Stuffed Cheesy Garlic Bread
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If you’re looking for the best Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread, this is the one I come back to over and over again. It’s sliced, stuffed with garlicky butter and cheese, wrapped in foil, and baked until the inside is gooey and the edges are crisp.
This isn’t just garlic bread with cheese on top. The cheese is mixed right into the garlic butter, so every slice pulls apart with melty goodness inside.
This stuffed garlic bread is the ultimate sidekick for just about any meal! Inspired by my years of running a meal prep business, where creating quick and family-friendly recipes was always a priority, this dish is as versatile as it is delicious. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a warm, cheesy loaf guaranteed to impress.
Whether you pair it with a comforting pasta dish like baked ravioli, a hearty soup like creamy chicken and vegetables, or a classic favorite like cabbage roll casserole, this stuffed garlic bread is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that the whole family will devour!
Why You’ll Love
- Easy but impressive – Simple ingredients, big payoff
- Extra gooey – Cheese tucked into every slice, not just on top
- Perfect for parties – Game day, pasta night, soups, or casseroles
- Family-friendly – Familiar flavors everyone loves
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Stuffed Garlic Cheesy Bread Ingredients
Recipe Notes
- Loaf of bread – French, Italian, or sourdough all work well
- Butter (softened) – Make sure it’s softened, not melted. Melted butter makes the mixture runny and harder to stuff into the slices.
- Garlic cloves – If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use ½-1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Fresh parsley – Optional, but adds color and freshness
- Mozzarella cheese – Use low-moisture shredded mozzarella. This can be freshly grated from a block or pre-shredded. Fresh mozzarella has too much moisture and can cause the cheese to melt out of the bread instead of staying tucked inside.
Party & Make Ahead Directions
This bread is best baked just before serving, but if it needs to sit in the oven while guests arrive:
- After baking, lower the oven temperature to 250-275°F to keep it warm.
- Leaving it too long at high heat can cause the butter and cheese to liquefy and settle at the bottom of the loaf.
My shortcut for parties:
If I’m short on time, I’ll slice the bread all the way through, spread the same garlic butter mixture over each slice, and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s faster, easier for entertaining, and avoids waiting on a full bake.
I also use this method when I’m bringing the bread to someone else’s house and want to keep oven time to a minimum.
How To Make Stuffed Garlic Bread (step-by-step photos included)
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Using a serrated knife, slice the loaf into 1-inch slices, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, olive oil, garlic, parsley, mozzarella cheese, and red pepper flakes until thick and spreadable.
Step 3: Spoon and press the butter mixture evenly between each slice of bread.
Step 4: Wrap the loaf loosely in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the top layer of foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Step 6: Pull apart bread pieces and serve immediately.
What to Serve With
I love serving this fun appetizer during football season with a dipping sauce like ranch dressing or marinara sauce. It will have everyone cheering for more!
The garlic toast is also the perfect side dish with spinach artichoke chicken, chicken parmesan, BBQ chicken casserole, and traditional goulash.
Seriously, this bread will go with almost all of your weeknight dinners. You’ll find yourself making it over and over again!
FAQ
Yes, you can quickly reheat leftover garlic bread in the air fryer. Place the loaf on a piece of foil and cook for 2 – 3 minutes at 350 degrees.
Yes, you can make garlic bread ahead of time. Store the bread in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking or freezer for up to 3 months.
This usually happens when the bread sits too long in a hot oven. Lower the temperature after baking or use the broil shortcut for parties.
Low-moisture shredded mozzarella works best. Fresh mozzarella has too much moisture and can cause the cheese to slide out while baking.
Garlic Bread Variations
- Three-cheese: Add a little parmesan or cheddar along with the mozzarella.
- Pesto garlic bread: Try my pesto recipe.
- Meat lover’s: Add finely chopped cooked sausage or pepperoni.
Different cheeses and add-ins will change the flavor, but the method stays the same.
Did you make the recipe? Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook! Thanks so much!
Recipe
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Cheesy Garlic Toast (Stuffed Pull-Apart Bread)
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf of Bread (French, Italian or Sourdough)
- 3 cloves Minced Garlic
- ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
- ½ cup Softened Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1¼ cup Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Using a serrated knife on a cutting board, cut the bread loaf into 1-inch slices, being careful not to cut all the way through.1 Loaf of Bread
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, mozzarella cheese, and red pepper flakes.3 cloves Minced Garlic, ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Parsley, ½ cup Softened Butter, 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1¼ cup Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese, ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Stuff the butter mixture in between the bread slices. Wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place it on a baking tray.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the top layer of foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Pull apart the bread pieces and serve immediately.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1 – 2 days.
- You can easily reheat leftover garlic bread in the oven. Wrap the bread in foil and warm at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
- After stuffing the cheese mixture between the slices of bread, place the bread in a freezer bag or foil. Freeze the garlic bread for up to 3 months.
- When ready to bake, follow the recipe card for baking instructions. It may take a few extra minutes if the bread is frozen.
This garlic bread came out perfect and so tasty ! Loved it !
Very good and a super easy recipe
Thank you!
Love the red pepper flakes! So delicious!
I could eat this entire loaf of Bread all by myself I love Bread and this one especially, thank you for the great recipe.
Thanks Donna! I’m so glad you enjoyed.
So good and easy to make!
This bread took Lasagna night to another level! Yummy!
My kids loved ThIs, so good!! The red pepper gives an extra kick.
Thanks Connie! I love the added kick.
I took this took a dinner party and it was a hit! Used the following: Rustic Italian Bread from Costco, a brick of mozzarella from the dairy/cheese section at grocery store, fresh parsley and garlic powder. Didn’t have pepper flakes, so I substituted a small amount of cayenne pepper. The loaves had to stay awhile in the oven before dinner, causing the cheese to melt down to the bottom and form a “crust.” I was bummed about that, but everyone loved the crunch. Next time, I will put oven on super low to keep it warm.
Thanks Jane. I’m glad everyone liked the garlic bread even with the crunchy bottom. Actually, sounds pretty darn good that way. I updated the blog post with a few baking tips and a better cheese explanation. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!