Description
This Cheesy Bread recipe features a crusty French bread loaf generously spread with garlic butter and topped with a delicious blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it’s an easy and irresistible side dish perfect for pasta nights, soups, or as a savory appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread (halved lengthwise)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the softened butter with minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
- Spread Butter on Bread: Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over both halves of the halved French bread, ensuring good coverage for maximum flavor.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bread halves, covering the surfaces evenly.
- Bake the Bread: Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Broil for a Golden Top: For a beautifully golden and slightly crisp cheese topping, broil the bread for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the cheesy bread from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley if using for a fresh touch, let it cool slightly, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture before spreading.
- Experiment with different cheese blends such as cheddar or provolone for variation in flavor.
- This cheesy bread pairs wonderfully as a side with pasta dishes or warm soups.
