Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread: Oven-Baked & Make-Ahead!
This Cheesy Garlic Bread is the perfect side dish, featuring warm, crusty bread slathered with garlic butter and topped with gooey, melted cheese. With a fantastic make-ahead option, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal stress.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 fresh, crusty baguette or wider Italian loaf
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 4–6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced or pressed
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Additional cheeses (optional, e.g., provolone, Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, smoked Gouda)
- Pinch of dried Italian seasoning or dried oregano (if fresh herbs aren't available)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, melt about 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter. Add minced fresh garlic, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and finely chopped fresh parsley. Stir until well combined.
- Slice your chosen loaf of bread lengthwise down the middle or horizontally about 3/4 of the way through for thicker, connected slices.
- Place the prepared bread cut-side up on a baking sheet and generously spread the garlic butter mixture over both halves.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and any additional cheeses generously over the buttered bread.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the edges of the bread are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it cool for a minute or two, slice if necessary, and serve warm with a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: For a make-ahead option, assemble the bread but do not bake. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 1 month. Adjust baking time if starting from chilled or frozen.