Description
This Garlic Bread With Cheese recipe features a crispy French bread loaf smothered in a flavorful garlic butter mixture and topped with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Baked to golden perfection, it’s an irresistible side perfect for pairing with pasta, soup, or a hearty marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 1 stick salted butter (at room temperature)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (from the 3 cups total)
Bread and Toppings
- 1 loaf French bread (about 1 lb.)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (remaining amount)
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the garlic bread.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, Italian salad dressing, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until well incorporated, forming a flavorful spread.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both halves.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Place the bread halves, buttered side up, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, followed by the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Initial Bake: Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the garlic butter to infuse the bread.
- Brown the Cheese: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake for an additional 6-8 minutes, watching closely until the cheese topping starts to turn a golden brown.
- Slice and Garnish: Remove the bread from the oven, slice into 1-inch pieces, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm as a perfect accompaniment to pasta, soup, or marinara sauce.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and better spreading.
- Keep a close watch during the high-heat baking step to prevent burning the cheese.
- Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor, but garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; garlic bread tends to become soggy as it cools.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: garlic bread, cheesy garlic bread, mozzarella, Parmesan, easy side dish, baked bread, Italian bread, appetizer
