Description
This easy garlic bread recipe features a buttery, garlicky spread atop crusty French or Italian bread, baked to golden perfection. It’s a simple yet flavorful side dish perfect for pairing with pasta, salads, or your favorite meals.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Garlic Butter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
For the Bread:
- 1 loaf of French bread or Italian bread, about 12-16 inches long
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven reaches the right temperature for evenly baking the garlic bread.
- Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
- Slice the Bread: Cut the loaf of French or Italian bread in half lengthwise to create two long halves. Alternatively, slice the bread into individual pieces for easier serving.
- Spread the Garlic Butter: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Make sure to cover all surfaces for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Top with Parmesan: If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bread for an extra layer of savory richness.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the prepared bread halves on a baking sheet, cut side facing up to expose the garlic butter during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the butter is fully melted. For an extra crispy top, broil the bread for 1-2 minutes at the end, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Slice and Enjoy: Remove the garlic bread from the oven. Let it cool for a minute, then slice into serving pieces if you haven’t already. Serve warm and enjoy the delicious, aromatic garlic bread!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of garlic to suit your taste preference for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
- Use fresh parsley for a brighter herbal note, or dried parsley if fresh is unavailable.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory touch.
- For vegan variation, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine or olive oil spread.
- Watch carefully during broiling to prevent the bread from burning.
