Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large loaf of Italian bread or French bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or thyme)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a serrated knife, cut the loaf horizontally into halves or thirds, depending on size. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian herbs, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly to create an aromatic garlic butter mixture.
- Using a bread knife, make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart across the loaf, stopping just short of slicing all the way through. Turn the bread and make parallel cuts to create a criss-cross pattern. This scoring allows the cheese and garlic mixture to seep into every layer, ensuring each pull-apart piece is bursting with flavor.
- Gently spread some of the garlic butter between the cuts, then stuff shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese into the crevices. You can also sprinkle additional cheese on top of the loaf for extra cheesiness. Place the prepared loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread edges are golden brown. For a crispier top, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning. Once done, remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Wrap the assembled bread tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Bake just before serving for the best results.
- For added flavor, consider mixing cooked bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms, or jalapeños into the cheese filling.
- Use gluten-free bread or rolls for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg