Description
This Pull-Apart Cheese Bread recipe transforms a crusty loaf of bread into a gooey, cheesy delight perfect for sharing. Sliced and stuffed with garlic butter, parsley, and a blend of parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, then baked to golden perfection, it makes an irresistible appetizer or snack served with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf crusty bread (sourdough or Italian)
Cheese and Herbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Garlic Butter
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
- Slice Bread: Use a sharp, serrated knife to cut the loaf diagonally into 1-inch slices without cutting all the way through the bottom, then turn the loaf a quarter turn and make slices again to form a diamond grid pattern. Place the loaf on a piece of foil set on a baking sheet.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then stir in the garlic powder to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
- Stuff Bread: Using a pastry brush, coat the inside of the bread slices with the melted garlic butter. Stuff the cracks between slices generously with shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley to ensure cheesy goodness inside.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the entire loaf tightly in foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Unwrap and Finish Baking: Unwrap the top of the loaf to expose the bread and bake for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese and crisp the crust slightly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use a serrated knife for clean, precise cuts without squashing the bread.
- You can customize the herbs by adding fresh basil or oregano for more Italian flavor.
- For a spicier version, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the garlic butter.
- Make sure not to cut through the bottom of the loaf to keep the bread intact for easy pulling apart.
- Serve warm for the best melty cheese experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pull apart bread, cheese bread, garlic cheese bread, appetizer, Italian bread, snack, party food, marinara dip
