This Garlic Cheese Bread is irresistibly gooey and packed with garlic flavor. It pairs well with a variety of dishes, but with this level of cheesiness, you might find it hard to resist enjoying it on its own.
Recipe Details
Who could possibly dislike Garlic Cheese Bread? I frequently prepare this recipe as it’s incredibly simple and a crowd-pleaser. Additionally, it can be easily adapted to accompany various meals. This delightful comfort food makes the perfect side for your favorite dishes.
- TASTE: Buttery, garlicky, and topped with a sharp cheese layer, this Garlic Cheese Bread is bursting with flavor.
- TEXTURE: The interior of the bread is soft and fluffy, while the exterior has a crunchy crust. The topping is wonderfully gooey.
- TIME: You can whip this up in just 10 minutes.
- EASE: This recipe is incredibly straightforward, requiring only a few ingredients and steps.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Country French bread – This bread is ideal due to its sturdy and wide structure, making it the perfect base for all the cheesy toppings.
- Garlic cloves – Use pressed garlic, although garlic powder can be a substitute for this homemade cheese bread.
- Unsalted butter – Softened butter makes for easier spreading.
- Mayonnaise – Adds creaminess and allows for a smoother application of the cheesy garlic topping.
- Cheese – Shredded medium cheddar cheese mixed with mozzarella. Sharp cheddar cheese can also be used.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Alternative breads – Other bread options include baguettes, Italian bread, whole wheat bread, and even gluten-free varieties.
- Spicy option – Use pepper jack cheese in place of mozzarella and add jalapeños on top for a kick.
- Gourmet twist – Elevate your garlic bread by incorporating gruyere cheese and mushrooms.
- Caprese style – For a fresh take, try using fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil.
How to Make Garlic Cheese Bread
- Prepare the cheese mix. In a large bowl, mix together the cheeses, mayonnaise, softened butter, and pressed garlic using a spatula.
- Slice the bread. Halve the loaf of bread and set the cut sides up on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Top the bread with cheese. Evenly distribute the cheese mixture over each half of the bread.
- Broil it. Place the cheese-topped bread under the broiler for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Let cool, then slice and serve.
Pro Tip: Give the bread a few minutes to cool before using a bread knife to cut it, which will help keep the cheese from pulling away.
Recipe Tips
- Shred your own cheese: Using freshly shredded cheese improves meltability, as pre-shredded varieties typically contain starch that prevents proper melting.
- Select a sturdy bread: Opt for country French bread, which is soft yet has a robust crust. Avoid overly soft breads that might become mushy.
- Consider making your own bread: You can prepare homemade bread using all-purpose or bread flour, active dry yeast, and salt. After preparing the dough and allowing it to rise, top it with the cheesy blend.
- Reheat in the oven: When reheating, placing the bread on a baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes is preferable to using a microwave, as this minimizes sogginess.
FAQs
Yes, leftover garlic cheese bread can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If it hasn’t been sliced, wait until it’s reheated before cutting it.
After cooking and cooling the cheese bread, place it on a baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the toppings, then transfer it to a ziplock freezer bag for several months of storage.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Garlic Cheese Bread is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of dishes. It’s particularly excellent with pizza, soups, pasta, and salads.
- Pizza: This bread complements favorite pizzas, including Margherita, Chicken Pesto, Mushroom Arugula Flatbread, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread.
- Salad: Perfect alongside a Caprese Pasta Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad, or Cabbage Cucumber Salad.
- Soup: Serve this delicious bread with a bowl of Easy French Onion Soup, Chicken Meatball Soup, Tomato Basil Soup, or Potato Leek Soup.
- Pasta: Pair this cheesy delight with Spaghetti and Meatballs, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Pasta Pomodoro, or Asparagus Pasta.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: If you’re pressed for time, you can prepare the cheese filling the night before and keep it in a covered container in the fridge until you’re ready to bake the garlic cheese bread.
Storing: The best method for storing this bread is in a ziplock bag where you can remove as much air as possible. At room temperature, it will stay fresh for about 2 days, and in the refrigerator, it will last for approximately a week.
Freeze: If frozen, it can be kept for several months. Be sure not to slice it until you thaw and reheat it.
More Delicious Breads!
- Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks
- Multigrain Harvest Bread Recipe
- Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe
- Focaccia Bread Recipe
Watch the Video Here
Complete Recipe Instructions
Garlic Cheese Bread
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Ingredients
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- 1 loaf country French bread
- 2 garlic cloves
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz medium cheddar cheese
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and the shredded cheeses. I highly recommend using this grater to extract maximum flavor from the garlic.
- Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together using a spatula.
- Next, cut a large loaf of French bread or your preferred type of bread in half lengthwise.
- Arrange the sliced bread pieces on a baking sheet lined with foil, cut sides facing up.
- Spread the garlic cheese mixture evenly over both halves of the bread, then broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. After baking, allow the bread to cool for a few moments before slicing into strips, using a bread knife for precision.
Notes
Flavor variations
- Make it spicy- Swap out mozzarella for pepper jack cheese and add jalapenos on top.
- Caprese bread- Incorporate fresh mozzarella, slices of tomatoes, and fresh basil for a new twist.
- Go gourmet- Create a gourmet version with gruyere cheese and mushrooms.
- Herbs & Lemon- Combine fresh herbs, feta cheese, and lemon for a delightful flavor.
What pairs well with cheese bread?
- Delicious Meatballs with Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and pasta
- Lemon Chicken Piccata
- Creamy Potato Soup with Leeks
Nutrition
Calories:
532
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
39
g
|
Protein:
21
g
|
Fat:
33
g
|
Saturated Fat:
16
g
|
Cholesterol:
79
mg
|
Sodium:
757
mg
|
Potassium:
133
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 741IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 361mg | Iron: 3mg