Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe That Melts Hearts

Cheesy garlic bread reinvents ordinary slices into a mouthwatering delight that tantalizes taste buds with its irresistible aroma.

Crisp edges and a soft, buttery center make this comfort food a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Fragrant garlic infuses each bite with robust, savory notes that dance across your palate.

Melted cheese creates a golden, gooey blanket that stretches with every pulled slice, promising pure indulgence.

Home cooks adore this simple yet spectacular side dish that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

The magic happens when humble ingredients combine in perfect harmony, creating a sensory experience that beckons everyone to the table.

You’ll find yourself craving this ultimate cheesy garlic bread again and again.

The Pull-Apart Goodness of Cheesy Garlic Bread

• Unlock Artisan Bakery Magic: Create professional-quality cheesy garlic bread right in your home kitchen with professional-grade techniques like slap and fold, overnight proofing, and precise temperature control.
• Flavor Explosion Guaranteed: Layered taste experience featuring homemade marinara sauce, aromatic Italian seasonings, and perfectly melted cheese that delivers restaurant-level deliciousness in every single bite.
• Master Advanced Bread-Making Skills: Learn sophisticated dough techniques including yeast activation, multiple proofing stages, and stretch-and-fold methods that transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary bread with minimal effort and maximum flavor complexity.

Key Ingredients That Build Flavor and Crunch

• Bread Flour: Strong protein content makes chewy, structured bread with great texture.
• Water: Essential liquid for activating yeast and creating dough hydration.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial for bread rising and developing complex flavor profiles.
• Sugar: Helps yeast activation and provides subtle sweetness to bread.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast fermentation.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and contributes to soft bread texture.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Classic melty cheese with stretchy, creamy characteristics.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese that adds deep umami flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs providing traditional Mediterranean taste.

• Canned Tomatoes: Ripe, rich base for marinara sauce with concentrated flavor.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient bringing intense, pungent notes to sauce.
• Fresh Herbs: Adds brightness and complex herbal undertones to marinara.
• Butter: Provides richness and smooth texture to marinara sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding depth to marinara and bread topping.

How to Make the Cheesiest Garlic Bread

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Warm water gently to just above body temperature. Sprinkle sugar and yeast into the warm water. Let the mixture bubble and dance for about 5 minutes until it looks frothy and alive.

Step 2: Create Magical Dough

In a mixer bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeasty liquid and olive oil. Mix slowly until everything comes together like best friends. Let the dough rest and relax for 10 minutes. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Nurture the Dough

Perform gentle slap and fold techniques on a flour-dusted surface. Shape into a perfect round ball. Cover and let rise at room temperature for one hour. Punch down the dough, stretch and fold, then rest for another 30 minutes. Repeat the stretching process.

Step 4: Prepare Flavor Boosters

• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Salt

Mix these ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Step 5: Craft Incredible Marinara

In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.

• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Herbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Butter

Sauté garlic quickly, add tomatoes and herbs. Stir in cheese and butter. Simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes until sauce thickens beautifully.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Stretch dough into greased casserole dishes. Let it rise once more. Brush with olive oil sauce and sprinkle generously with cheese. Bake at 475°F for 20 minutes until golden and irresistible.

Step 7: Serve with Love

Let cool slightly. Serve warm with the homemade marinara sauce. Watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy!

Tips for Golden Edges and Melted Cheese

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is exactly between 90-100°F for optimal yeast activation and maximum bread rise.
• Master Dough Development: Perform slap and fold technique to build strong gluten structure, creating a more elastic and flavorful bread texture.
• Overnight Fermentation Magic: Cold-proofing dough in refrigerator develops deeper, more complex flavor profiles and improves overall bread quality.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Grate cheese evenly and mix different varieties for a more complex, rich melting experience across the bread surface.
• Baking Temperature Precision: Use high heat (475°F) to achieve crispy exterior and soft, pillowy interior with beautiful golden-brown cheese crust.

Storage Tips for Leftover Garlic Bread

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cheesy garlic bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
• Reheating Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place bread on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through and cheese melts.
• Microwave Option: Reheat individual slices for 15-20 seconds. Avoid overheating to maintain bread's texture and prevent rubberiness.

