Name: Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Ingredients: 3 heads (10-12 cloves each) garlic; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) salted butter, softened; ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, shredded, divided; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish); 1 loaf ciabatta bread, cut in half horizontally; 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided; salt, to taste; parsley, for garnish

The Magic of Roasted Garlic

Lets talk about our secret weapon. Roasting garlic makes it sweet and soft. It loses that sharp bite. It becomes like a gentle, creamy paste.

I love squeezing the warm cloves from their papery skins. It feels like a little kitchen miracle. Doesnt that smell amazing? That deep, cozy smell means good things are coming.

A Little Story About Cheese

My grandson once used only mozzarella for his bread. It was good, but it was missing something. I told him to try adding parmesan too. His eyes got wide after one bite.

I still laugh at that. The two cheeses work together. Mozzarella gives us that wonderful, stretchy pull. Parmesan adds a salty, nutty kick. This matters because flavor is all about teamwork.

Spreading the Love

Now for the fun part. Take that garlic butter and spread it thick. Do not be shy. Cover every single inch of that ciabatta bread. The nooks and crannies hold all that flavor.

This is the base of our whole dish. A good, generous spread means every bite is perfect. What is your favorite bread to use for something like this? I would love to know.

The Big Finish

You can bake it in your oven. Or you can use your air fryer for a super-fast crunch. Just watch until the cheese is bubbly and golden. That is the signal it is ready.

Fun fact: Ciabatta bread means slipper in Italian. It is named for its shape! Do you prefer your cheesy bread soft or with a serious crunch? Tell me your style.

Why This All Matters

This recipe is more than just food. It is about taking simple things and making them special. It is about the joy of sharing something you made with your own hands.

That feeling is so important. It connects us. When was the last time you made a snack just to make someone smile? I think we should all do it more often.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Garlic heads	3 heads (10-12 cloves each)	For roasting
Extra virgin olive oil	1 tablespoon	For roasting garlic
Salted butter	1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g)	Softened
Parmesan cheese	½ cup (50 g)	Shredded, divided
Fresh parsley	2 tablespoons	Finely chopped, plus more for garnish
Ciabatta bread	1 loaf	Cut in half horizontally
Mozzarella cheese	2 cups (226 g)	Shredded, divided
Salt	To taste

My Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread

Hello, my dear! Let’s make some magic in the kitchen. This cheesy garlic bread is my favorite thing to share. The secret is roasting the garlic first. It makes the whole kitchen smell like a dream.

Roasting turns the garlic sweet and soft. I still laugh at the first time I tried it. I was so surprised by the flavor! It’s like a cozy hug for your taste buds. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Let’s get started.

Step 1: First, let’s roast our garlic. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Get a nice square of foil. Peel off the loose, papery skin from three whole garlic heads.
Step 2: Now, you need to peek inside the garlic. Carefully slice off the very top of each head. This lets all the good flavors out. Drizzle them with a little olive oil.
Step 3: Wrap those garlic heads up in the foil. Make a little snug packet. Pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes. You will know it’s done when it’s golden and soft.
Step 4: Let the packet cool a bit. Then, squeeze the garlic out. It will slide right out of its skin! Mash it with a fork until it’s a paste. This part is so satisfying.
Step 5: Time for the garlic butter! Mix your roasted garlic paste with the softened butter. Add some parmesan and fresh parsley. Stir it all together. (A hard-learned tip: make sure your butter is soft, or mixing is a real chore!)
Step 6: Grab your ciabatta loaf. Slice it in half, longways. Spread that amazing garlic butter all over each cut side. Be generous! This is the heart of the recipe.
Step 7: Now for the cheese! Cover the butter with mozzarella. Then add the rest of your parmesan. I love a cheesy blanket. Do you like your bread extra crispy or soft and gooey? Share below!
Step 8: Bake it for 15-20 minutes. You want the cheese bubbly and a little golden. If you have an air fryer, it works wonders here. Just a few minutes makes it perfectly crispy.

Three Tasty Twists to Try

This recipe is wonderful as it is. But it’s also a perfect canvas for fun ideas. You can make it new every time. Here are a few of my favorite twists.

