Garlic Cheese Bread Recipe

This easy garlic cheese bread comes together in just minutes with simple ingredients and bakes up golden, melty, and perfectly garlicky. It’s the perfect quick side dish for pasta night or any cozy meal.

Easy Garlic Cheese Bread Recipe

• Incredibly easy to throw together with just a handful of ingredients.
• Cheesy, garlicky, buttery, and crispy. Making it the perfect side for any pasta dish.

Ingredients for Garlic Cheese Bread

• French Bread: A 14–16 ounce loaf works best. French bread gives you the ideal balance of soft interior and crisp edges. Italian bread or ciabatta can be used instead.
• Butter: Softened butter mixes smoothly with the garlic and herbs. Salted or unsalted both work. Just adjust the added salt accordingly.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. You can substitute dried parsley (using about a teaspoon) if needed.
• Garlic: Freshly minced or grated garlic gives the best and strongest flavor. Garlic powder (about 1 teaspoon) works in a pinch.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully and gives that classic stretchy texture. Feel free to swap with provolone or a mozzarella–cheddar blend.

How to Make Garlic Cheese Bread

Mix the garlic butter.
Add softened butter, parsley, garlic, and a big pinch of salt to a bowl and combine until smooth.

Slice the bread.
Cut the loaf into ¾–1-inch thick slices and place them cut-side up on a baking sheet.

Spread the garlic butter.
Use a knife or spatula to evenly spread the garlic butter over each piece.

Add the cheese.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over every slice.

Bake.
Bake at 400 degrees for 12–14 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Serve.
Serve cheesy garlic bread warm from the oven with spaghetti sauce for dipping.

Tips for Making Garlic Cheese Bread

• Use freshly grated mozzarella for the best melt. Pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.
• For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan before baking.
• If you prefer crispier slices, turn the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes, but watch closely!
• Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Make-Ahead Instructions

• Prep the garlic butter and slice the bread ahead of time.
• You can even spread the butter on the slices and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Add the cheese right before baking for the best texture.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover garlic cheese bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezing Garlic Cheese Bread

• Make your own Texas Toast right at home!
• Freeze unbaked slices by assembling the bread with garlic butter and cheese.
• Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
• Transfer to a freezer-safe Ziploc, and they’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Bake straight from frozen in a 400-degree oven, adding a couple extra minutes.

Reheating Garlic Cheese Bread

• Reheat in a 350-degree oven for 5–7 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again.
• Avoid the microwave! It makes the bread chewy instead of crisp.

Serving Suggestions

• easy cheesy skillet ravioli
• short rib beef ragu
• beef and cheese stuffed shells
• weeknight ground beef rigatoni
• easy one pot ravioli soup

Try these easy side dishes next!