Classic Garlic Bread
A golden, buttery, and aromatic side dish that perfectly complements any pasta or soup dinner.
Ingredients
- •1 loaf French bread or baguette
- •1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (115g)
- •4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- •2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- •1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- •1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise, or into thick individual slices if preferred.
- 3
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt until well blended.
- 4
Spread the garlic butter mixture generously over the cut sides of the bread.
- 5
If using, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the buttered bread.
- 6
Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the butter is bubbling.
- 7
For extra crispiness, broil the bread for the last 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- 8
Remove from the oven, slice into pieces, and serve warm.
💡 Chef tips
- Use high-quality salted butter if you prefer a more savory profile, and reduce the added salt accordingly.
- You can wrap the assembled, unbaked bread in foil and freeze it for up to one month; just bake it directly from frozen for an extra 5-7 minutes.
- For a deeper flavor, roast the garlic cloves in their skins before mincing them into the butter.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished bread should have a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust with a soft, buttery center that smells intensely of toasted garlic and fresh herbs.