Description
Savory Italian cheesy bread rolls through comfort with Mediterranean charm, promising a warm embrace of melted goodness. Rich layers of cheese and herbs invite you to indulge in this simple yet irresistible culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread, halved lengthwise
- 2 cups shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend)
Butter and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to a toasty 375F (190C), ensuring a perfectly calibrated cooking environment. Lay out a protective parchment paper over the baking sheet to prevent any unwanted sticking.
- Create a luscious flavor base by gently blending softened butter with finely chopped garlic and aromatic Italian seasoning. Whisk the mixture until the ingredients harmonize into a smooth, fragrant spread.
- Transform the bread surface by lavishly coating each half with the garlic-infused butter, ensuring complete and even coverage. Generously cascade shredded cheese across the buttered terrain, followed by a delicate snowfall of grated Parmesan to build a rich, textural landscape.
- Position the prepared bread halves onto the lined baking sheet, allowing the cheese-crowned surfaces to face upward. Slide the sheet into the preheated oven and allow the heat to work its magic for 10-12 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt into a molten, bubbling blanket.
- For an extra touch of golden perfection, activate the broiler briefly, monitoring closely to achieve a crisp, caramelized top without risking burning. Once the cheese transforms into a tempting, bronzed canvas, extract from the oven.
- Elevate the visual and flavor profile by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley across the surface. Slice the bread into inviting segments and serve while the cheese remains gloriously warm and stretchy.
Notes
- Achieve the perfect golden-brown crust by watching the bread closely during the final broiling stage, as ovens vary in intensity and can quickly burn the cheese.
- Transform this recipe into a gluten-free option by using gluten-free bread or cauliflower bread as a base, maintaining the same delicious cheesy flavor profile.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda to create unique flavor variations that suit your taste preferences.
- Make ahead and prep the garlic butter mixture in advance, storing it in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing for quick and easy assembly when sudden cravings strike.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg