Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread with Soft Centers and Crunchy Crusts
By Ethan Parker
Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min
Servings
12
Level
Easy
Done in 20 minutes, this cheesy garlic bread turns a grocery-store French loaf into a warm, practical side with a soft center and crunchy crust. Garlic butter, Colby Jack, and mozzarella melt into every slice, giving pasta, casseroles, or chicken dinners a fast cheese-topped bread option.
Start with French bread cut lengthwise on a baking sheet. Softened salted butter carries garlic powder, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning across both cut sides, so the seasoning reaches the bread before the cheese goes on. Finish with separate layers of shredded Colby Jack and mozzarella; these are the cheeses named for their high-heat melt and Italian-style cheese blend.
At the end, look for melted, bubbly butter and cheese, with the surface ready to crisp if you use the optional brief broil. The common problem is browning too quickly before the bread is done to your liking; the article suggests a loose foil tent if that happens. Do not cover it for regular baking, and wait a few minutes before slicing warm bread.
Serve the bread warm alongside the pasta and chicken dinners suggested in the article, or slice it for pulling apart at the table. If keeping extra pieces, let them cool before covering so trapped steam does not soften the crust as quickly. Add parsley only at the end for its fresh color and flavor.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Fits a busy dinner because the recipe lists five minutes of prep and a 20-minute total, using a bakery French loaf instead of homemade dough.
- Keeps equipment simple with one small bowl and one baking sheet, so the butter mixture and bread need no mixer, processor, or specialty pan.
- Uses familiar grocery-store ingredients, including salted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Colby Jack, and mozzarella, which keeps the shopping list straightforward.
- Gives clear visual timing: bake until the butter is melted and bubbly, then broil briefly only when a crisper cheese top is wanted.
- Cuts serving work down because the loaf is split lengthwise, spread, baked, then sliced, making it easy to set beside pasta or casseroles.
- Offers a practical browning fix: a loose foil tent can slow an overactive oven, while uncovered baking preserves the stated crunchy crust.
Ingredients
- •1 loaf French bread
- •0.5 cup salted butter (softened)
- •0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- •3 garlic cloves (minced)
- •1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- •1 cup Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
- •1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- •fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the French bread loaf lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet.
- 2
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic powder, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
- 3
Spread the butter mixture evenly on each side of the garlic bread. Top with Colby Jack and mozzarella cheese.
- 4
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the butter is melted and bubbly. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end for a crisper top, if desired.
- 5
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
237
Protein
9g
Fat
14g
Carbs
20g
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