Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Easy & Homemade) Recipe
This Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe is an easy and homemade delight, featuring roasted garlic butter and a decadent blend of mozzarella, havarti (or white cheddar), and Parmesan cheeses baked to golden perfection on a crusty Italian loaf. Perfectly crispy, gooey, and flavorful, it’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Butter and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Bread and Cheese
- 1 large Italian loaf (take and bake style)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup havarti or white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the garlic bread.
- Roast garlic: Coat the garlic cloves with olive oil, wrap them in foil, and roast them in the oven for 12-15 minutes until they develop a golden color. Mash or chop the roasted garlic with a fork or knife for maximum flavor infusion.
- Prepare garlic butter: In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and the roasted garlic. Stir the mixture well to evenly distribute all the flavors.
- Spread garlic butter on bread: Cut the Italian loaf in half horizontally, and generously spread the garlic butter mixture on the cut sides of both halves.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, havarti (or white cheddar), and grated Parmesan evenly over the buttered bread halves, ensuring full coverage for a cheesy, melty topping.
- Bake the bread: Place the prepared bread on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns slightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top. Slice into individual servings and enjoy warm for best gooey, cheesy experience.
Notes
- Roasting the garlic enhances its sweetness and reduces sharpness, but the step can be skipped if pressed for time.
- Feel free to substitute havarti with white cheddar or your preferred semi-soft cheese for variation.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add color and a mild herbaceous note.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
Keywords: cheesy garlic bread, homemade garlic bread, roasted garlic, Italian bread appetizer, easy garlic bread recipe, baked cheese bread
