Description

This Cheesy Bread Recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish featuring a crusty loaf of French or Italian bread topped with a flavorful garlic butter spread and a blend of melted mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to bubbly perfection and optionally broiled for a golden crust, this cheesy garlic bread is perfect for serving alongside pasta, soup, or salad, or as a tasty starter with marinara dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Butter Spread

1 loaf French bread or Italian bread, halved lengthwise
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cheese Topping

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish (Optional)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
Spread Garlic Butter on Bread: Evenly spread the prepared garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the halved bread loaf, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
Mix Cheese Blend: In a separate bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheeses. Toss lightly to mix the cheeses evenly.
Add Cheese to Bread: Sprinkle the combined cheese mixture evenly over the buttered bread halves, covering the surfaces for a rich, cheesy topping.
Bake the Bread: Place the prepared bread halves on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and is bubbly.
Broil for Golden Topping (Optional): For a golden, slightly crisp top, switch the oven to broil on high and broil the bread for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and, if using, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Allow the bread to cool for 2 minutes, then slice into 8 pieces and serve warm.

Notes

You can add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
Feel free to swap in your favorite cheese blend depending on your preference.
This cheesy bread pairs wonderfully as a side dish with pasta, soups, or salads.
Serve as an appetizer with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired