Description
This Quick Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish featuring a crusty bread loaf topped with garlic butter and bubbling mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked to crispy edges with gooey melted cheese, it pairs wonderfully with meals or soups and stews. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal crowd-pleaser for gatherings or a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 bread loaf approx 30cm/12" long
Garlic Butter
- 100 g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (~3 tsp)
Toppings
- 2 - 2.5 cups (200 - 250g) mozzarella cheese, grated
- Parsley, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for a perfect crispy bake.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a bowl, combine the unsalted butter with the minced garlic and salt, mixing well until thoroughly blended for maximum flavor infusion.
- Slice Bread: Carefully cut the bread loaf in half horizontally to create two flat surfaces, ideal for spreading the garlic butter evenly.
- Apply Garlic Butter: Drizzle and spread the garlic butter mixture generously all over the cut surfaces of the bread, making sure to cover every part to prevent any bland patches.
- Bake the Bread: Place the bread halves on a baking tray and bake at 160°C for 20 minutes, allowing the bread edges to become crispy and the butter to soak in.
- Add Cheese and Increase Heat: Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (390°F). Top the baked bread evenly with the grated mozzarella cheese and return to the oven for 7-10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Finish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle chopped parsley over the cheesy bread, cut into desired pieces, and serve immediately as a delicious side dish or accompaniment to soups and stews.
Notes
- Note 1: Use a sturdy bread loaf such as a French baguette or Italian bread for best results and to hold the toppings well.
- Note 2: Freshly grated mozzarella melts best and creates a creamy, stretchy texture; avoid pre-shredded cheese as it often contains anti-caking agents.
