Description
This Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe combines a rich blend of garlic butter, Italian seasoning, and a generous topping of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, baked until golden and bubbly for a deliciously savory appetizer or side dish. Perfectly crispy on the outside while soft and cheesy inside, this garlic bread is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pepper, to taste
Bread and Cheese Topping
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf French bread
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Butter: Take the butter out of the fridge at least an hour before starting to ensure it is softened to make mixing easier and spread evenly on the bread.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the rack in the top third of the oven to optimize the baking and broiling process.
- Mix Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mash everything together with a fork until well incorporated.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the loaf of French bread horizontally into two equal halves. Place each half cut-side up on a baking sheet, ensuring they lie flat and even for topping.
- Assemble: Spread the prepared garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves. Then, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly on top, followed by the mozzarella cheese layer.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Then switch to broil mode and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, cut into slices, and serve immediately garnished with extra fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and spreading.
- Keep an eye on the bread while broiling to prevent burning, as broil times can vary by oven.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melt quality.
- For extra garlic flavor, add an additional minced clove to the butter mixture.
- This recipe can be doubled if serving a larger crowd.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
