Easy Garlic Bread with Cheese

This easy garlic bread is my favorite quick fix when I am craving something buttery cheesy and loaded with garlic without the fuss of scratch-made dough. It starts with a tube of ready-to-use pizza dough which gets bathed in garlicky butter packed with fresh parsley and a little hit of heat from red pepper flakes. The mozzarella melts into gooey pools of cheese while the crust gets golden crisp on the edges and pillowy at the center. I love serving this with pasta or honestly just with a glass of wine for the ultimate comfort meal.

The first time I made this was for a last-minute pasta night and now it is the most requested side dish in my family. My kids and their friends ask for it every week.

Ingredients

• Pre-made pizza dough: it makes this so fast and easy look for one that feels fresh and soft in the package
• Unsalted butter: this is the flavor base use real butter for the best richness
• Fresh garlic: grated or finely minced fresh garlic is key dried or jarred garlic does not give the same aromatic punch
• Grated parmesan: parmesan adds salty nutty flavor tip try to get a wedge and grate it yourself if you have time
• Fresh or dried parsley: adds color and a little herb lift fresh works best if you have it
• Red pepper flakes: just a pinch wakes up all the flavors choose a fresh jar for best potency
• Shredded mozzarella: freshly shredded melts better than pre-bagged but either works in a pinch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Make the Garlic Butter:

Set your oven to four hundred degrees so it has time to heat up fully. In a medium mixing bowl melt the butter until about seventy percent of the way melted you want a few solid bits left. Stir in the grated garlic parmesan parsley and red pepper flakes to distribute everything evenly. This step lets the hot butter bloom the garlic and spices for fuller flavor.

Roll Out the Dough and Add Garlic Butter:

Sprinkle your counter with just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking. Roll out the pizza dough to a rectangle about ten by fifteen inches. Brush on the garlic butter generously reaching all the way to the edges. Be sure to save a little extra sauce for brushing after baking to double the flavor.

Add the Cheese and Bake:

Scatter shredded mozzarella over the entire buttered surface aim for full but even coverage. Slide the dough onto a baking sheet or pizza pan. Bake for ten to fourteen minutes watching the crust at the ten minute mark so it does not brown too fast. The cheese should be bubbling and edges burnished golden.

Brush Again Slice and Serve:

Melt the reserved garlic butter if it has solidified and brush over the top especially hitting any dry areas or focusing on the crust. Slice into sticks or squares and serve hot so you get every gooey cheese pull.

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I love the sharp pop of fresh garlic in every bite and seeing the faces light up when the cheese stretches. My favorite memory is teaching my youngest to help brush on the garlic butter which always ends up with giggles and plenty of buttery fingers.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Warm slices in the oven at three hundred fifty degrees for about five minutes to revive that just-baked texture. You can also freeze slices individually for a quick snack. Reheat straight from frozen wrapped loosely in foil.

Ingredient Substitutions

Try other soft cheeses like provolone or fontina for a twist on the cheese blend. For a dairy free version swap vegan butter and a coconut based mozzarella style cheese. Flatbread or even a sheet of naan works if you do not have pizza dough. If you have only dried parsley use a little less since dried herbs are more concentrated.

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Serving Suggestions

Easy garlic bread is a dream with creamy pastas tomato soups or a big chopped salad. Top slices with a few marinated tomatoes or olives for a more luxe appetizer tray. Pair it with spaghetti and meatballs or baked lasagna for a classic Italian night.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I use homemade dough instead of store-bought?

Yes, homemade pizza dough works wonderfully and adds an extra touch of freshness if you prefer making your own base.

→ What cheese melts best for garlic bread?

Freshly shredded mozzarella melts beautifully, but feel free to add some grated parmesan for extra flavor and texture.

→ How do I prevent the bread from getting too soggy?

Bake until the edges are a deep golden brown to prevent sogginess. Letting it cool a few minutes also helps the crust set.

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or microwave for best texture and flavor.

→ Can I add extra toppings to this bread?

Absolutely! Try adding cooked bacon bits, chopped chives, or spicy red pepper flakes before baking for more variation.

→ What is the best way to serve this dish?

Slice into strips or squares and serve warm alongside pasta, salads, or enjoy as a snack with your favorite dips.