Appetizers · Part 3 of 3: Tips & recipe card

Ultimate Garlic Bread with Mozzarella and Parmesan Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Name: Ultimate Garlic Bread with Mozzarella and Parmesan
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 loaf French bread; 6 cloves garlic, roasted; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1/2 tsp sea salt; 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

By Clara Weller · Oct 27, 2026

Golden garlic bread with blistered mozzarella and cheddar, pulled apart showing cheese stretch

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 8 min
Total: 23 min
Serves: 6

Tips for success

For the best cheese pull, use low-moisture mozzarella, which melts into long, elastic strands. Shred it yourself from a block for the best texture.

If you want extra color, sprinkle a little smoked paprika or red pepper flakes on top before broiling. The bread is best served fresh from the oven, but if reheating, use a hot oven or toaster oven to restore crispness.

To make the garlic butter ahead, mix the roasted garlic, butter, parsley, parmesan, and salt, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Let it soften before spreading. You can also freeze the butter mixture in a log and slice off rounds as needed. This makes assembling the bread a five-minute job on a busy night.

Variations

Spicy Garlic Bread: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the garlic butter and sprinkle a pinch of cayenne over the cheese before broiling. The heat balances the richness of the butter and cheese.
Herb and Tomato: Spread a thin layer of sun-dried tomato paste over the buttered bread, then top with the cheese and a few fresh basil leaves. Broil until bubbly for a Mediterranean twist.
Four Cheese: Replace the cheddar with provolone and add 1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese. The sharper cheeses add complexity and a tangy kick.
Bacon and Chive: Sprinkle 3 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh chives over the cheese before broiling. The smoky, salty bacon pairs perfectly with the garlic and cheese.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or broiler to restore crispness.
Freezer: The unbaked assembled bread can be frozen for up to 1 month. Broil from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Reheat: Reheat in a toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the bread and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving, which makes the bread chewy and the cheese rubbery.

The garlic butter can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in the fridge. The bread can be assembled (buttered and topped with cheese) up to 2 hours ahead, then broiled just before serving. Keep it in the fridge if waiting longer, and let it come to room temperature for 10 minutes before broiling.

Serving ideas

Serve this garlic bread as a side to pasta, lasagna, or a hearty soup. It also works as an appetizer, cut into thick slices and arranged on a platter.

The cheese pull is a crowd-pleaser, so have extra napkins ready. Pair it with a simple green salad for a light meal, or serve alongside grilled meats for a barbecue.

For a party, cut the bread into smaller pieces before broiling so guests can grab individual portions. You can also top with a sprinkle of fresh parsley after broiling for color.

The bread is best eaten warm, so plan to serve it straight from the oven. Leftovers can be repurposed as croutons in a salad or as a base for bruschetta.

Frequently asked questions

Can this garlic bread be made ahead of time?

Yes, the garlic butter can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The assembled bread (buttered and topped with cheese) can be prepared a few hours ahead and kept in the fridge, then broiled just before serving. If making ahead, let the bread sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before broiling to ensure even cooking.

Why does the cheese sometimes burn before the bread is toasted?

Broiling temperatures can vary, and the cheese may brown faster than the bread. To prevent burning, place the bread on a lower oven rack or reduce the broiler temperature slightly. Watch the bread closely and rotate the baking sheet if needed. You can also cover the bread loosely with foil if the cheese is browning too quickly.

Can this recipe be made without roasting the garlic?

Roasting the garlic is key to the sweet, mellow flavor of this dish. If you skip it, the garlic will be raw and much more pungent, which can overpower the other ingredients. If you're short on time, you can use jarred roasted garlic, but the flavor may be less intense. For a quick alternative, sauté minced garlic in a little oil until fragrant.

What is the best way to reheat leftover garlic bread?

To reheat, place the bread on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp. Avoid the microwave, which makes the bread soggy and the cheese rubbery. If you have a toaster oven, that works well too. Reheat only the amount you plan to eat.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free French bread or baguette instead of regular bread. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Be sure to check the labels of the cheeses and butter to ensure they are gluten-free, as some processed cheeses may contain additives. The cooking method remains the same.

Recipe card

Ultimate Garlic Bread with Mozzarella and Parmesan

Prep 15 minCook 8 minTotal 23 minServes 6

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread
6 cloves garlic, roasted
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with a little oil, wrap in foil, and roast for about 30 minutes until soft. When cool enough to handle, squeeze the cloves into a bowl. Add the softened butter, parsley, parmesan, and sea salt. Mash with a fork until smooth and well combined.
Slice the French bread loaf in half horizontally, creating two long halves. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet.
Spread the garlic butter generously across the cut surface of both bread halves, going edge to edge. Make sure to cover every bit of exposed crumb so the bread is well flavored.
Pile the shredded mozzarella and cheddar on top of the buttered bread, spreading it out to cover the surface evenly. Press the cheese lightly so it adheres.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil at 425°F (220°C) for about 8 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is bubbly and golden with toasted brown spots. The edges of the bread should be crisp and the cheese fully melted.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Pull apart a slice to reveal the long cheese stretch. Serve warm, pulling pieces apart as desired.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories: 350
Protein: 12 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fat: 21 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.

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This recipe is based on a short cooking video and is published under the pen name Clara Weller. It was checked before publication, but errors can slip through. Nutrition, when shown, is an estimate. Read more in our editorial policy and on our food safety page.