House Favorite Garlic Bread Recipe
This House Favorite Garlic Bread is your new go-to comfort food. Golden, buttery, and packed with fresh garlic and herbs, it’s the kind of recipe that gets devoured within minutes—leaving only crumbs and satisfied, happy faces behind. Whether you’re pulling together a quick weeknight meal or planning a cozy Italian feast, House Favorite Garlic Bread has always earned its place right at the center of the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how easily a few humble pantry staples can create such a crave-worthy side. Each ingredient in House Favorite Garlic Bread plays a starring role, bringing its unique flavor, aroma, or texture to make every bite memorable.
- French or Italian bread: Choose a crusty, sturdy loaf—this forms the irresistible, chewy-yet-crunchy base.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Soft butter spreads easily and seeps into every nook of the bread, ensuring a soft, rich crumb.
- Fresh garlic (minced): Nothing pretends here—real garlic gives this bread its signature bite and aroma.
- Fresh parsley (chopped): Adds a pop of color and herby freshness that makes the bread look as good as it tastes.
- Salt: Just a sprinkle pulls all the flavors together without overpowering them.
- Black pepper: Lends a subtle warmth and little kick that you’ll totally miss if you skip it.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Nutty and a little salty, it brings depth and a hint of crispiness to the topping.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (optional): For those days you want to go full comfort mode and make a swoon-worthy cheesy garlic bread.
How to Make House Favorite Garlic Bread
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F. Taking a moment here makes all the difference—hot ovens ensure your House Favorite Garlic Bread bakes up beautifully golden with delightfully crisp edges. No need to prepare anything else yet; a roasting-hot start ensures that perfect contrast between crispy top and tender middle.
Step 2: Slice the Bread
Grab your loaf of French or Italian bread (it can be today’s or yesterday’s—a slightly day-old loaf works wonders). Using a serrated knife, slice it evenly in half lengthwise. This creates two broad canvases ready to soak up all that garlicky, buttery goodness.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture
In a small mixing bowl, blend together the softened butter, minced fresh garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture looks speckled with green and flecked with cheese. Don’t rush—this is where those classic flavors come together.
Step 4: Spread the Garlic Butter
Using a butter knife or small offset spatula, spread the garlic butter mixture generously and evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Press the mixture gently into the bread so it really absorbs the flavors. If you’re in the mood for cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle an even layer of shredded mozzarella on top—it transforms into gooey, picture-perfect House Favorite Garlic Bread every time.
Step 5: Bake and Broil for Perfection
Place both bread halves, cut-side up, on a baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, until the top is melted and the edges are beginning to turn golden and crispy. For that extra irresistible finish, switch your oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes, keeping a close eye so it doesn’t burn. The result: House Favorite Garlic Bread with toasty, bubbling tops and the perfect crunch in every bite.
How to Serve House Favorite Garlic Bread
Garnishes
Take your House Favorite Garlic Bread up a notch by sprinkling extra fresh parsley or a dusting of grated Parmesan right before serving. For a pop of color and flavor, a touch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil never fails to impress.
Side Dishes
This bread was made for sopping up sauces, so pair it without hesitation! It’s dreamy alongside classic pasta dishes, hearty soups like tomato basil or minestrone, or served as a sidekick with salad. House Favorite Garlic Bread instantly upgrades any meal—think rustic lasagna dinners or simple weeknight casseroles.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your bread diagonally for a more elegant look, stack the pieces artfully on a wooden board, or serve individual cheesy toasts as party appetizers. House Favorite Garlic Bread is also fabulous cubed up for salads or dipped into warm, herby olive oil for a starter that always gets rave reviews.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any House Favorite Garlic Bread left, simply wrap pieces tightly in foil or place in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. For longer storage, you can refrigerate slices, but be aware that refrigeration can dry out bread, so plan to reheat before eating.
Freezing
One of the best things about House Favorite Garlic Bread is how well it freezes! After baking, let the bread cool completely, wrap each piece or half in foil, and place in a freezer bag—it’ll keep for up to 3 months. To freeze unbaked, just assemble the bread, wrap, and freeze. Bake straight from the freezer, adding a couple minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To restore House Favorite Garlic Bread to its original glory, unwrap and warm in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. An air fryer also does the trick, making the edges crisp again in just a few minutes. Avoid microwaving unless you want soft bread; for the best texture, reheat in a hot, dry environment.
FAQs
Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of fresh?
Freshly minced garlic gives House Favorite Garlic Bread its boldest flavor, but if you’re short on time, jarred minced garlic works in a pinch—just note it can be milder and a bit sweeter.
Is there a dairy-free version of House Favorite Garlic Bread?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and skip or use vegan Parmesan and mozzarella. You’ll still get that iconic taste and texture with a dairy-free twist.
What’s the best way to ensure the bread gets extra crispy?
Bake as directed, but don’t be shy about broiling for those last couple of minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as those edges go from golden to charred quickly in the broiler!
Can I prepare House Favorite Garlic Bread ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the bread with the butter mixture, wrap tightly, and refrigerate a few hours or even overnight. When ready to bake, proceed straight to the oven—so easy for dinner parties or meal prep.
Is mozzarella cheese necessary?
Not at all! House Favorite Garlic Bread is fantastic with or without the mozzarella. Add it for a melty, cheesy experience, or stick with just butter and Parmesan for classic goodness.
Final Thoughts
I promise once you try House Favorite Garlic Bread, it’ll be a staple at your table, too. It’s the kind of recipe that wows guests, comforts family, and never, ever lasts long. Give it a go and watch this easy, crowd-pleasing bread work its magic on everyone lucky enough to grab a slice!
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House Favorite Garlic Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible aroma and taste of this house favorite garlic bread. With a crunchy exterior and a soft, buttery center, this cheesy garlic bread is a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread (about 16 inches)
Garlic Butter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for cheesy garlic bread
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the bread in half lengthwise and place both halves cut-side up on a baking sheet.
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and Parmesan until well combined.
- Spread the Garlic Butter: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Add mozzarella cheese if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are golden and crispy. For extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
- Serve: Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For a punchier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Leftovers can be wrapped and reheated in the oven or air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
