Ingredients
- 1 large loaf French or Italian bread
- 1 whole head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon salt, if needed
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ½ cup shredded mozzarella for cheesy garlic bread
How to Make It
Roast the garlic. Heat your oven to 400°F. Slice about ¼ inch off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil and roast for 35 to 45 minutes, until the cloves are very soft and golden.
Make the garlic butter. Let the garlic cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted cloves into a bowl. Mash them into a paste and mix with the softened butter, parsley, Parmesan and black pepper. Taste before adding extra salt.
Prepare the bread. Slice the loaf lengthwise and place it cut side up on a baking sheet. Spread the roasted garlic butter generously over the entire surface.
Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes. For a crisp, golden top, switch to broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes. Watch it closely because the butter and Parmesan can brown quickly.
Finish and serve. Sprinkle with a little extra Parmesan and fresh parsley, slice and serve immediately.
My favorite upgrade: Mix the roasted garlic with the butter while the garlic is still slightly warm, then add a small pinch of red pepper flakes and extra Parmesan. It gives it a steakhouse style garlic bread flavor.
