Cheesy Garlic Bread - freshly baked bread

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread & Stuffed Bread

Garlic bread loaded with melted mozzarella and parmesan. Bubbly, cheesy, and dangerously addictive.

Prep Time

10 min

Bake Time

15 min

Servings

10

Calories

280

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) or broiler.

  2. 2

    Make Garlic Butter

    Mix softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, and salt.

  3. 3

    Assemble

    Slice bread and spread garlic butter generously. Add cheese or stuffing if applicable.

  4. 4

    Bake

    Wrap in foil or place open-faced. Bake until golden and bubbly.

Baker's Notes

Use fresh garlic rather than garlic powder for the best flavour. Mince it finely so it distributes evenly throughout the butter.

Baker Thomas Moreau

About This Recipe

There is something almost primal about pulling a loaf of garlic bread out of the oven at 375°F — the crust crackles, the mozzarella bubbles over the sides, and that unmistakable garlic-parsley aroma fills the kitchen. This version relies on a generous layer of garlic butter worked into the bread before baking, then topped with a mix of low-moisture mozzarella and sharp parmesan. The result is that perfect contrast: crispy edges giving way to a soft, buttery interior studded with melted cheese.

Canadian home cooks have loved this recipe for decades because it delivers maximum flavour with minimal fuss. A loaf of French or Italian bread, some softened butter, and a handful of pantry staples are all it takes. It shows up at potlucks, sits on the table during spaghetti night, and disappears before the main course even gets served.

Tips for the Best Cheesy Garlic Bread

Utilisez de l'ail fraîchement haché plutôt que de la poudre — la différence se sent une fois le pain au four. Ramollissez bien votre beurre pour qu'il s'étale facilement entre les tranches sans les déchirer. Pour un pain plus croustillant, faites-le cuire à découvert ; pour un pain plus tendre, enveloppez-le dans du papier d'aluminium. La mozzarella faible en eau donne une meilleure coloration et une meilleure traction que la mozzarella fraîche.

What to Serve With It

Serve this straight from the oven alongside spaghetti and meatballs, a simple tomato soup, or a Caesar salad — all staples on Canadian dinner tables. It also works beautifully as a game-day snack with beer, or as the carb-heavy companion to roast chicken or grilled steak. Cut into individual portions and pass around the table for that communal feel everyone loves.

Storage & Reheating

Garlic bread is best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. Reheat in a 375°F oven for about five minutes to restore some crunch — the microwave will leave it rubbery. Freeze baked loaves wrapped tightly in foil for up to two months, then reheat straight from frozen at 350°F until warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

280

cal

7g

Protein

14g

Fat

36g

Carbs

4g

Fiber

306mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use day-old bread?+

Yes, and it actually works better. Day-old bread has less moisture, so it absorbs the garlic butter without getting soggy and crisps up more evenly in the oven.

What's the best cheese to use?+

A mix of low-moisture mozzarella and grated parmesan is ideal. The mozzarella gives you that stretchy melt, while the parmesan adds depth and helps the top brown nicely.

Should I wrap the bread in foil?+

It depends on what you want. Foil keeps the bread soft and steams the cheese gently. Leaving it uncovered gives you a crisper crust and more golden-brown cheese on top.

Can I make this ahead of time?+

You can assemble it fully and refrigerate for a few hours before baking, but the bread may absorb too much butter and become dense. Better to prepare the garlic butter ahead and spread it just before baking.

Can I add other ingredients?+

Absolutely. Stir chopped fresh parsley into the butter, add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers between the slices, or swap in gruyère for a nuttier flavour profile.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use fresh garlic rather than garlic powder for the best flavour.
  • Wrapping in foil keeps the bread soft; leaving uncovered makes it crispy.
  • Serve immediately — garlic bread is best straight from the oven.

Reviews (4)

Michael W.★★★★★

This recipe is a keeper. The Baker's Notes really helped me understand the technique. My new favourite bread to bake on weekends.

Sarah M.★★★★★

So glad I found this recipe. The instructions are clear and the result is consistently great. I've made it four times already and it's perfect every time.

David C.★★★★★

Bakery-quality bread at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The proofing tips really helped.

Lisa P.★★★★★

Made this for a dinner party and everyone wanted the recipe. The bread was the star of the table — warm, crusty, and absolutely delicious.