Pull-Apart Cheese Bread with Garlic, Parsley, and Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Pull-apart cheese bread is a delightful appetizer perfect for sharing. Crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, this easy-to-make treat will become a favorite at any gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf crusty bread (sourdough or Italian)
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce for dipping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Use a sharp, serrated knife to cut the loaf of bread diagonally into 1-inch slices, making sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom. Then, turn the loaf a quarter turn and slice again to create a diamond grid pattern. Place the loaf on a piece of foil on a baking sheet.
3. Step 3: Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the garlic powder. Use a pastry brush to coat the inside of the bread slices with the melted garlic butter, stuffing the cracks with shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley.
4. Step 4: Wrap the loaf in foil and place it on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, then unwrap the top of the loaf and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning into the cheese mixture.
• Try different cheeses like cheddar or provolone for a unique twist.
• Use fresh garlic minced into the butter instead of garlic powder for a stronger garlic taste.

Storage

Store leftovers wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use any type of bread for this recipe?

It’s best to use a sturdy crusty bread like sourdough or Italian bread that can hold the cheese and butter without falling apart.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the bread with butter and cheese, then wrap and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Pull-Apart Cheese Bread with Garlic, Parsley, and Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 591 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This Pull-Apart Cheese Bread is a delicious and easy appetizer featuring a crusty loaf of bread sliced into a diamond pattern, generously stuffed with melted mozzarella, parmesan cheese, garlic butter, and parsley. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s perfect for sharing and dipping into marinara sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread and Butter

• 1 loaf crusty bread (sourdough or Italian)
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

Cheese and Herbs

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Dipping Sauce

• 1 cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce for dipping)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the bread evenly.
2. Slice the Bread: Use a sharp serrated knife to make diagonal cuts about 1-inch apart along the loaf, slicing almost but not completely through the bottom crust. Rotate the bread 90 degrees and make diagonal cuts again to form a diamond grid pattern, allowing for easy pull-apart pieces.
3. Prepare Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the garlic powder until well combined to create a flavorful garlic butter mixture.
4. Stuff the Bread: Place the loaf on a piece of foil on a baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the inside cuts of the bread with the garlic butter. Stuff the cracks with shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan, and chopped parsley, ensuring the cheese fills the crevices evenly.
5. Wrap and Bake: Wrap the entire loaf loosely in foil to keep it moist and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
6. Finish Baking: Unwrap the top of the foil to expose the bread, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the top is golden and slightly crispy.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with warm marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

• Use a serrated knife for easier and cleaner cuts in the bread loaf.
• You can substitute parsley with fresh basil or oregano for a different herb flavor.
• For extra cheesiness, add more shredded mozzarella between the slices.
• Serve the bread warm to enjoy the melted cheese and garlic butter at their best.
• Leftovers can be reheated wrapped in foil at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: pull-apart bread, cheese bread, garlic bread, appetizer, party snack, melted cheese, easy recipe