Cheesy Garlic Bread

Cheesy garlic bread is one of the most delicious comfort foods to indulge in as an appetizer, a side to your favorite bowl of pasta, or as a snack dipped into marinara sauce. My hot and cheesy garlic bread recipe is made with a flavorful spread of softened butter flecked with a flavorful combination of lots of fresh garlic, herbs, lemon zest, a pinch of red pepper flakes, along with a sprinkle of parmesan plus a decadent topping of melted four cheese blend!

Irresistibly Hot and Cheesy

If a platter of fresh-out-of-the-oven cheesy garlic bread were to be passed in front of me, there'd be little I could do to refrain from enjoying a couple of thick slices.

There's just something about garlic bread that's ultra cozy, extra comforting, and just plain irresistible, what with that combination of rich butter and aromatic garlic—a partnership made in food heaven. And if we're talking a sprinkle of cheese on top? Well, that seals the deal!

I love a classic French bread-style homemade garlic bread, one that's split down the middle into two glorious halves to reveal the soft, pillowy interior smothered in that garlicky butter combo.

And I'm also rather partial to an aromatic sprinkle of fresh and dried herbs, a teeny kiss of lemon zest, maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes, and definitely a hint of savory parmesan and a gooey addition of four cheese blend for added flavor.

Seeing as we're talking garlic bread, why not go big?

My cheesy garlic bread recipe is definitely one with a slightly gourmet slant, but one that is very easy to make and enjoy whenever that craving for hot, fresh, cheesy garlic bread beckons.

It's quick to prep in the comfort of your own kitchen, with delicious ingredients!

My Recipe for Cheesy Garlic Bread

There are two types of bread that I really think work great when preparing homemade garlic bread, and one of those is a classic French loaf with a crusty exterior and soft interior. The other is ciabatta bread, which is also very soft and tender, but slightly chewier and narrower.

For this recipe, I'm opting for the French loaf, freshly-baked for a nice soft, tender texture that melts in the mouth.

I like to split the loaf open horizontally to create two half-loaves, and then spread the garlic mixture over both, bake, top with cheese, broil, then slice into pieces.

This style of cheesy garlic bread is my favorite, because it is not wrapped in foil, so it gets those slightly golden and crisp-toasted edges, but still has that soft, pillowy middle where that buttery spread delectably penetrates and melts into the bread.

It's the best of both worlds, one where you can taste the garlic, the butter, the herbs and the cheeses all at once, in every mouthwatering bite-full!

Here's a glance at my cheesy garlic bread recipe: (or just jump to the full recipe...)

1. To get started, I prepare my scrumptious garlic butter spread using softened butter and the rest of my seasoning ingredients, and set that aside.
2. Next, I cut my French loaf in half horizontally, to create two halves, spread both halves equally (and generously!) with my garlic butter mixture, then place onto a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Then, I bake the garlic bread for just for a few minutes.
4. When done, I remove it from the oven and turn my oven's broiler on, then top each half-loaf of garlic bread with a sprinkle of four cheese blend, and place under the broiler just to melt the cheese and make the edges of the cheesy garlic bread golden brown.
5. To serve, I cut the two garlic bread halves into thick slices, sprinkle over the rest of the grated parmigiano reggiano, some fresh basil and/or parsley, and serve the cheesy garlic bread as is, or with my homemade marinara sauce for dipping!

Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Bread

by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

This hot, cheesy garlic bread is made with lots of fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, plus parmesan cheese and four cheese blend!

Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Yield: Serves 8

Nutrition Info: 313 calories (per 2 pieces)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Total time: 27 minutes

Ingredients:

• ½ cup organic, unsalted butter, softened
• 8 to 10 cloves of garlic (depending on how garlic-y you like things), pressed through garlic press
• ¼ teaspoon (generous) salt
• ¼ teaspoon lemon zest (optional, but really adds something special)
• Pinch black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of kick)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano (or good quality grated parmesan cheese)
• 14 to 16 ounce loaf French bread, cut into two equal halves horizontally
• 1 cup Italian four cheese blend
• Chopped parsley and/or basil leaves, for garnish

Preparation:

1. Begin by gathering and prepping all of your ingredients according to ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°, and line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
3. Place the softened butter into a large bowl, and add into it the pressed garlic, salt, lemon zest, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning and 2 tablespoons of the grated parmigiano reggiano cheese. Using a rubber spatula, mix the ingredients very well until combined and the butter is quite fluffy and creamy.
4. Place the two halves of the French bread onto your prepared baking sheet, and spread each half generously and equally with the garlic butter mixture, taking care to get all the way to the edges of the bread to cover every nook and cranny for flavor.
5. Place the two garlic bread halves into the oven for 10 minutes, just until a very light golden color, and the butter has melted into the bread. Remove the garlic bread from the oven, and set your oven to the “broil” setting now.
6. Sprinkle over each garlic bread half about ½ cup of the Italian four cheese blend, going all the way to the edges. Place the bread back into to the oven, under the broiler, for about 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden-brown.
7. To finish the cheesy garlic bread, cut each half-loaf into 8 thick slices (I like to cut slightly on the diagonal), and place onto a platter of serving plate. Sprinkle over top the remaining two tablespoons of grated parmigiano reggiano, as well as the chopped parsley and/or torn basil leaves, and serve hot.

Tips & Tidbits for my Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe:

• French loaf or ciabatta bread for soft, tender texture: My first pick for this recipe is a classic French loaf, but ciabatta is a terrific option as well. Just cut the loaf lengthwise, or horizontally, to create two half-loaves, then spread each with the garlic butter mixture.
• Unsalted, organic butter: When it comes to butter, I always opt for unsalted, organic butter for quality, and to be able to control the amount of salt in the recipe. I like to add my own level of salt, and the salted butter can create too salty a flavor.
• Lots of fresh garlic cloves for lots of garlicky flavor: When it comes to garlic bread, one should really be able to taste that earthy garlicky flavor, so I'm using what seems like a lot of garlic cloves for this recipe. Don't worry, it isn't too much. The flavor mingles deliciously with the butter, and what you get is real, actual garlic flavor in each bite!
• Getting cheesy with your garlic bread: I love the flavor of real, grated parmigiano reggiano cheese on garlic bread, and also a sprinkle of meltable four cheese blend for even more depth. The two blends together add terrific flavor, and make this cheesy garlic bread extra tasty.
• Smaller portion of garlic bread, for fewer people: This recipe serves 8 people, which is 4 people per half-loaf of garlic bread. If you only need to feed 4 people, then use only half of a loaf of the French bread, and freeze the other half for another time. Simply use half of the other ingredients in this case, as well.

Hungry for more cozy, cheesy recipes? Check out this French Bread Pizza, this Naan Pizza, this Flatbread Pizza, this BBQ Chicken Pizza, or this Cast Iron Pizza!