Prepare to elevate your dining experience with our Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread, a side dish that promises to steal the spotlight! This recipe takes the classic garlic bread you know and love, infusing it with an irresistible blend of cheeses, aromatic garlic, and a hint of herbs, resulting in a mouth-watering creation that’s crispy on the outside and sumptuously soft on the inside. Perfect for dipping, sharing, or enjoying all on its own, this cheesy garlic bread is the ultimate addition to pasta nights, soups, salads, or any meal that could use a touch of garlicky goodness. Discover why this cheesy delight should be your new go-to recipe for impressing guests or indulging in a comforting homemade treat.
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Why You’ll Love Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread:
- Irresistibly Cheesy: A generous amount of melted cheese on top makes every bite heavenly.
- Garlic Butter Perfection: The blend of butter, fresh garlic, and herbs creates a flavor that’s both rich and aromatic.
- Versatile & Shareable: Perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or as a treat to enjoy anytime.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip this up in no time.
Ingredients Notes For Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread:
- Baguette or Italian Bread: The base of your garlic bread; choose a fresh loaf for the best results.
- Butter: Softened, for easy spreading and rich flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for that punchy garlic taste.
- Parsley: Fresh or dried, to add a pop of color and freshness.
- Cheeses: A blend of mozzarella and Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy experience.
- Optional Add-Ins: Red pepper flakes for a kick, or other herbs like basil or oregano for extra flavor.
Recipe Steps:
- Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 375°F (190°C) to get started.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Mix softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt.
- Slice the Bread: Cut the baguette or Italian bread in half lengthwise.
- Spread the Garlic Butter: Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bread.
- Bake: Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 10-15 minutes.
- Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve Warm: Slice and serve the cheesy garlic bread while it’s still warm and gooey.
Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm it up in the oven or toaster oven to bring back the crispy texture.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of Italian bread or French bread
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional, for extra garlic flavor
- Salt to taste
- Red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of heat
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture:
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Mix the Butter and Garlic: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with the minced garlic. Add garlic powder if using, and mix well to create a smooth garlic butter.
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Add Herbs: Stir in the chopped parsley (and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of spice) into the garlic butter mixture.
Prepare the Bread:
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Cut the Bread: Slice the bread in half lengthwise. You can also slice it into individual portions before baking if you prefer.
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Spread Garlic Butter: Spread the garlic butter mixture generously over the cut sides of the bread.
Add Cheese:
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Sprinkle Cheeses: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the buttered bread. Add a bit more cheese if you like it extra cheesy.
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Season: Lightly season with salt (if your butter isn’t salted).
Bake:
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Bake: Place the bread halves on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the bread are starting to turn golden brown.
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Broil for Crispiness: For a golden-brown top, you can broil the bread for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, but watch it closely to prevent burning.
Serve:
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Cool and Cut: Allow the bread to cool for a minute or two, then cut into slices if you haven’t pre-sliced it.
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Serve Warm: Serve the cheesy garlic bread warm, as is or with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.