This 5-Minute Garlic Cheese Bread is the perfect quick and easy side to any pasta dish. Kids love it, adults love it, and it’s the yummiest way to soak up every last drop of pasta sauce. Your Italian night needs this!
I don’t think any pasta meal is complete without a side of some yummy buttery Garlic Cheese Bread. It completes the meal and it’s at least one thing on the table you know your kid can’t possibly say ‘no’ to eating. Enjoy this as a side to Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meat Sauce, Easy Beef, Spinach, and Cheese Manicotti, or Creamy Tomato Chicken Florentine Pasta!
Garlic Cheese Bread
Spaghetti is one meal I remember my mom making frequently when I was a kid. This Garlic Cheese Bread or Flat French Bread was always served along side it and it was easy enough for us kids to help my mom make. I really love spaghetti sauce and this was the perfect vehicle for allowing me to soak up every last drop of it on my plate. I now make this for my own little family because I love it and they do too!
FIVE ingredients, FIVE minutes, let’s give each other a high-five my friends!
How to make Garlic Cheese Bread:
- Slice the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise. Lay the two halves on a foil lined baking sheet with the inside of the bread facing up.
- Spread the butter over the inside surface of the bread.
- Sprinkle on the garlic salt (I usually just eyeball how much I put on) and slice (you can wait and slice it at the end instead if you prefer).
- Sprinkle on the shredded cheese and then the parsley (optional).
- Broil for 2-3 minutes. (Watch it closely!)
What kind of bread should I use?
You can use any soft bread like French bread, Italian bread, or hoagie buns/rolls. My local grocery store sells two 7-ounce loafs of french bread packaged together. I prefer this size loaf because it’s the perfect thickness and I can use one loaf one night and another the next. (What you see photographed is just one loaf so half the recipe.) Feel free to use various sizes of loafs and types of bread to find what you prefer.
How much butter should I put on Cheese Bread?
4 tablespoons is about how much I use for 14-16 ounces of bread but you can certainly use more or less. You just need enough to cover the surface of the bread so that garlic salt will stick and it’s just really yummy.
What kind of cheese is best for garlic bread?
Mozzarella! It melts well and tastes delicious on the bread and along side any pasta dish. You can sprinkle on some Parmesan too if you prefer.
I prefer buying a block of mozzarella and grating it myself but pre-shredded works too. Oh and always feel free to add more cheese!
LOOKING FOR MORE SIDE DISHES? CHECK OUT THESE:
- Sautéed Zucchini and Squash is my favorite and easiest way to enjoy that fresh summer zucchini.
- The Best Broccoli Bacon Salad is seriously hands down the best way to eat raw broccoli.
- It’s actually embarrassing how fast my family can eat this whole pan of this Buttermilk Cornbread.
- These 3-Ingredient Roasted Green Beans will turn you into a bean green addict!
- Honey Wheat Dinner Rolls are so light and fluffy!
- I think cauliflower should always be eaten in this form: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
- Lemon Asparagus with Pistachios is the perfect side to brighten up a meal.
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS GARLIC BREAD:
- Half-Sheet Pan– I LOVE these pans. I’ve had the same 4 pans since I got married (8 years ago) and they are in great condition. I use them all the time for cakes, cookies, roasting vegetables, baking chicken…
- Knife Set– I got this when I got married almost 8 years ago. I use them multiple times a day and they’re still going strong! I love the serrated bread knife in this set!
- Cheese Grater– Freshly grated cheese is so much better and this grater is the best! I love that it has two sides, folds up, and stands sturdy when grating.
Garlic Cheese Bread
Ingredients
- 1 14 ounce loaf french bread, (or two 7-ounce loafs)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- fresh Italian parsley (or dried parsley), optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to broil and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Slice the loaf of bread in half and lay each with the inside of the bread facing up.
- Spread the butter over the surface and then sprinkle on the garlic salt. (You can precut it into slices at this point if desired.)
- Top with the cheese and parsley.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and starts to barely brown. Slice and serve.
Delicious!