Great Matches for Cheesy Bread Sides

• Savor Marinara Magic: Pair the cheesy garlic bread with a chilled glass of Chianti or Sangiovese wine. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese and complements the tangy marinara sauce perfectly.
• Create Mediterranean Mezze: Serve alongside a fresh Greek salad with feta, olives, and cucumber. The crisp, light salad balances the heavy, indulgent bread and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate Protein Companions: Add grilled chicken or prosciutto as a side protein. The bread's garlic and cheese flavors beautifully enhance the meat, creating a satisfying and complete meal experience.
• Craft Dipping Delight: Prepare extra marinara sauce for additional dipping. Guests can enjoy the warm, saucy bread with extra sauce, transforming the dish into an interactive and fun dining adventure.

Garlic Bread Twists You’ve Gotta Try

• Mediterranean Herb Splash: Replace Italian seasoning with fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Mix diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes into cheese blend for a fiery, bold bread experience that adds exciting heat.
• Parmesan Truffle Elegance: Drizzle white truffle oil over bread after baking and sprinkle extra aged parmesan cheese for a luxurious gourmet transformation.
• Sundried Tomato Fusion: Fold chopped sundried tomatoes into dough and incorporate them throughout cheese mixture for a tangy, rich undertone that elevates classic garlic bread.

Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Cheesy garlic bread delivers pure comfort with melted mozzarella and crispy golden edges. Parmesan-dusted Italian herbs make this classic side dish irresistible when you want something warm and satisfying from the oven.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups bread flour (450 g)
• 1 ¼ cups water (300 ml)
• 1 lb whole milk low-moisture mozzarella, grated

Dough Ingredients:

• 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast (7 g)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons granulated sugar (10 g)
• 1 tablespoon fine sea salt (20 g)
• ⅓ cup olive oil (72 g)

Cheese and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup sharp white cheddar, grated
• ⅓ cup parmesan, grated
• ¼ cup extra light olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Marinara Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes, San Marzano preferred
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
• 1 tablespoon parmesan, grated
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Additional Seasonings:

• Pinch of kosher salt (for olive oil sauce)
• Pinch of kosher salt (for marinara sauce)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by mixing it with warm water and sugar, allowing it to become foamy and develop its characteristic fragrance.
2. Create the bread foundation by combining flour and salt in a stand mixer, then incorporate the activated yeast, blending until a cohesive mixture forms.
3. Allow the dough to rest, enabling gluten development, then knead until achieving a smooth, elastic texture.
4. Perform gentle folding techniques on a floured surface to enhance the dough’s structure and elasticity.
5. Proof the dough at ambient temperature, covering to maintain moisture and promote rising.
6. Implement strategic folding techniques to develop additional strength and texture in the dough.
7. Refrigerate the dough overnight to intensify flavor development and improve handling.
8. Prepare a fragrant olive oil infusion by combining oil with Italian herbs and a touch of salt.
9. Craft a rich marinara sauce by gently sautéing garlic, then incorporating tomatoes and aromatic herbs.
10. Slowly simmer the sauce, allowing flavors to meld and concentrate, incorporating parmesan and butter for depth.
11. Remove the dough from refrigeration, allowing it to reach room temperature for optimal manipulation.
12. Stretch the dough into prepared baking vessels, ensuring even distribution and gentle handling.
13. Generously brush the dough surface with the herbed olive oil mixture.
14. Sprinkle a luxurious layer of cheese across the prepared bread surface.
15. Bake at high temperature to achieve a golden, crispy exterior with a soft, chewy interior.
16. Allow the bread to cool slightly, ensuring structural integrity before serving.
17. Accompany the cheesy garlic bread with the carefully crafted marinara sauce for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Matters: Ensure water temperature is precisely between 90-100°F for optimal yeast bloom, which guarantees a perfect bread rise.
• Dough Resting Technique: Multiple rest periods and stretch-and-fold methods develop complex gluten structure, creating a more tender and flavorful bread.
• Overnight Refrigeration Trick: Slow fermentation in the refrigerator enhances bread’s depth of flavor and improves overall texture.
• Cheese and Herb Layering: Strategic placement of olive oil sauce and cheese mixture creates a golden, crispy, and intensely flavorful crust.
• High-Temperature Baking Secret: Preheating oven to 475°F ensures a crisp exterior and soft, airy interior for maximum deliciousness.
• Marinara Pairing Suggestion: Slow-simmered sauce with fresh herbs and parmesan provides a rich, complementary dipping experience for the cheesy bread.

• Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg