Garlic cheese bread is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that compliments any Italian dinner. This cheese bread is sure to satisfy your cravings and is made by using a loaf of freshly baked French bread from your local bakery, softened butter, my secret ingredient, herbs, and of course cheese.
Garlic Cheese Bread is one of my favorite things to make whenever I’m making Italian food in my house. Whether I’m serving my baked ziti with Italian sausage, spaghetti with bolognese sauce, or even stuffed shells. You will almost always find homemade garlic bread on my table.
This is an easy recipe to double if you are serving a large crowd. Trust me, you will want to serve double since I tend to watch my friends and family take at least 2 pieces if not more.
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Why this Recipe Works
Homemade garlic cheese bread comes together in minutes, and will wow your guest that you made your own verse coming from the freezer.
Use up leftover bread for a smaller serving.
One loaf of French bread will feed about 8 hungry adults.
Ingredients
- Bread – The day I know I’m going to make this recipe I’ll head to my local grocery store and pick up a loaf of freshly baked French Bread. I have found that it crisps up perfectly.
- Garlic – I use both a few cloves of fresh garlic that I press through a garlic press as well as some garlic powder. After all this is a garlic bread!
- Herbs – I use a combo of Italian seasoning and minced fresh parsley when I have it on hand.
- Butter – I like to use salted butter which is why you won’t see salt in my recipe. If you use unsalted you may want to add a dash of salt to the butter mixture.
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise is my secret ingredient to making the creamiest garlic bread around. Just two tablespoons will transform your butter spread.
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium-size bowl, mix together softened butter, mayonnaise, pressed garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 2 teaspoons fresh parsley until well blended.
Then, mix in the Parmesan cheese.
Cut the bread in half lengthwise and then cut in half again so the bread can fit on the baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick silicone mat.
Slather the bread with the butter mixture.
Then top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling. Top with remaining minced fresh parsley, cut into bite-size pieces and serve immediately.
Recipe FAQs
My secret ingredient is mayonnaise. Just a little bit will add an additional creamy layer to the bread!
This is definitely a question I sometimes get asked by my kids “What is the green stuff on garlic bread?” We grow a lot of our own fresh herbs at home and they often help me cut them from our garden box. I remind them it’s parsley. I like fresh parsley on garlic bread; however, you can use dried in a pinch.
For this garlic cheese bread, I like to serve it piping hot out the oven. I’ll ensure everything is just about done and ready to be served before I even put the bread in the oven.
Yes, you can make the butter mixture ahead of time. I will sometimes make it as I’m starting dinner and then let it sit to the side. Do not refrigerate the butter mixture because you won’t be able to easily spread it on the bread. However, you can prep the butter mixture up to a day ahead of time, refrigerate and then take it out an hour before you are ready to make the bread.
Expert Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks when making this garlic cheese bread recipe.
- Broil – You can turn the broiler on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute at the end for a nice golden cheese crust.
- Herbs – You can use a wide-variety of herbs for this garlic bread. Or remove them all together.
- Garlic Bread – You can omit the cheese all together to just have garlic bread.
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise might seem like an odd ingredient but it contains egg and oil which will add a layer of creaminess to the garlic bread. Don’t skip this ingredient; however, you need to use mayonnaise and not Miracle Whip for this recipe.
What to Serve with Garlic Bread
Here are a few of my favorite recipes to serve along with my homemade garlic bread.
If you make this garlic cheese bread recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Garlic Cheese Bread
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
- ½ cup Salted Butter softened
- 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 4 garlic cloves pressed
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley minced and divided
- 1 – 12 ounce Loaf French Bread
- ¼ Shaved Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium-size bowl, mix together softened butter, mayonnaise, pressed garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 2 teaspoons fresh parsley until well blended.½ cup Salted Butter, 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise, 4 garlic cloves, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley
- Then, mix in the Parmesan cheese.¼ Shaved Parmesan Cheese
- Cut the bread in half lengthwise and then cut in half again so the bread can fit on the baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick silicone mat.1 – 12 ounce Loaf French Bread
- Slather the bread with the butter mixture. Then top with mozzarella cheese.½ cup Mozzarella Cheese
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling. Top with remaining minced fresh parsley, cut into slices, and serve immediately.1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley
Notes
- Broil – You can turn the broiler on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute at the end for a nice golden cheese crust.
- Herbs – You can use a wide-variety of herbs for this garlic bread. Or remove them all together.
- Garlic Bread – You can omit the cheese all together to just have garlic bread.
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise might seem like an odd ingredient but it contains egg and oil which will add a layer of creaminess to the garlic bread. Don’t skip this ingredient; however, you need to use mayonnaise and not Miracle Whip for this recipe.
Dandi D
Yummy, I am a big fan of cheesy savory breads!
Shaina
This is the most perfect bread I have ever seen. I wouldn’t be able to stop eating it if it were sitting in front of me!
Katie
LOL it’s so good!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
There’s nothing not awesome about this bread! SO cheesy and comforting and just mmmmmm
Jenna
Ooooo this looks delicious! Perfect light summer dinner with an easy side salad! Must make this soon!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Oh yes! I am all about cheesy bread! Pinned!
Katie
ha ha yes–so good!
keri @ shaken together
Cheese? Bread? I’m in! Pinned!
Katie
Keri–I need to make this for you!! You’ll love it!