Cheesy Garlic Bread is one of those things I always make whenever we’re having Italian for dinner. It’s a tried-and-true recipe that everyone in my family loves!
This homemade garlic bread is perfectly garlicky, cheesy, and soft. There’s nothing better than that. So good!
This recipe is super easy to make and ready in just 25 minutes or less. Plus, it’s make-ahead and freezer friendly.
This cheesy garlic bread recipe is my go-to! Everyone needs an easy homemade garlic bread recipe, and it’s even better when it’s loaded with cheese! Since we eat pasta often, I find myself making this bread all the time.
We love this cheesy garlic bread because it’s incredibly delicious and garlicky…and of course perfectly cheesy and melty! Every bite into the soft bread is like the best thing ever.
It all starts with a loaf of Italian bread generously slathered with softened butter, fresh garlic, and Italian herbs, and then topped with mozzarella and baked to perfection.
This easy recipe is the ideal pairing for any Italian-inspired dish, especially with this Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle, Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, and Creamy Lemon Chicken.
You can also try it with the classic lasagna and bread combination! Serve it alongside my Lasagna Bolognese or this Skillet Lasagna for a quick dinner.
Why we love this cheesy garlic bread recipe:
- So cheesy! There’s nothing better than cheesy bread. We like to use whole milk mozzarella here because it melts really well.
- Super delicious and garlicky! Garlic just makes everything better, doesn’t it?
- Very easy to make, ready in just 25 minutes or under.
- Pairs well with anything, especially Italian-inspired recipes!.
- Make ahead and freezer-friendly.
Jump to:
Best Type of Bread to Use
What type of bread should I use to make cheesy garlic bread? This is the question I get most often for this recipe, and it’s actually a very important one. Ideally, you want every bite to be soft and just slightly chewy.
I’d highly recommend using a soft Italian bread loaf, which is soft in the center and has a thin and slightly chewy crust.
Avoid hard crusty breads, as they may become overly crunchy and hard around the edges. Not sure about you, but hard garlic bread is a no-no for me!
Ingredient Notes
The ingredients I used to make this cheesy garlic bread are pretty simple and easy to find. Below are a few ingredient notes from recipe testing, and as always, quantities and details can be found in the recipe card down below.
- A loaf of Italian bread: I think this is the ideal bread because it’s soft, but still sturdy enough to soak in all the flavors and hold a layer of cheese on top. Avoid hard crusty breads.
- Unsalted butter: Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing and spreading. If desired, you can use salted butter and just omit the salt altogether.
- Minced garlic: I’d highly, highly recommend using freshly minced garlic. If there’s one ingredient that shines here, it’s the garlic. The more fresh-tasting, the better.
- Italian seasoning: Adds depth and complexity to the garlic butter.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Preferably, use whole milk shredded mozzarella here. Low-moisture or part-skim mozzarella doesn’t melt as well, in my opinion.
- Fresh parsley: For garnish. It adds a beautiful pop of color and extra flavor. So good!
Step-by-Step Tutorial
25 minutes is all you need to make this recipe! Here’s how I make my favorite cheesy garlic bread.
Step 1 | Cut bread in half
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Using a serrated knife, split the Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise, creating two even halves.
Step 2 | Spread butter and bake
In a bowl, combine the softened butter, freshly minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well well-combined. Then, spread evenly over the flat cut sides of the bread.
Place the buttered bread halves on a large sheet pan lined with foil, cut side up, and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, uncovered. This step allows the garlic to cook and develop its aromatic flavor before you add the cheese.
Step 3 | Top with cheese and melt
Remove from the oven and generously sprinkle the cheese over the bread. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 to 6 minutes until the cheese is melted. Then, broil for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly golden on top.
Step 4 | Garnish and slice
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley for that pop of color and flavor. Carefully slice the cheesy garlic bread and serve warm.
How to Freeze Garlic Bread
To freeze this cheesy garlic bread, prepare the bread as directed but don’t bake prior to adding the cheese. Simply slather with the prepared butter and top with cheese. Then wrap with multiple layers of foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake from frozen, unwrap and bake in a preheated 375F degree oven until heated through and the cheese is melted, about 20 to 25 minutes. Sliced bread will take less time than an entire half.
How to Reheat Leftovers
To reheat leftover cheesy garlic bread, place the slices on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes or until warm.
Pairing and Serving Ideas
I almost always make cheesy garlic bread when making Italian-inspired for dinner. And of course, don’t forget to whip up a side of my house salad!
These are my favorites mains:
It’s also a great pairing for soups! Try it with my Beef Barley Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, or Tomato Tortellini Soup.
Looking for more bread recipes? Make my easy Pepperoni Pizza Rolls. If you have more time (or perhaps patience!), try my pillowy soft Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls.
Recipe FAQs
I’d recommend a soft loaf like Italian bread. Avoid hard crusty breads, as the edges may become too tough during baking. You want every bite to be soft.
Yes! Use cheeses that melt well and fit a similar flavor profile, such as fontina, gouda, or gruyere. Also feel free to sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over in addition.
Garlic is the star of this recipe, so freshly minced will really make a difference. Although I’d highly recommend using fresh minced garlic for best flavor, pre-minced garlic can be used if needed in a pinch.
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 375 degrees F until melted and warm, about 10 minutes.
This recipe was originally published in 2021 and updated in March 2024 to include new photos and information, plus a few recipe modifications.
Tips for Success
- Freshly minced garlic is best here. In fact, it’s my top recommendation. You want the garlic to be the star of the show, and nothing beats the vibrant flavor of fresh garlic.
- Use a loaf of soft Italian bread since we’ll be baking. Avoid hard crust breads, as the edges may get too hard when baked.
- Choice of cheese: I use whole milk shredded mozzarella for this recipe. Use whole milk shredded mozzarella, if possible, as it melts much better. If you don’t have mozzarella, use any kind of melty cheese with a similar flavor profile, such as fontina, gruyere, or gouda.
- Salted or unsalted butter? I always use unsalted butter so I can control the amount of salt. If using salted butter, skip the salt or adjust as needed.
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Cheesy Garlic Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf soft Italian bread
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt - plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper - or to taste
- 1 ½ to 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella - plus more as desired
- Fresh chopped parsley - for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan (big enough to fit the bread) with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Using a serrated knife, cut the bread into two halves lengthwise.
- Make the garlic butter spread: In a bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black ground pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste as needed.
- Spread the prepared garlic butter over the cut side of the bread and transfer to the prepared sheet pan, buttered side up. Bake for 10 minutes until the butter is melted and the edges are slightly crisp.
- Remove from the oven and top generously with the mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Then, broil for 1-2 minutes until golden brown on top.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Cut into slices and serve warm.
Notes
- Choice of bread: I think soft Italian bread works best here.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container and keep refrigerated. Reheat in the oven at 375 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until warm and melted.
- Freezing unbaked garlic bread: Prepare the bread as directed, but don’t pre-bake prior to adding the cheese. Simply, top the unbaked garlic bread with cheese and wrap with foil. Freeze for 3 month. Reheat from frozen. Unwrap and bake in a preheated 375F degree oven until heated through and melted, about 20 minutes (it will take longer if baking an entire half vs. slices).
- Mozzarella: Fontina, gruyere, gouda.
- Unsalted butter: Substitute with salted butter but leave out the salt.
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