golden Finish
Remove the foil and bake the bread for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. This final step crisps up the crust and gives the top a gorgeous golden-brown finish, making this Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe practically irresistible once it comes out of the oven.
How to Serve Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme leaves on top right after baking adds a burst of color and hints at the flavors inside. For an extra touch, a drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a light dusting of smoked paprika can elevate each serving.
Side Dishes
This stuffed sourdough bread pairs wonderfully with crisp green salads, roasted vegetables, or even a bowl of warm tomato soup for dipping. The herbaceous bread complements fresh and acidic sides beautifully, balancing the richness and making your meal feel complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your bread into thick wedges and serve on a rustic wooden board alongside small bowls of creamy hummus or tangy marinara sauce. For parties, consider turning this dish into individual mini bread bowls using smaller sourdough rounds filled with the same garlic herb mixture and cheeses.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe, simply wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This helps preserve the texture of the cheesy filling while keeping the crust from becoming too soggy.
Freezing
This dish freezes well before baking. Prepare it up through the assembly step, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. This way, you can enjoy fresh-baked garlic herb stuffed bread anytime.
Reheating
To bring leftover or thawed stuffed bread back to life, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes, uncovered. This method restores the crisp crust and melts the cheese perfectly without drying out the bread.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
While sourdough is ideal for its crusty texture and tangy flavor, you can experiment with other dense breads like rye or a rustic Italian loaf. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the filling without getting soggy.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter, and use dairy-free cheeses that melt well, such as cashew-based mozzarella alternatives. The herbs and garlic will still shine beautifully.
Can I add other fillings?
Definitely! This Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe is versatile. You can mix in cooked mushrooms, caramelized onions, or different cheeses for unique flavor twists. Just be mindful of moisture content to avoid sogginess.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The bread should be crispy on the outside, and you’ll see gooey melted cheese inside through small cracks or by gently lifting the lid. It should take about 25 to 30 minutes wrapped, plus the extra 5 to 10 minutes uncovered for a golden top.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead for a party?
Yes! Prepare the bread as instructed and wrap it tightly in foil. Keep it refrigerated if baking within 24 hours or freeze it for longer storage. Bake right before your guests arrive for the freshest experience.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe is truly one of those comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes that feels like a warm hug straight from the oven. The way the garlic, herbs, and cheeses come together inside the crusty sourdough is pure magic. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try making it at home—you’ll find it’s not only delicious but also a joyful, easy way to turn a simple loaf of bread into something spectacularly shareable and unforgettable.
Print
Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Garlic Herb Sourdough Bread Stuffed recipe is a decadent and flavorful baked dish perfect for sharing. A large sourdough loaf is hollowed out and filled with a luscious mixture of melted butter infused with fresh garlic and herbs, then layered with gooey mozzarella, Parmesan cheeses, and optional cooked spinach. Baked until crispy on the outside and melty inside, this savory bread bowl makes a perfect appetizer or party treat.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 large round sourdough bread loaf
Garlic Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese & Filling
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the bread.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the top off the sourdough bread loaf carefully and set it aside to use as a lid later.
- Hollow Bread: Scoop out the inside of the bread loaf, leaving about a 1-inch thick wall around the edges to form a sturdy bread bowl.
- Make Garlic Herb Butter: In a bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with minced garlic, fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to infuse the flavors.
- Brush Butter Inside: Generously brush the garlic herb butter mixture onto the hollowed interior of the bread as well as the inside of the reserved bread lid.
- Add Cheese and Spinach: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan, and cooked spinach (if using) into the hollowed bread bowl, layering to distribute the filling.
- Replace Lid: Place the reserved bread lid securely back on top of the stuffed loaf to enclose the fillings.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the entire bread loaf tightly in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet to catch any drips and for easy handling.
- Bake Covered: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the bread crust is crisp and the cheese inside has melted completely.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to brown the top and develop a golden, crispy crust.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can use a mix of cheeses such as mozzarella and cheddar for a sharper taste.
- Make sure to leave thick enough bread walls (about 1 inch) so the bread bowl maintains its structure and doesn’t get soggy too quickly.
- Cook spinach beforehand to avoid excess moisture inside the bread bowl.
- Serve warm as a delicious appetizer or alongside a fresh salad for a satisfying meal.
- Leftover stuffed bread can be reheated wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
