Description
This Garlic Lover's Garlic Bread recipe features a crispy, golden crust loaded with roasted garlic, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, creating a savory and aromatic side perfect for complementing pastas, soups, or salads. The bread is roasted slowly to bring out the rich, mellow sweetness of garlic, then topped with a flavorful garlic herb butter that bakes to perfection with a lightly crisp finish.
Ingredients
Bread and Roasting
- 1 loaf Italian or French bread (approx. 16 ounces), sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 head garlic
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
Garlic Herb Butter
- ½ cup very soft unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped leafy fresh herbs (e.g. basil, parsley, oregano)
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare all ingredients and preheat your oven to 350°F, positioning a rack in the center.
- Roast the garlic: Remove excess paper from the head of garlic and slice off the top to expose the cloves. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, wrap the garlic head in foil, and place it on a small baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the garlic becomes fragrant and golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Prepare the garlic herb butter: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, finely chopped raw garlic, grated parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Once the roasted garlic has cooled enough to handle, squeeze the soft, roasted cloves out of the head and mix them thoroughly into the butter mixture to create a smooth and flavorful spread.
- Prepare the garlic bread: Generously spread the garlic herb butter over the cut sides of the sliced bread halves.
- Bake the garlic bread: Place the buttered bread halves on a large baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. For an extra crispy and golden finish, switch the oven to broil and broil the bread on the center rack for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Slice and serve: Transfer the baked garlic bread to a cutting board and slice into individual pieces using a serrated knife. Serve immediately alongside your favorite pasta, soup, or salad dishes for a delicious accompaniment.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is very soft before mixing to achieve a smooth spread.
- Watch the garlic bread closely when broiling to prevent burning as it can brown quickly.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried if fresh is unavailable, but reduce quantity by half to avoid overpowering flavors.
- Leftover garlic bread can be reheated in the oven wrapped lightly in foil to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
