Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread

Ingredients

• 2 garlic (whole heads, tops sliced off to expose cloves)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for roasting garlic)
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• 0.5 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 loaf Italian bread (or French baguette, sliced lengthwise)
• 1.5 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (grated)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   Slice the tops off the garlic heads to expose the individual cloves. Place the garlic heads on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, and season with a pinch of salt.

3. 3

   Wrap the garlic tightly in the foil and roast in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the cloves are soft, fragrant, and golden brown.

4. 4

   Once roasted, let the garlic cool slightly. Squeeze the softened cloves out of their skins into a small mixing bowl.

5. 5

   Add the softened butter, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the roasted garlic. Mash and mix thoroughly until a smooth paste forms.

6. 6

   Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise and place both halves on a baking sheet.

7. 7

   Spread the roasted garlic butter generously over the cut sides of the bread, ensuring even coverage to the edges.

8. 8

   Top the buttered bread with shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.

9. 9

   Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra color, broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.

10. 10

    Remove from the oven, slice into thick pieces, and serve warm.

Notes

For the best flavor, use high-quality butter and freshly grated parmesan. If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• side dish
• garlic bread
• roasted garlic
• vegetarian
• baked
• comfort food