Garlic, butter, and three kinds of cheese melted into crusty French bread—cheesy garlic bread just makes the whole kitchen smell like you’re winning at dinner. Buttery, crisp-edged, and melty all over, with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan bringing their own cheesy superpowers? Yeah, it’s that good.
There’s something ridiculously satisfying about slicing into a warm slab of this cheesy, golden bread and hearing that soft crunch as your knife hits the crust. Whether it’s pasta night, soup season, or you’re just looking for an excuse to turn your oven on and eat something cozy, this is your carb-loving, flavor-packed friend. Plus, there’s garlic. Lots of it. Enough to make your neighbors jealous.
Table of Contents
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Why You’ll Love this Cheesy Garlic Bread
This one doesn’t need much convincing. I mean, bread PLUS cheese? Classic. But just in case you’re wondering why this version is worth toasting up in your kitchen…
- Ridiculously simple to make: You just squish, smear, melt, and drizzle. No fancy tools, no stress.
- Crusty outside, gooey inside: That perfect contrast gets me every time. It’s lightly crisp on the bottom and loaded with melty cheese on top.
- Three cheeses, no regrets: Mozzarella for stretch, cheddar for richness, Parmesan for that salty sharpness. Trust the trio.
- Flexible enough for anything: Pair it with soup, pasta, or sneak bites while leaning on the counter waiting for your main dish to finish.
- Smells like a dream: As it bakes, the butter and garlic do that thing where your kitchen smells like a tiny Italian bakery.
- Freezes like a champ: Make extra, wrap it tight, and reheat when hangry. More on that below.
Ingredient Notes
Only a few ingredients stand between you and carb-filled joy. Here’s what you need to know before getting all buttery.
- French bread: A good crusty loaf gives the structure this bread needs. The inside stays soft but the outer edges crisp up beautifully.
- Salted butter: Go for softened—room temp is key for spreading. The salt brings balance to the richness.
- Garlic: I go for 4 big cloves, finely minced. If you’re garlic-devoted like me, use 5.
- Parsley: Adds some freshness, and a little sprinkle on top makes it feel fancier than it probably is.
- Italian seasoning: A simple blend of herbs gives depth without needing a zillion spice jars.
- Black pepper: Just a pinch for a little warm bite.
- Mozzarella: Melty, gooey, and stretchy. Half gets blended into the butter; the other half goes on top.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp and bold, it adds richness and a bit more attitude.
- Parmesan cheese: The salty, nutty hero that finishes things off and gives you that irresistible golden top.
How To Make This Cheesy Garlic Bread
This comes together in just minutes—with the only hard part being resisting the urge to eat it all straight from the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F: That way everything’s ready to go once you’ve prepped your mega-buttery loaf. No one wants to wait for an oven when cheesy bread’s involved.
- Slice the bread lengthwise: You want two long halves, cut-side up. Place them on a baking sheet, ready for their buttery fate. I like to line it with parchment for less mess.
- Mix the butter blend: In a bowl, stir together the softened butter, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and half of the mozzarella. Yep, you’re adding cheese directly to the butter. Magic.
- Slather it on generously: Don’t hold back. Smear that garlicky butter-cheese mixture all over both halves. All the way to the edges. Every corner deserves love.
- Add the rest of the cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, all the cheddar, and the Parmesan on top. It’ll look like too much. That means it’s perfect.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes: The cheese should be melted and bubbly. For a bit of crunch and golden goodness, throw it under the broiler for 1–2 minutes… but watch closely. Broilers get ambitious.
- Garnish and serve: Let it cool just a bit (molten cheese things are sneaky hot), sprinkle with more fresh parsley, and slice thick. Then sink into cheesy carb heaven.
Storage Options
Let’s say—hypothetically—you don’t eat it all in one sitting. Here’s how to give that cheesy garlic bread a second life.
Wrap leftovers tightly in foil, then pop them in the fridge. They’ll last about 3–4 days, though good luck ignoring them every time you open the fridge. To reheat, warm in a toaster oven or bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. It’ll re-crisp and get melty again.
