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Sliced golden garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella and parsley on a wooden board
Italian · Side Dishes

Garlic Bread with Parsley and Mozzarella

Crisp-edged, buttery garlic bread with a soft middle and a light melt of mozzarella. It takes ten minutes to prepare and goes with almost any pasta or soup.

Published 29 Sep 2026

Prep10 min
Cook15 min
Total25 min
Serves4
DifficultyEasy
CuisineItalian
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Ingredients

4 servings

Equipment: Oven, baking tray, aluminium foil, small bowl, serrated bread knife

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with foil.

  2. Mash the softened butter in a small bowl with the garlic, parsley, oregano, salt and chilli flakes, if using, until evenly combined and pale green-flecked.

  3. Slice the loaf in half lengthwise, or cut it into 2 cm thick slices without cutting through the bottom crust. Place on the tray.

  4. Spread the garlic butter generously over the cut sides, or between the slices. If the loaf is closed, wrap it loosely in foil.

  5. Bake wrapped or cut side up for 10 minutes, until the butter has melted into the bread and the crust feels crisp when tapped.

  6. Open the foil if needed and scatter the mozzarella and Parmesan over the bread. Bake uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden at the edges.

  7. Rest for 2 minutes, then cut into pieces and serve warm.

Cooking tips

  • Grate the garlic rather than chopping it so it spreads evenly and does not leave sharp raw bites.
  • Use bread that is a day old if you can; it crisps better and soaks up butter without turning soggy.
  • If the top browns too fast, cover loosely with foil for the last few minutes.
  • Mix the garlic butter ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days so it is ready when you need it.

Substitutions

  • Use dried parsley (1 tsp) or fresh coriander if fresh parsley is not available.
  • Swap mozzarella for cheddar or a pizza cheese blend.
  • Use garlic powder (1 tsp) if fresh garlic is not on hand, though the flavour will be milder.
  • Use any soft white bread rolls or burger buns in place of a baguette.

Serve with

"Serve with spaghetti, lasagna or a bowl of tomato soup. It also works alongside grilled chicken and a simple green salad."

Storage

Keep leftovers wrapped in foil at room temperature for 1 day, or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Unbaked, assembled garlic bread can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Reheating

Wrap in foil and warm in a 180°C oven for 8 to 10 minutes, then open the foil for the last 2 minutes to re-crisp. Bake frozen bread for about 20 minutes.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

340kcal
10 gProtein
36 gCarbs
18 gFat

Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.

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Italian & Med recipes Side DishesBakingVegetarianQuick Meals
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