Back when dinnertime felt like chaos, I used to grab frozen garlic bread from the store and call it a night. But it always felt… underwhelming. Once I started making my own cheesy garlic bread from scratch, everything changed. It’s fast, it’s foolproof, and now it’s one of those little “victories” that makes a regular weeknight dinner feel special. Plus, my kids ask for it every time we do spaghetti. 

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of French bread (or Italian bread), sliced in half lengthwise

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Mix the garlic butter: In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and parsley.

3. Spread the garlic butter evenly on both halves of the bread.

4. Top with cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella evenly, then add Parmesan on top.

5. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges are golden brown.

6. Optional broil: For extra crispiness, broil on high for 1–2 minutes — watch carefully!

7. Slice and serve warm. Perfect with pasta, salad, or soup.

Tips from Sarah’s Kitchen:

• Use roasted garlic for a sweeter, mellow flavor.

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.

• Make ahead by prepping the bread and freezing it before baking.

• Try with sourdough or ciabatta for a twist on texture.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 6 servings):

• Calories: 280

• Protein: 8g

• Carbs: 24g

• Fat: 17g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 1g