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Cheesy Garlic Bread Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 89 reviews

This Cheesy Bread Quick Easy recipe is a flavorful and satisfying snack or appetizer featuring a crusty loaf of Italian, French, or sourdough bread topped with a savory garlic butter spread and a blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for gatherings or a comforting treat anytime.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 1 loaf (1 pound) Italian bread, French bread, or sourdough bread

Garlic Butter Spread

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cheese Topping

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional

  • Red pepper flakes, for a touch of heat
  • Additional toppings like sliced tomatoes, olives, pepperoni, etc.

Instructions

  1. Prepare Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed to ensure a flavorful spread.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
  3. Slice Bread: Carefully slice the loaf lengthwise into two halves, creating flat surfaces for the toppings.
  4. Score Bread (Optional): To help the flavors penetrate better and add appealing texture, make shallow diagonal cuts across the cut sides of each bread half, but do not slice all the way through.
  5. Spread Garlic Butter: Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves, covering every nook and cranny for maximum flavor.
  6. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over both halves of the bread. Then evenly distribute the grated Parmesan cheese on top for a rich, savory finish.
  7. Optional Toppings: If desired, add extra toppings such as sliced tomatoes, olives, pepperoni, or red pepper flakes to customize the flavor to your liking.
  8. Bake: Place the prepared bread halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns lightly golden brown.
  9. Broil (Optional): For an extra golden and crispy cheese topping, switch your oven to broil and broil the bread for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the cheesy bread to cool slightly for a few minutes. Slice into pieces and serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.

Notes

  • Use day-old or slightly stale bread for a crisper texture once baked.
  • Feel free to add your favorite herbs such as basil or thyme to the garlic butter for variation.
  • If you like heat, red pepper flakes complement the garlic butter well.
  • To save time, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture a day ahead and store it refrigerated.
  • This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on the size of your gathering.

Keywords: cheesy bread, garlic bread, easy appetizer, baked bread, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic butter spread

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/cheesy-garlic-bread-bake-recipe/