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    The Best Cheesy Bread Recipe

    Published October 5, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This simple-to-prepare cheesy bread recipe is broiled with garlic herb butter and melty fontina cheese, and it comes together in minutes. Your family will be begging you to make this. That’s just how delicious it is.  

    I love everything about bread and exploring as many ways as possible to make it. If you love baking bread as well, then definitely check out my Brioche or Cornbread Recipe.

    cheesy bread on a sheet tray

    Cheesy Bread

    Cheesy bread is a simple side dish consisting of shredded cheese that is melted onto sliced bread and cooked in the oven until melted. This was a popular snack in our house as it is easy to make and comes together in under 20 minutes.

    While the basic recipe for this uses few ingredients, I took the liberty to enhance it using garlic and more flavorful cheeses. Feel free to get creative with this bread and use cheese or herbs that you like to make it work for you and your family.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    cheesy bread ingredients
    • Bread – I prefer to use a good Italian or French Bread.
    • Butter – Always use unsalted butter in cooking and baking so that you can control the salt content and not a butter company.
    • Garlic – A few garlic cloves add a lot of flavor to the cheesy bread.
    • Cheese – I used a combination of fontina and asiago. Other options are mozzarella and parmigiana Reggiano.
    • Parsley – Some finely minced parsley is used as a garnish.

    How to Make Cheesy Bread

    In a small-sized sauce pot, melt together the butter, garlic, and parsley.

    butter and herbs in a pan

    Slice the bread in half lengthwise and place on a sheet tray. Do not line it with parchment paper. You can, however, use foil if you prefer.

    bread cut in half

    Evenly brush both cut sides of the bread with the garlic, butter, and parsley mixture until it is completely coated.

    brushing bread with butter

    Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until it begins to harden up on top slightly.

    baked bread

    Remove the bread from the oven and immediately turn the broiler to high.

    turning the broiler on

    Evenly sprinkle the cheese over the top of the bread, completely covering it. Be sure to cover the edges so they do not burn.

    adding cheese to bread

    Place the bread back in the oven on the middle rack under the broiler and broil for 2 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and some brown spots start to form.

    broiling cheesy bread

    Remove the cheesy bread, slice it, and garnish with optional chopped parsley.

    bread with cheese

    Make-Ahead and Storage

    Make-Ahead: This is meant to be eaten as soon as it is done cooking. You can, however, keep it warm in the oven at very low temperatures (200° F) for up to 30 minutes before serving, but it may tend to dry out.

    How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This will not freeze well.

    How to Reheat: Wrap the desired amount in foil and bake in the oven at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until hot.

    Chef Billy Parisi

    Chef Notes + Tips

    • Feel free to replace the butter with a 1/3 cup of olive oil.
    • I always place everything in the oven on the middle rack.

    More Bread Recipes

    Let's Cook - Chef Billy Parisi

    The Best Cheesy Bread Recipe

    This simple-to-prepare cheesy bread recipe is broiled with garlic herb butter and melty fontina cheese, and it comes together in minutes.
    Servings: 6
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 19 minutes

    Ingredients 

    • 2 sticks unsalted butter
    • 3 finely grated garlic cloves
    • 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley
    • 1 large loaf fresh baked bread
    • 2 cups shredded fontina cheese
    • 1 cup shredded asiago cheese
    • Coarse salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 375°.
    • In a small-sized sauce pot, melt the butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. This should only take 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Slice the bread in half lengthwise and place on a sheet tray. Do not line it with parchment paper. You can, however, use foil if you prefer.
    • Evenly brush both cut sides of the bread with the garlic, butter, and parsley mixture until it is completely coated.
    • Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until it begins to harden up on top slightly.
    • Remove the bread from the oven and immediately turn the broiler to high.
    • Evenly sprinkle the cheese over the top of the bread, completely covering it. Be sure to cover the edges so they do not burn.
    • Place the bread back in the oven on the middle rack under the broiler and broil for 2 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and some brown spots start to form.
    • Remove the cheesy bread, slice it, and garnish with optional chopped parsley.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead: This is meant to be eaten as soon as it is done cooking. You can, however, keep it warm in the oven at very low temperatures (200° F) for up to 30 minutes before serving, but it may tend to dry out.
    How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This will not freeze well.
    How to Reheat: Wrap the desired amount in foil and bake in the oven at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until hot.
    Feel free to replace the butter with a 1/3 cup of olive oil.
    I always place everything in the oven on the middle rack.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 24gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 988mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 653IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 444mgIron: 0.3mg
    Course: bread, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Italian

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