Description
A quick and delicious recipe for Cheesy Garlic Bread featuring a crispy golden crust with a flavorful garlic butter spread, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and finished with fresh parsley. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 (14 oz) loaf French bread (or Italian bread)
Garlic Butter Spread
- 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic, or 1 tsp granulated garlic
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise, cutting through the height of the bread. Prepare two 24-inch sheets of foil, placing them side by side with a slight overlap, on a rimmed cookie sheet. Lay the bread halves cut side up on the foil-lined baking sheet.
- Make Garlic Butter Spread: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until fully blended into a spreadable consistency. Then, evenly spread this mixture over the entire surface of both bread halves, including the edges to prevent burning.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the bread with the foil by crimping the edges together and rolling the ends up, creating a sealed packet. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes to let the bread absorb the garlic butter flavors and warm through.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and open the foil, rolling the edges to expose the bread surface. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over both bread halves. Return the bread to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 5 to 6 minutes. During the last 1 to 2 minutes, switch to broil mode while keeping a close watch to achieve a crispy, golden cheese topping.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cheese is melted and golden, remove the bread from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley evenly over the top. Let the bread cool slightly before slicing into portions. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh minced garlic for a more intense garlic flavor; granulated garlic can be substituted for convenience.
- Be careful during the broiling step to prevent the cheese from burning—watch it closely.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, ensure your parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
- This bread is best served warm and fresh but can be reheated in the oven wrapped in foil.
- Adjust salt to taste depending on the saltiness of your butter and cheese.