As for freezing, yes, you totally can. I like to tightly wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then stash them in a zip-top bag. That way you only reheat what you need. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until hot and sizzling.
Just skip the microwave. It turns your beautiful crusty bread into a soft, sad sponge. No one asked for that.
Variations and Substitutions
If you feel like jazzing things up, this cheesy garlic bread is very open-minded. Try one of these twists for fun.
- Roasted garlic instead of raw: Roast a bulb until soft and caramelized, then mash it into the butter. The flavor gets sweet and mellow and honestly kinda fancy.
- Add a little heat: Mix chili flakes into the garlic butter or throw on some sliced jalapeños before baking for a fiery kick.
- Swap in other cheeses: Fontina, provolone, or even crumbled goat cheese bring fun new flavors. Just stick with good melters.
- Herb it up: Fancy a fresher vibe? Add chopped basil, thyme, or oregano to the butter. It’s kind of like an herb butter situation in disguise.
- Use a different bread: Try it with ciabatta or sourdough, especially if that’s what you have lying around. Sometimes the best recipes happen through happy laziness.
What to Serve with Cheesy Garlic Bread
Honestly? I could eat this on its own, standing over the baking sheet before it even cools. But if we’re thinking about food-pairing like real grownups, here are some winners.
-
A cozy tomato soup: Nothing beats a dunkable moment. That buttery crust soaking up rich soup is next-level soothing. Or, if you’re feeling bold, pair with spicy tomato bisque and swear you invented something gourmet.
-
Pasta night perfection: Whether it’s a simple marinara or something creamy like Alfredo, this is the perfect sidekick. If you’ve got leftovers from this oven baked mac and cheese bites, they’d be amazing next to this cheesy bread.
-
A big crunchy salad: Think arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and some shaved Parmesan. That little bit of salad guilt? Balanced immediately by extra cheese on bread.
-
Weeknight fish dishes: Surprisingly good with lighter mains like this pan seared cod with rainbow chard. The freshness plays well with the richness here.
-
Leftover reheat lunch: Pop a slice into the toaster oven, serve it with whatever soup or grain bowl you’ve got on standby, and pretend it’s meal prep.
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cheesy garlic bread ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep everything up to the baking step, then wrap it up and stash it in the fridge for a day or so. When you’re ready, just bake it as instructed (maybe add a minute or two if it’s cold from the fridge). You can also freeze the unbaked bread—wrap it tight and bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
What’s the best way to reheat cheesy garlic bread?
The oven is your best friend here. Pop leftovers into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until everything’s hot and the cheese is re-melted. For an extra crispy bottom, place the slices directly on the oven rack (with a tray underneath in case the cheese gets dramatic).
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
In a pinch? Absolutely. Use about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the minced garlic. It won’t have quite that same punch or aroma, but it’ll still be tasty. If you’ve got roasted garlic on hand, even better.
What type of bread works best for cheesy garlic bread?
A crusty French loaf is my go-to since it holds up well to the butter and cheese without getting soggy. But sourdough, ciabatta, or even a sturdy Italian loaf will also work. Just avoid anything too soft or sandwich-y—it won’t handle the toppings like a champ.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 loaf crusty French bread about 16-18 inches
For the Garlic Butter & Cheese Topping
- 1/2 cup (115 g) salted butter softened to room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced (use 5 if desired for extra garlic flavor)
- 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh parsley finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) black pepper
Cheese
- 1 cup (112 g) shredded mozzarella cheese divided (half for butter, half for topping)
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
- Serrated Knife
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise, creating two long pieces. Place both halves, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and half of the mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup). Stir until well combined.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture generously over the cut sides of both bread halves, covering edge to edge.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over both halves. Then top with all of the shredded cheddar and the grated Parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a deeper golden color, broil for 1–2 minutes—but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with extra chopped parsley, slice into thick pieces, and serve warm.
