Cheesy Bread: What's The Secret Cheese?

There are many types of cheese that can be used to make cheesy bread, including cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and Colby Jack. Cheesy bread can be made with a variety of different cheeses, and the type of cheese used can significantly impact the flavor and texture of the final product. For example, mozzarella and parmesan create a gooey, stringy texture, while cheddar provides a sharper flavor. Cheesy bread is a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, side, or even a meal, and it can be paired with various dishes, such as pasta, soup, or salad.

Mozzarella and Parmesan

The Role of Each Cheese

Mozzarella is the star when it comes to creating the perfect, stretchy cheese pull. It melts easily and has a mild, creamy flavour that complements the other ingredients without overwhelming them. Parmesan, on the other hand, contributes a sharper, saltier note that enhances the overall taste experience. It also adds a bit of texture and depth to the dish.

Preparation and Cooking

When preparing cheesy bread with mozzarella and parmesan, it is recommended to shred or grate the cheeses yourself from a block. This ensures better melting and a superior taste compared to pre-shredded options. Freshly grated parmesan, in particular, is known for its richer flavour.

To make the cheesy bread, start by creating a garlic butter mixture. Combine softened butter with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Then, slice a loaf of Italian or French bread in half lengthwise and spread the garlic butter mixture onto the cut sides.

The next step is to sprinkle the bread with the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. You can also add other toppings at this stage, such as cooked bacon or pepperoni slices, for an extra layer of flavour. Finally, bake the bread in the oven at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture and spread it over the bread. Wrap the bread in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. However, for the best texture, it is recommended to bake the bread just before serving.

Leftovers of cheesy garlic bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or bag for up to 2-3 days. Alternatively, you can wrap the bread tightly in aluminium foil and store it in the refrigerator for the same duration. Reheat covered in foil in the oven until hot before enjoying.

If you want to freeze the cheesy garlic bread, it is recommended to prepare the bread as directed, spread the garlic butter mixture over it, and then wrap it tightly in foil and plastic wrap. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, either bake the bread from frozen by adding 10 minutes to the baking time or thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Customisation and Variations

While mozzarella and parmesan create a delicious combination, you can also experiment with other cheeses. For a sharper flavour, you can try cheddar or a mix of mozzarella and cheddar. If you want to impress cheese aficionados, you can use Parmigiano Reggiano, a more refined and expensive version of Parmesan.

In addition to cheese variations, you can also customise the type of bread used. The ideal bread for cheese garlic bread has a crusty exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Options such as crusty sourdough, ciabatta, challah, or Italian bread would all work well. You can also get creative with toppings, adding meats, herbs, or a surprise ingredient like red pepper flakes for a secret kick of heat.

Cheddar and herbs

Ingredients

• 6 1/2 cups (794 g) unbleached bread flour (can use all-purpose flour)
• 2 teaspoons (14 g) fine salt
• 5 Tablespoons (64 g) white sugar (or 5 Tbsp brown sugar or 3 1/2 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar)
• 1 cup (227 g) lukewarm water (for even softer bread, use 1 cup water leftover from boiling potatoes, cooled)
• 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons (255 g) milk or buttermilk, lukewarm
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons (14 g) instant yeast (can also use active dry yeast)
• 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted (or the same amount of vegetable/canola oil)
• 2 cups (340 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) minced fresh herbs (parsley and chives are good choices) or a heaping tablespoon of dried herbs

Method

• In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, salt and sugar. (Tip: If measuring your flour in cups, without a scale, hold back 1 cup of the flour, to add as needed later, as needed). If you're using honey or agave, add with the liquid ingredients instead.
• In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the water and buttermilk and whisk in the yeast until dissolved. Add this mixture, along with the melted butter, to the dry ingredients. Mix by hand or with a dough hook, until the mixture is combined, about 2 minutes. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
• Continue mixing the dough, adding more flour in very small increments, as needed, until the dough becomes soft, smooth and tacky, but not sticky.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes, adding more flour only if the dough is sticking to your hands or the work surface, then form dough into a ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and either refrigerate for up to 4 days, or allow to sit at room temperature until doubled in size (about 60-90 minutes). (*Tip: I like to use an 8-cup glass measuring cup, so it's easy to see when it's doubled by the markings).
• Grease two 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pans and set aside.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces. Dust each with a bit of flour and then, using a rolling pin, roll into a rectangle approximately 10 inches wide and 16 inches long.
• Spread the shredded cheddar and herbs evenly over the surface of the dough. Starting with the shortest side, roll the dough up jelly-roll style and pinch the seam together.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the roll of dough down the centre, lengthwise. Rotate each piece so that the cut sides are facing upward and place them side-by-side. Pinch together the farthest end. Keeping the cut sides facing upwards as much as possible, place the right-side piece over the left-side piece. Straighten it up and then repeat, pinching together the end closest to you. If any cheese escapes, just place it back on top. Using a bench scraper or spatula, carefully lift the dough into the greased loaf pan.
• Cover with a greased piece of plastic wrap and allow to rise until the dough rises to about 1-inch above the side of the pan in the middle.
• Preheat oven to 350° F. (not fan-assisted). Bake for 45-50 minutes total, but after 25 minutes of baking, rotate pans front-to-back in the oven and loosely cover with a piece of aluminum foil if necessary (if bread is already well-browned), to prevent the top from over-browning. Bread should reach about 185° internal temperature in the centre.
• Remove the bread from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for a couple of minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the bread and carefully remove the loaves to a cooling rack. Allow the loaves to cool for 1 hour before slicing.

