Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread
- By Amy Dong
- Updated May. 9, 2024
This Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread is soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and teeming with garlic, butter, and cheese flavors. Turn a simple French loaf into the best garlic bread in just 10 minutes!
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
Here’s why this recipe works:
- Less than 10 Ingredients: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, just like our French Bread recipe.
- Super Quick: This garlic cheese bread comes together in a pinch, so you can easily pop it in the oven at the last minute for tempting oven-fresh bread.
- Garlic and Cheese: The combination of garlic, butter, and cheese in this recipe is simply irresistible. It’s a flavor powerhouse just like our Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots.
- Pairs with Everything: This bread is the perfect complement to a wide range of dishes, from pasta to easy soups and stews, to your favorite salads.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Crusty Bread – A thick loaf of crusty bread, like a rustic Italian or French loaf, is the base of our dish. It provides a sturdy, yet tender texture that’s perfect for soaking up the flavors of the garlic and cheese.
- Garlic – Don’t be shy here; we use eight cloves of crushed garlic, along with garlic powder, for a robust flavor. It sets our garlic cheese bread apart from the rest!
- Butter and Olive Oil – We combine butter and olive oil in a saucepan to infuse the garlic flavor and to brush the bread with, giving it a rich, buttery finish.
- Shredder Italian Blend Cheese – A cup of shredded Italian blend cheese adds a gooey, cheesy goodness that’s simply irresistible.
- Fresh Parsley – Freshly chopped herbs give your garlic bread a pop of flavor and color!
Substitutions And Variations
Here are a few of our favorite variations and substitutions that you can try with this easy recipe:
- Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. A sharp cheddar or a gooey mozzarella would work beautifully as well.
- Herbs: Rosemary or oregano would complement the flavors in this bread nicely.
- Spice: Try adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Combine crushed garlic, garlic powder, butter, and oil in a saucepan and heat over low until incorporated. Set aside.
- Split the loaf in half lengthwise and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Brush the bread generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 5-10 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Sprinkle evenly with cheese and parsley. Broil for about a minute, or until the desired level of golden brown is achieved and the cheese is melted.
- Cut into thick slices, wrap in a clean cloth, and serve immediately.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
This garlic cheese bread is best enjoyed fresh, so we recommend preparing it just before serving. However, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture in advance.
- Prep Garlic Butter Mixture: Combine the crushed garlic, garlic powder, butter, and oil in a saucepan, heat over low until incorporated, and then let it cool. Store it in the fridge and when you’re ready to make the bread, reheat it again before using.
What To Serve With Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread
Pasta
- This cheesy garlic bread is perfect for dunkin’ into a big bowl of spaghetti. We especially love it with Creamy Bruschetta Pasta and Spaghetti Alla Carbonara.
- It’s also a great side for a hearty pasta dish. Try it with our Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta for a comforting family meal.
Salads
- This bread is a great addition to any Italian-inspired meal. We love serving it with a fresh Caprese Pasta Salad or a crunchy Summer Italian Pasta Salad.
- It’s also a great side for a picnic or potluck. Pack it up with a delicious Tortellini Pasta Salad and watch it disappear.
Soups
- Cheese and garlic bread is a classic accompaniment to a bowl of piping hot soup. We recommend trying it with a hearty Minestrone Soup or a cozy Stuffed Pepper Soup.
- It’s also great for soaking up the broth in a bowl of Lentil Soup or your favorite vegetable soup.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of bread should I use for this recipe?
You’ll want to use a hearty, thick loaf of crusty bread for this recipe. A rustic Italian or French loaf works best.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The bread is done when it turns lightly golden after baking in a preheated oven at 400F for 5-10 minutes.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this garlic cheese bread?
We recommend using Italian blend cheese, as it already combines mozzarella and parmesan together. You can certainly shred those cheeses separately or try tasty alternatives such as gruyére, provolone, or cheddar.
How long does this garlic cheese bread keep?
This bread is best enjoyed fresh, right out of the oven. It is best not to keep it for longer than a day, and it’s so delicious that it gets devoured quickly.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread
This easiest garlic cheese bread is chock full of savory garlic, butter, and cheese. It’s tender and soft on the inside, and crisp on the outside.
Ingredients
- 1 large crusty bread, thick loaf, i.e., a rustic Italian or French loaf
- 8 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 4 TB butter, regular
- 4 TB olive oil, good quality
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese, shredded
- fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Combine the crushed garlic, garlic powder, butter, and oil in a saucepan and heat over low for several minutes, until incorporated. Set aside.
- Split loaf in half, lengthwise, and place on foil-lined baking sheet. Brush bread generously with garlic butter mixture.
- Bake bread 5-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove bread and sprinkle evenly with cheese and parsley.
- Adjust oven to broil, and place bread directly under broiler for about 1 minute, or until desired level browning is achieved and cheese is melted. Watch carefully and remove bread as soon as it looks done.
- Cut into thick slices and serve immediately.
Notes
- For the best results, use a thick, crusty loaf of bread like a rustic Italian or French loaf. The texture and density of this type of bread hold up well to the garlic butter and cheese.
- Fresh garlic is key in this recipe. Don’t be tempted to use pre-minced garlic from a jar; the flavor won’t be as fresh.
- Crushing the garlic rather than mincing it gives the bread a more intense and rustic garlic flavor. This also prevents the garlic from burning in the oven, as larger pieces can withstand the heat better.
- This cheesy garlic bread is perfect for dunking into a big bowl of spaghetti, like some Creamy Bruschetta Pasta and Spaghetti Carbonara.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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