Description
Fluffy Cheesy Garlic Bread is a soft, savory delight. Learn Mama Tessa’s tips for a perfect loaf, complete with buttery garlic goodness and melty cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- Dough Essentials:
- 1 sturdy loaf of Italian or French bread (about 12–14 inches)
- Garlic Butter Goodness:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or more, I won’t judge!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Cheesy Topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (shred your own for best melt!)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Bread:: First things first, grab that beautiful loaf of bread. I usually slice it lengthwise, almost all the way through but leaving the bottom intact. Think of it like a hot dog bun, but for garlic bread! This lets all that garlicky goodness seep into every crevice. I’ve tried slicing it all the way through, and honestly, it just makes a mess when you’re spreading the butter. Keep it connected, trust me.
- Whip Up the Garlic Butter:: Now for the star of the show! In a small bowl, melt your unsalted butter. Add the minced fresh garlic, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir it all together. You want that butter to be fragrant and smooth. This is where the kitchen starts to smell amazing, and I always take a moment to just breathe it in. Don’t let the butter get too hot, or the garlic might burn when you bake it later. Oops, I’ve done that before!
- Spread the Fluffy Cheesy Garlic Bread Love:: Generously spread that incredible garlic butter mixture all over the cut sides of your bread. Seriously, don’t be shy! Get it into all those nooks and crannies. This is the foundation for our Fluffy Cheesy Garlic Bread. I love seeing the butter absorb into the bread, knowing it’s going to make it super soft. Sometimes I even use my fingers to make sure it’s really coated, a little messy but worth it!
- Load Up the Cheese:: Time for the cheesy magic! Sprinkle both the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bread. Pile it on! You want a good, thick layer because that’s what gives us those glorious cheese pulls. I tend to go a little overboard here, but hey, can you ever have too much cheese? I think not!
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Carefully transfer your loaded bread onto a baking sheet. Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes. You’re looking for that beautiful golden-brown crust and bubbly, melted cheese. Keep an eye on it, because ovens can be quirky. I once got distracted and almost burnt the edges, which, to be real, was a tragic moment for garlic bread. Just watch for that perfect color!
- Finishing Touches and Serve:: Once it’s out of the oven, immediately sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. The heat from the bread will bring out the aroma of the parsley, and it just looks so inviting. Let it cool for just a minute or two – you don’t want to burn your tongue, but you do want that cheese to still be wonderfully gooey. The smell filling your kitchen right now? That’s the smell of pure happiness, my friend. Slice it up, or tear into it, and enjoy this Fluffy Cheesy Garlic Bread!