Few side dishes can steal the spotlight from a main course quite like cheesy garlic bread. Warm, fragrant, and perfectly golden, this dish is a sensory delight that blends the comforting aroma of roasted garlic with the indulgent richness of melted cheese. Whether served alongside a hearty pasta, as part of a game-day spread, or simply enjoyed on its own, this cheesy garlic bread earns rave reviews every time.
What makes this recipe so special is its layered flavor. It begins with roasted garlic, which mellows the raw sharpness into a sweet, nutty flavor that infuses every bite. That garlic is blended into a buttery custard base, ensuring that each slice is soft on the inside yet crisp and golden on the edges. Add to that a generous blanket of gooey, stretchy mozzarella, and you’ve got the kind of bread people can’t stop reaching for.
Even better, it’s surprisingly simple to make. The recipe uses soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls, but you can easily substitute with a crusty French baguette if you prefer. With a little prep and about an hour in the kitchen, you’ll be rewarded with bakery-quality cheesy garlic bread that’s perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.
Why This Recipe Works
- Roasted garlic brings a deep, sweet flavor that fresh garlic can’t match.
- Garlic butter custard ensures every bite is moist and flavorful, without greasiness.
- Hawaiian rolls offer a unique sweet-savory contrast to the rich cheese topping.
- Broiling at the end delivers a golden, bubbly cheese finish.
- Make-ahead friendly — prep the components ahead and assemble before baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Roasted Garlic
- 8–10 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Garlic Butter Custard
- Roasted garlic from above
- ½ cup butter, melted (113 g)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk (60 g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Assembly
- 12 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sheet Rolls (or 1 French baguette of similar size)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley and chili flakes for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small oven-safe dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and toss to coat. Cover with a lid or foil and roast for about 20 minutes, or until the cloves are soft, golden, and aromatic. Mash the roasted garlic with a fork until smooth, then set aside.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Custard
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mashed roasted garlic, melted butter, egg, milk, salt, paprika, and chopped parsley. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and fully combined. This mixture will serve as both a flavor infusion and a moisture-locking layer for your bread.
Step 3: Prepare and Toast the Bread
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) after roasting the garlic. Use a sharp knife to slice the sheet of Hawaiian rolls horizontally into two even halves. Place them cut-side up on a large baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden and crisp on the surface.
Step 4: Coat with Garlic Butter Custard
Transfer the garlic butter custard to a shallow, wide dish. Carefully dip each toasted bread half into the custard, making sure all sides are coated without oversaturating. This ensures the flavor penetrates while keeping the structure intact. Place the coated bread back on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the custard-coated bread at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden and fragrant. The bread should feel crisp at the edges but still soft in the middle.
Step 6: Add the Cheese
Generously cover the bread with shredded mozzarella cheese, making sure to spread it evenly to the edges. Switch your oven setting to broil or grill, and broil for about 5 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning. Remove when the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and starting to brown.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and a pinch of chili flakes over the top for color and a hint of heat. Slice into portions and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and stretchy.
Tips & Variations
- Different cheeses – Try a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan for a more complex flavor.
- Extra garlic punch – Add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the custard if you want more intensity.
- Crispier base – For an extra crunch, place the bread directly on the oven rack during the final bake.
- Make-ahead option – Roast the garlic and prepare the custard up to 2 days ahead; store in the fridge until ready to assemble.
- Herb lovers – Add fresh basil, oregano, or chives for extra flavor.
What to Serve With Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Pasta dishes – Pairs perfectly with spaghetti Bolognese, fettuccine Alfredo, or baked ziti.
- Soups – Serve alongside creamy tomato soup, minestrone, or broccoli cheddar soup.
- Salads – Complements a crisp Caesar or garden salad for a lighter pairing.
- Party platters – Cut into smaller squares and serve as an appetizer with marinara dipping sauce.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in oven – Warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes to restore crispness.
- Freezer-friendly – Freeze unbaked, custard-coated bread for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Nutritional Highlights
While this bread is an indulgence, roasted garlic offers antioxidants and beneficial compounds for heart health. Using fresh parsley adds vitamin K and bright flavor, while mozzarella provides protein and calcium. If you want to make it slightly lighter, use part-skim mozzarella and reduce the butter by a couple of tablespoons.
Final Thoughts
This Best Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe isn’t just a side dish—it’s a scene-stealer. The roasted garlic adds a depth of flavor that pre-minced garlic simply can’t replicate, and the custard layer keeps the bread soft and luscious without being greasy. Paired with stretchy, golden mozzarella, every bite is a little piece of carb-filled heaven. Whether you’re hosting friends, making a special family dinner, or just craving something indulgent, this garlic bread will become your go-to recipe. Once you try it, you might find yourself making it as often as the main course it’s meant to accompany.
The Goods
Best Cheesy Garlic Bread
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Recipes
Roasted Garlic
- 8 –10 garlic cloves peeled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Garlic Butter Custard
- Roasted garlic from above
- ½ cup butter melted (113 g)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk 60 g
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Assembly
- 12 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sheet Rolls or 1 French baguette of similar size
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley and chili flakes for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small oven-safe dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and toss to coat. Cover with a lid or foil and roast for about 20 minutes, or until the cloves are soft, golden, and aromatic. Mash the roasted garlic with a fork until smooth, then set aside.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Custard
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mashed roasted garlic, melted butter, egg, milk, salt, paprika, and chopped parsley. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and fully combined. This mixture will serve as both a flavor infusion and a moisture-locking layer for your bread.
Step 3: Prepare and Toast the Bread
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) after roasting the garlic. Use a sharp knife to slice the sheet of Hawaiian rolls horizontally into two even halves. Place them cut-side up on a large baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden and crisp on the surface.
Step 4: Coat with Garlic Butter Custard
- Transfer the garlic butter custard to a shallow, wide dish. Carefully dip each toasted bread half into the custard, making sure all sides are coated without oversaturating. This ensures the flavor penetrates while keeping the structure intact. Place the coated bread back on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
- Bake the custard-coated bread at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden and fragrant. The bread should feel crisp at the edges but still soft in the middle.
Step 6: Add the Cheese
- Generously cover the bread with shredded mozzarella cheese, making sure to spread it evenly to the edges. Switch your oven setting to broil or grill, and broil for about 5 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning. Remove when the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and starting to brown.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and a pinch of chili flakes over the top for color and a hint of heat. Slice into portions and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and stretchy.
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