Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread is a hearty sliced loaf slathered with butter, garlic, herbs, and cheese, then baked to crisp perfection. Who doesn't love a cheesy bread full of garlic and herbs?!
With a crunchy crust on the outside, and warm buttery goodness on the inside, and an epic cheese pull, this is the perfect appetizer or side to round out any meal!
If you are looking for more tasty bread appetizers then you should try my Heirloom Tomato and Pesto Focaccia with Mozzarella and Olives and my Rosemary Garlic Butter Naan.
Who knew the ultimate cheesy garlic bread was so quick and easy to prepare? I have come across frozen garlic bread at the grocery store, loaded with butter and additives. But this Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe is simple to make and lets you be in control of what you add and how much.
Once you get a bite of this garlicky, cheesy bread, you will be adding it to every meal!
Is garlic bread an Italian dish?
Garlic bread is the American way of preparing the Italian dish known as bruschetta. Bruschetta is lightly toasted bread coated in garlic and olive oil with a touch of coarse salt to finish.
All of that cheese and butter we have grown to love on garlic bread is a far cry from bruschetta! But, we often pair garlic bread with classic Italian dishes. So we can refer to Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread as "Italian-inspired."
ingredients
- Loaf of Bread: Choose a thick, hearty bread so that it will hold the topping and bake with a nice crust. Ciabatta or Sourdough are my top options. French bread would work too. Some people even use cheesy breadsticks. Feel free to get creative!
- Salted Butter: Use a high quality salted butter at room temperature so it will spread evenly.
- Garlic: Fresh, diced garlic is best. It tastes great with the butter and cheese and also adds texture.
- Herbs: I used fresh rosemary, parsley, and chives for color and flavor.
- Olive Oil: This softens the inside of the bread and allows the bread to get nice and toasty on the outside. It also adds flavor!
- Cheese: I used a combination of parmesan and mozzarella because they melt well and compliment each other. Shred your own.
- Lemon Zest: This fresh spritz of citrus adds an unexpected freshness to the garlic bread and helps to balance out the saltiness of the other ingredients.
- Seasoning: Just a pinch of salt and pepper for taste!
the best cheese for bread
Mozzarella and Parmesan are the best in my opinion! Mozzarella gives the bread that beautiful cheese pull and chewy texture and Parmesan adds so much flavor and pairs SO well with the fresh herbs and garlic.
how to make garlic bread
It only takes a few steps!
- Mix together butter, garlic, fresh herbs, mozzarella and parmesan, and lemon zest in a small bowl.
- Cut the loaf of bread in half and sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Spread the cheesy garlic butter on top of the bread and top with additional cheese.
- Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes then broil for 2-3 minutes.
tips for making the best garlic bread
- If you want to add a bit of heat, include red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the butter spread.
- Watch the bread carefully while it is baking. If it appears to be cooking too quickly, place foil over it.
- When the loaf is fresh out of the oven, give it a few miniutes to cool before slicing. We want it warm, not scorching hot!
- Prevent the garlic bread from becoming soggy by not letting it sit too for long after it is done baking.
- For a nice charred crispy top, broil the bread in the oven for 2-3 minutes, (see the recipe below).
what to serve with Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a family favorite and delicious addition to any dinner. I am thinking soups, salads, and pasta. If you are looking for some meal inspiration, try pairing it with one of the following:
- Sausage and Spinach Gnocchi Bake
- One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Brussels Sprouts
- Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup
- Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad
- Crispy Oven Baked Cajun BBQ Wings
MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE!
- Pane Rustico with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Roasted Mushroom and Pepperoni Pizza
- Sage Brown Butter Biscuit with Parmesan
- Roasted Red Pepper and Sausage Pizza
- Classic French Baguettes Recipe
LOVING This Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread? LET'S STAY CONNECTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA! NEVER MISS A RECIPE BY FOLLOWING ME ON PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, AND INSTAGRAM!
Let's stay connected on social media and continue to cook together! Also, if you decide to make this recipe, please leave a star rating on the recipe card and leave a comment below! Tag @BritneyBreaksBread on Instagram and hashtag #britneybreaksbread so I can see your creations! I hope that you love this recipe as much as we do!
Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- Loaf of Ciabatta or Sourdough
- 1 cup Butter, room temperature
- 8 cloves Garlic, diced
- 1 tbsp Fresh rosemary, diced
- 3 tbsps Fresh parsley, diced
- 2 tbsps Fresh chives, diced
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ cup Parmesan, grated
- ½ cup Mozzarella, shredded
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
- pinch Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, mash together butter, garlic, rosemary, parsley, chives, olive oil, parmesan, mozzarella, and lemon zest. Set aside.
- Cut the loaf of bread in half, lengthwise, and add to a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven until slightly toasted, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the butter on top of the bread. Top with additional mozzarella cheese as desired.
- Bake for additional 5-8 minutes then broil for about 2-3 minutes, until golden.
Notes
- If you want to add a bit of heat, include red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the butter spread.
- Watch the bread carefully while it is baking. If it appears to be cooking too quickly, place foil over it.
- When the loaf is fresh out of the oven, give it a few miniutes to cool before slicing. We want it warm, not scorching hot!
- Prevent the garlic bread from becoming soggy by not letting it sit too for long after it is done baking.
- For a nice charred crispy top, broil the bread in the oven for 2-3 minutes, (see the recipe).
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