Garlic Bread
Crusty bread rubbed with garlic and butter, toasted until golden — the perfect sidekick to pasta or soup.
Side Dishes · Prep 10 min · Cook 12 min · Serves 6 · Easy · By Tina · Published
Ingredients
- 1 large French baguette
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, optional
The Side Dish Nobody Can Resist
I genuinely believe that garlic bread has prevented more arguments at my dinner table than anything else. It's the great unifier. Everyone reaches for it, everyone loves it, and it makes even the simplest pasta dinner feel like an event.
Choosing Your Bread
A good French baguette or Italian loaf is what you want here -- something with a sturdy crust and a soft, airy interior. Slice it in half lengthwise. I've tried every type of bread imaginable, and a day-old baguette actually works best because it crisps up without getting too hard.
The Garlic Butter
This is where the magic happens. Soften good unsalted butter and mix it with finely minced fresh garlic (never jarred -- I'm begging you), chopped fresh parsley, a pinch of salt, and just a whisper of garlic powder for extra depth. Spread it generously on both halves. And I mean generously.
Getting the Perfect Toast
Place the bread cut-side up on a baking sheet and bake at 190°C/375°F for about 10 minutes until the edges are golden and the butter is bubbling. For an extra-crispy top, switch to the grill/broil setting for the last 2 minutes. Watch it like a hawk though -- it goes from golden to burnt in seconds.
Optional (But Highly Recommended)
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top before baking for cheesy garlic bread that will genuinely make people emotional.
Tina's Tips
- Always use fresh garlic -- the flavour difference is night and day compared to jarred
- Soften the butter first so it spreads easily and mixes with the garlic evenly
- A day-old baguette works better than fresh because it gets crispier without turning rock-hard
- Watch it under the grill -- garlic bread goes from perfect to charcoal in about 30 seconds
More side dishes recipes
- Garlic Naan (Medium · 15 min · serves 8)
Soft. Pillowy. Garlicky perfection. Better than any restaurant — and you don’t even need a tandoor oven. - Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes (Easy · 60 min · serves 4)
Crispy, lemony, and impossibly addictive. These are the potatoes that disappear before they even make it to… - Green Bean Casserole (Easy · 30 min · serves 8)
The beloved holiday side dish featuring tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy… - Homemade Cornbread (Easy · 25 min · serves 8)
Golden, tender, and slightly sweet with a gorgeous crumbly edge. This homemade cornbread is warm comfort in… - Homemade Taco Seasoning (Easy · serves 12)
A flavorful blend of spices that beats any store-bought taco packet. Make a big batch and keep it in your… - Honey Glazed Carrots (Easy · 25 min · serves 4)
Caramelized, buttery, and effortlessly elegant. The side dish that turns humble carrots into something people…