Pizza Bread: Add a spoonful of tomato sauce under the cheese. Then sprinkle with pepperoni or olives. It’s like a flat pizza you can tear and share.
Herb Garden Delight: Mix in other fresh herbs with the parsley. Try a little chopped rosemary or chives. It tastes like a sunny garden.
A Little Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter. It gives you a nice, warm surprise with each bite. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

This bread is a star all on its own. But it also loves good company. I love serving it with a big, simple salad. The fresh greens are perfect with the rich, cheesy bread.

It is also the best friend a bowl of tomato soup ever had. For drinks, a fizzy lemonade is just right. For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of white wine pairs beautifully. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cheesy Garlic Bread Perfect

This bread is best eaten right away. But I know life gets busy. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for two days. Just wrap them tightly in foil.

For longer storage, freeze it. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap first. Then place them all in a freezer bag. I once forgot to wrap a loaf properly. It tasted like my freezer smelled. Not good!

Simple Fixes for Common Bread Troubles

Sometimes the garlic burns in the oven. If this happens, your heat is too high. Always roast it low and slow. I remember when I rushed this step once. The garlic turned bitter and made me sad.

Your bread might get soggy if the butter is too thick. Spread it in a nice, even layer. Do not glob it on. Getting this right builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavor perfect in every bite.

If your cheese isnt browning, try a quick broil. Watch it closely so it does not burn. A little browning adds so much yummy flavor. Fun fact: The bubbly, brown cheese is called the flavor crown by bakers. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Cheesy Bread Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free bread loaf. The method is exactly the same.

Q: Can I make the garlic butter ahead? A: You can. Make it up to two days before. Keep it covered in the fridge.

Q: What cheese can I swap for mozzarella? A: Provolone or Monterey Jack work nicely. They melt very well.

Q: Can I make a smaller portion? A: Of course. Just use a smaller bread roll. Cut all the ingredients in half.

Q: Is the fresh parsley important? A: It adds a fresh, pretty touch. But you can skip it if you need to. Which tip will you try first?

Share Your Kitchen Creations

I hope this recipe brings joy to your table. It is a simple, happy food. It always makes my family gather in the kitchen.

Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe

Author: Elowen Thorn Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:Italian Courses:Side

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time:1 hour 5 minutesRest time: Total time:1 hour 20 minutesServings:12 servingsCalories:288 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

This Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread features roasted garlic butter, two types of cheese, and fresh parsley for an incredibly flavorful and indulgent side dish.

Ingredients

Roasted Garlic:

3 heads (10-12 cloves each) garlic
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Bread:

1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) salted butter, softened
½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, shredded, divided
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
1 loaf ciabatta bread, cut in half horizontally
2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
salt, to taste
parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Roasted Garlic: Set out a 10-inch square of aluminum foil.
Peel away all the loose, papery, outer layers around the heads of garlic. Leave the head itself intact with all the cloves connected.
Trim about ¼ inch off the tops of the heads of garlic, exposing the cloves inside.
Place all garlic heads in the center of the square of aluminum foil.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Fold the sides of the aluminum foil up to the center and seal (creating a foil packet with the garlic inside). Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are soft and deep golden brown.
Remove the garlic from the oven and carefully open the sealed foil packet to allow the garlic to cool slightly. Set aside. Leave the oven set at 400°F as you prepare the bread.
Garlic Butter: When the garlic is cool enough to touch, squeeze the cloves into a medium bowl. Discard the remaining skin.
Mash with a fork until the garlic forms a paste.
Add butter, ¼ cup of parmesan, and parsley. Stir until well combined.
Assembly: Spread the garlic butter evenly over each cut side of the bread (about a heaping ½ cup garlic butter per half).
Top each evenly with mozzarella cheese and the remaining parmesan.
Bake* for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melted.
Slice the bread into 12 portions (or your desired servings). Serve with parsley for garnish. Enjoy!
*Air Fryer Instructions: Follow the instructions to the point of baking the bread in the oven.
Place the bread into the basket of your air fryer, cutting them to fit.
Air fry for 3-4 minutes at 350°F, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Notes

For a crispier bread, you can lightly toast the ciabatta halves before adding the garlic butter and cheese.

Keywords:Garlic Bread, Cheesy, Roasted Garlic, Ciabatta, Side Dish