Parmesan, garlic, and herbs

Ingredients

• Bread: French or Italian bread works best.
• Butter: Go for salted or unsalted, depending on your preference.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
• Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, rosemary, basil, and oregano add a burst of flavor.
• Cheese: Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese are a classic combination, but you can also add Colby Jack or Cheddar for extra sharpness.

Instructions

• Preheat your oven: Aim for a temperature between 375°F and 400°F.
• Prepare the bread: Slice the bread in half lengthwise. If you want to get fancy, you can also cut it into smaller pieces or slices.
• Make the garlic butter: In a bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, herbs, and (optionally) some shredded cheese. Spread this delicious mixture over the bread.
• Add more cheese: Sprinkle Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese on top of the garlic butter.
• Bake: Pop the bread into the oven for 10-20 minutes, keeping an eye on it to make sure the cheese melts and becomes bubbly. If you like your bread extra crispy, broil it for the last 1-2 minutes.
• Garnish: Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and extra flavor.
• Serve: Enjoy your warm, cheesy garlic bread as a side dish or appetizer. It goes perfectly with pasta, soup, or salad.

Colby Jack and mozzarella

Cheesy bread is a delightful treat, and Colby Jack and mozzarella are excellent choices for this dish. Here are some tips and instructions to help you create the perfect cheesy bread using these two cheeses:

Choosing the Right Bread

For the best results, opt for a loaf of French bread from your local bakery or grocery store. French bread has the ideal balance of a crispy, crusty exterior and a soft, absorbent interior that can withstand the weight of the cheese and other toppings. If you can't find French bread, Italian bread is a suitable alternative. Avoid using regular bread, as it won't hold up to the toppings.

Preparing the Bread

Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. This will give you two long pieces with the interior cut side exposed, which is perfect for loading up with cheese and other toppings. If the top half is wobbly and won't sit flat on your baking sheet, carefully shave off the uneven part with a knife so that it lays flat. This step is important to ensure that your toppings don't slide off during baking.

Creating the Cheese Topping

In a small bowl, combine softened butter, garlic powder, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients to suit your taste preferences. For a more robust garlic flavour, use fresh, minced garlic cloves instead of garlic powder. Spread this mixture evenly on each side of the garlic bread.

Now, it's time to add the stars of the show – the Colby Jack and mozzarella cheeses! Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Colby Jack cheese on top of the butter and garlic mixture. Follow this with an equally generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. The combination of these two cheeses will create a delicious, gooey, and slightly sharp flavour.

Baking the Cheesy Bread

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the prepared cheesy bread on a baking sheet and bake it in the oven for 12-15 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. You can also broil the top for an additional 1-2 minutes to create a crispier, golden finish.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy bread is best served warm, straight out of the oven. It pairs perfectly with Italian dishes such as spaghetti, chicken parmesan, or a classic baked pasta. You can also dip it in marinara sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for an extra indulgent treat. Enjoy!

Scallions, mayo, and sugar

Scallions, also known as green onions, are a popular ingredient in cheesy garlic bread. They add a savoury kick to the dish and are often mixed with the cheese and mayonnaise, or spread directly onto the bread.

Mayonnaise is another key ingredient in cheesy garlic bread. It is mixed with the cheese and spread over the bread, adding a creamy texture and helping the bread to toast.

Sugar is also added to cheesy garlic bread, though in smaller quantities. It helps to balance the salty, garlicky flavours and enhances the savouriness of the scallions.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Italian bread
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2 medium scallions, thinly sliced
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 ounces low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 425ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
• Cut the Italian bread in half horizontally, then halve each piece crosswise to create four pieces. Place the pieces cut-side up on the baking sheet.
• Thinly slice the scallions, reserving 1 tablespoon of the dark green parts for garnish.
• Add the remaining scallions to a bowl with the butter, garlic, mayonnaise, garlic powder, sugar, and salt. Smash and stir until combined into a spreadable paste.
• Spread the garlic butter evenly onto the cut side of the bread.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the garlic bread.
• Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned in spots.
• Garnish with the reserved scallions and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions