3-Cheese Garlic French Bread Recipe (No Butter)
The best cheesy garlic bread that nearly tastes like cheese pizza but better. It has the perfect balance of cheeses and a boost of fresh garlic flavor. Toasted in the oven to a beautiful golden brown color and the best cheese pull. It is the perfect side dish to your favorite pastas, soups and other comfort food.
This cheesy garlic bread has been my family’s favorite for years now. We love it with soups the most but serving it with spaghetti, lasagna or salad is also an amazing combination. We love this cheesy garlic bread with our one pan beef bolognese pasta. Highly recommend trying it together, it is like eating out in an Italian restaurant but at home. A great recipe to keep in your cookbook.
Back story how this recipe came to life
Ok, a little back story… about 7 or 8 years ago i came across a picture of such garlic bread on pinterest but i never opened a link to see a recipe because in my head i thought i didn’t need a recipe for it 🙂 I proceeded to put it together how i wanted to and it came out so delicious so i continued to make it the same way since. Then, years later i realized that the classic recipe for this bread calls for softened butter (which is also delicious) but it seems a little heavier for me and i don’t always like my bread soaked with melted butter so i keep going back to making this version and i thought because it is quite different from the classic recipe, it needs to have its own little space here.
Because my family loves a slice of bread or bread sticks with soups like my dumplings soup, super simple soup, and this creamy salmon soup. I make this cheese garlic bread often but when i don’t have a loaf of french bread on hand, i make little cheese canapes using the same cheese mixture but using a sliced baguette instead. It is also equally delicious.
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What other kind of bread can i use instead of french bread?
Most types of bread will work for this recipe. My main go to selections are usually french bread or Italian bread. Using home baked white bread, sourdough or artisan would be equally delicious. Ciabatta bread is also a great option.
What kinds of cheese can i use in the cheese mixture?
This mixture calls for 3 cheeses. A mix of mozzarella, cheddar and cream cheese. You could use your favorite melting cheeses such as parmesan cheese (parmigiano reggiano) or provolone but do not skip out on cream cheese. The reason i add cream cheese here is to reduce the amount of mayonnaise needed to bring the mixture together and be less greasy.
Can i use garlic powder instead fresh garlic?
Using fresh garlic is KEY to get that true garlic flavor, in most dishes when fresh garlic is replaced for dry, the dish end result will be a little different and not as tasty. You’ll get the best results using tons of fresh garlic.
This last time we loved a slice of this cheesy bread with my dried chanterelle soup. We have never eaten a whole french loaf of bread in half a day. With this bread, you don’t know when to stop. It is like eating a soft bread and a crusty bread in one bite. The kids loved dipping the warm bread into the soup and kept asking for more, calling it cheese pizza. This homemade cheesy garlic bread recipe will always be a family favorite.
What you need to make cheesy garlic french bread:
- 1 Loaf of French Bread
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Garlic
- Mayonnaise
- Fresh Parsley for garnish or other fresh herbs (optional)
How to make cheesy garlic bread:
- Slice the bread loaf in half lengthwise.
- Into a bowl add mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise. Mix everything to combine.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the two halves of the french bread and spread.
- Bake on a large baking sheet in the oven at 350F for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top. (Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up in case the cheese drips)
- If you want more browning, you can turn on broil for about a minute or as long as you need. (just stay close, it is very easy to burn.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives to garnish and serve while still warm.
How do i store cheesy garlic bread?
This bread withstands counter life in the same day of cooking it as long as it is tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container to prevent the bread and cheese from drying out. If you need to save it for later, put in in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
How do you reheat cheesy garlic bread?
You can place it in a microwave for about a minute or so if you are in a rush, but if you have a few extra minutes i highly recommend reheating it in a air fryer or in the oven . Simply place the bread on a baking sheet in a cold oven and turn it on 350F. Placing it in a cold oven helps the bread to warm through as the oven heats up, while preventing the cheese from burning. If you place the cheesy bread in a preheated oven, it will also be okay but the cheese will melt faster and the bread won’t be warmed through.
Other recipes to love with this cheesy garlic bread:
Ruth’s Chris copycat BBQ shrimps
Flaky oven baked Salmon
Balsamic pan fried mushrooms
The BEST chicken shishkabobs
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If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below. Better still, snap a photo and tag it on Instagram with #alenashomecooking. I love seeing your creations.
Chessy Garlic French Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf of French Bread
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 3/4 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 4 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 2 cloves Garlic Pressed or finely grated
- 3 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
-
Slice the bread loaf in half lengthwise
-
Into a bowl add mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise. Mix everything to combine.
-
Divide the mixture evenly between two bread halves and spread.
-
Bake in the oven at 350F for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top.
If you want more browning, you can turn on broil for about a minute or as long as you need. (just stay close, it is very easy to burn)
-
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve while still warm.
Recipe Notes
How do you reheat cheesy garlic bread?
You can place it in a microwave for about a minute or so if you are in a rush, but if you have a few extra minutes i highly recommend reheating it in a air fryer or in the oven . Simply place the bread on a baking sheet in a cold oven and turn it on 350F. Placing it in a cold oven helps the bread to warm through as the oven heats up, while preventing the cheese from burning. If you place the cheesy bread in a preheated oven, it will also be okay but the cheese will melt faster and the bread won’t be warmed through.
How do i store cheesy garlic bread?
This bread withstands counter life in the same day of cooking it as long as it is tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container to prevent the bread and cheese from drying out. If you need to save it for later, put in in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
Can i use garlic powder instead fresh garlic?
Using fresh garlic is KEY to get that true garlic flavor, in most dishes when fresh garlic is replaced for dry, the dish end result will be a little different and not as tasty. You’ll get the best results using tons of fresh garlic.
Delicious!!!!! 😋
Not the usual garlic bread I’m used to but it is cheesy and so yum!
I make this on repeat! So good! I love that it doesn’t have butter
This recipe is DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!
I did the baguette slices you suggested in your post for my grazing table layout for a baby shower, everyone kept asking how I made them. Good recipe 👍🏻 will make them again for my next grazing table project
I already made this recipes so many times, my family loves it.
👋 Alena!
I made this recipe twice this week. Local store didn’t have the French bread, so we used French baguette.
It turned out perfect, everyone loved it.
I had to adjust the bake time not to overcook it.
Please keep the recipes coming!!!