Garlic Cheese Bread is an utterly delicious treat, oozing with gooey cheese and an abundance of garlic flavor. While it pairs beautifully with various meals, the rich cheesiness might tempt you to savor it all on its own.
Recipe Overview
Who doesn’t love Garlic Cheese Bread? I make this recipe repeatedly because it’s quick and universally loved. It’s also quite versatile, serving as a fantastic side dish for numerous entrees. This delightful comfort food is a perfect accompaniment to your favorite meals.
- FLAVOR: Rich with buttery and garlicky notes, topped with a sharp cheese layer, this Garlic Cheese Bread is full of flavor.
- TEXTURE: The inside is soft and fluffy, contrasted by a crispy exterior, with a delectably gooey topping.
- TIME: Ready in just 10 minutes.
- EASE: The recipe is remarkably simple, needing only a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps.
Ingredients Required
Essential Ingredient Insights
- Country French bread – This type of bread is perfect due to its robust and broad structure, making it an ideal base for all that cheesy goodness.
- Garlic cloves – Freshly pressed garlic is best, but garlic powder can be an acceptable alternative.
- Unsalted butter – Softened for easy spreading across the bread.
- Mayonnaise – This adds creaminess and creates a smoother spread for the cheesy garlic topping.
- Cheese – A blend of mozzarella and shredded medium cheddar works well, though sharp cheddar can be used too.
Possible Add-ins and Swaps
- Different bread choices – Alternatives like baguettes, Italian bread, whole wheat, and gluten-free options can also work well.
- Spicy twist – Substitute pepper jack cheese for mozzarella and add jalapeños for a bit of heat.
- Gourmet version – For a refined touch, mix in gruyère cheese and sautéed mushrooms.
- Caprese style – To give a fresh flavor, consider adding fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil.
Steps to Prepare Garlic Cheese Bread
- Make the cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses, mayonnaise, softened butter, and pressed garlic using a spatula.
- Slice the bread. Cut the loaf in half and position the cut sides up on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Top the bread with cheese. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over each half of the bread.
- Broil it. Place the cheese-covered bread under the broiler for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Allow it to cool, then slice and serve.
Pro Tip: Let the bread cool for a few minutes before cutting with a bread knife to prevent the cheese from pulling away.
Recipe Tips
- Shred your own cheese: For better melt quality, opt for freshly shredded cheese, as pre-shredded options often contain starch that can hinder melting.
- Select a robust bread: Choose a country French bread that is tender yet boasts a sturdy crust. Avoid excessively soft breads that might turn mushy.
- Consider baking your own bread: Make homemade bread using all-purpose or bread flour, active dry yeast, and salt. After kneading and letting the dough rise, top it with the cheesy mix.
- Reheat in the oven: For reheating, place the bread on a baking sheet and heat in the oven for several minutes rather than using a microwave, which can lead to sogginess.
FAQs
Should garlic cheese bread be stored in the refrigerator?Yes, leftover garlic cheese bread can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the bread remains uncut, avoid slicing until it is reheated.
Can I freeze garlic bread?Once cooked and cooled, place the cheese bread on a baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes to set the toppings, then transfer it to a ziplock freezer bag for storage lasting several months.
Serving Suggestions
This delectable Garlic Cheese Bread is highly adaptable and pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes. It’s particularly ideal when served with pizza, soups, pasta, and salads.
- Pizza: This bread pairs well with popular pizza varieties like Margherita, Chicken Pesto, Mushroom Arugula Flatbread, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread.
- Salad: It complements a Caprese Pasta Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad, or Cabbage Cucumber Salad beautifully.
- Soup: Enjoy this flavorful bread alongside Easy French Onion Soup, Chicken Meatball Soup, Tomato Basil Soup, or Potato Leek Soup.
- Pasta: This cheesy bread is the perfect companion for Spaghetti and Meatballs, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Pasta Pomodoro, or Asparagus Pasta.
Prepare This Recipe Ahead of Time
Make ahead: If you’re short on time, prepare the cheese filling the night prior and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake the garlic cheese bread.
Storing: To store this bread effectively, use a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible. It will remain fresh for about two days at room temperature and can last around a week when refrigerated.
Freeze: If frozen, it can be kept for several months; remember to avoid slicing until after thawing and reheating.
Explore More Delicious Breads!
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1. Begin by slicing a large loaf of French bread or any preferred variety in half lengthwise.
2. Place the cut sides of the bread facing up on a baking sheet lined with foil.
3. Evenly distribute the garlic cheese mixture across both halves of the bread and then broil in the oven for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. After baking, let the bread cool for a few moments before cutting it into strips with a bread knife for accuracy.
### Notes
**Flavor variations:**
– **Spicy version:** Replace mozzarella with pepper jack cheese and top with jalapeños.
– **Caprese style:** Add fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil for a refreshing twist.
– **Gourmet touch:** Use gruyere cheese combined with mushrooms for a sophisticated taste.
– **Herb & lemon:** Mix in fresh herbs, feta cheese, and lemon for a delightful flavor profile.**What pairs well with cheese bread?**
– Mouthwatering meatballs with homemade spaghetti sauce and pasta
– Lemon chicken piccata
– Creamy potato soup with leeks### Nutrition
– **Calories:** 532 kcal
– **Carbohydrates:** 39 g
– **Protein:** 21 g
– **Fat:** 33 g
– **Saturated Fat:** 16 g
– **Cholesterol:** 79 mg
mg
|
Sodium:
757
mg
|
Potassium:
133
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
2
g
|
Vitamin A:
741
IU
|
Vitamin C:
1
mg
|
Calcium:
361
mg
|
Iron:
3
mg
