Italian Cheesy Bread Recipe

This crispy, gooey Italian Cheesy Bread is made with a soft Italian loaf, garlic herb butter, and melted mozzarella, ready in just 20 minutes. Pulling a warm slice from the oven reveals strings of melted cheese that stretch endlessly. I make this easy side dish whenever I need a quick crowd-pleaser.

Restaurant-Quality At Home

I used to rely on frozen garlic bread logs that always turned out dry, hard, or overly salty. Making this at home allows you to control the butter-to-garlic ratio and load up on fresh cheese for the best flavor.

The first time I tried this, I used pre-shredded cheese and it didn’t melt right, leaving the topping rubbery. Buying a block of mozzarella and shredding it yourself makes a huge difference in creating that perfect, stringy texture.

Italian Cheesy Bread Ingredients

• 1 large loaf soft Italian bread
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

How To Make Italian Cheesy Bread

1. Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
2. Slice the Loaf: Cut the Italian bread in half horizontally to create two long, open-faced halves, then place them cut-side up on the baking sheet.
3. Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, and dried Italian seasoning until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Assemble: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both halves of the bread, then top generously with the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
5. Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, broiling for the last minute if you prefer a golden brown top.

Recipe Tips

• Shred your own cheese: Pre-bagged cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting, so grate a block of mozzarella for the best results.
• Use soft butter: If the butter is too cold or hard, it will tear the soft bread crumb when you try to spread it.
• Watch the broiler: If you choose to broil the bread at the end, stay right by the oven because the cheese can burn in seconds.

What To Serve With Italian Cheesy Bread

Serve this bread alongside a hearty bowl of tomato soup or a classic spaghetti bolognese to soak up the sauce. It also pairs perfectly with a crisp Caesar salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the cheese and butter.

How To Store

Wrap any leftovers tightly in aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the bread in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to crisp the crust back up, as microwaving makes it chewy.

FAQs

Can I freeze this bread? Yes, you can assemble the bread with butter and cheese, then wrap and freeze it before baking. When ready to eat, bake from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What kind of bread is best? A soft Italian loaf or French bread works best for this recipe because it provides a fluffy interior and a crisp crust.

Nutrition

• Calories: 280
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sodium: 380mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Protein: 10g

Try More Recipes:

• Sourdough Discard Italian Bread
• Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe
• Little Caesars Italian Cheese Bread Recipe

Italian Cheesy Bread

Recipe by Paula

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

25

minutes

Crispy Italian Cheesy Bread with garlic herb butter, melted mozzarella, and parmesan cheese ready in 20 minutes for a quick side. This recipe transforms a simple loaf into a gooey, savory treat perfect for pasta night. It uses fresh ingredients for superior flavor and effortless preparation.

Ingredients

• 1 large loaf soft Italian bread

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

• Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
• Slice the Loaf: Cut the Italian bread in half horizontally to create two long, open-faced halves, then place them cut-side up on the baking sheet.
• Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, and dried Italian seasoning until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
• Assemble: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both halves of the bread, then top generously with the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
• Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, broiling for the last minute if you prefer a golden brown top.