Description
This Garlic Butter Tomato Cheese Bread is a deliciously savory and cheesy appetizer or snack, featuring a crispy rustic Italian bread base topped with garlic butter, fresh herbs, ripe heirloom tomatoes, and a melty blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Ready in just 25 minutes, it makes a perfect shareable treat for gatherings or a flavorful addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, divided
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives
- 2 teaspoons chopped basil
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf rustic Italian bread, halved lengthwise
- 3 medium heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to ensure it’s ready for baking the bread evenly and melting the cheese perfectly.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon of parsley, chives, and basil. Stir thoroughly with a spoon until all the ingredients are evenly mixed to create a flavorful garlic herb butter spread.
- Assemble the Bread: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both halves of the bread loaf. Arrange the thinly sliced heirloom tomatoes in a single, even layer on top of each half. Season the tomatoes with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance their natural flavor. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tomatoes, then top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Bread: Place the assembled bread halves on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the edges of the bread turn golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, let it cool slightly, then cut into slices. Serve immediately to enjoy the warm, melty cheese and garlic-herb flavors at their best.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter to ensure easy mixing and even spreading.
- Heirloom tomatoes add sweetness and acidity, but you can substitute with any ripe tomato if unavailable.
- For added flavor and texture, sprinkle red pepper flakes before baking if you like a little heat.
- This bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven but can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for a few minutes.
- You can use a gluten-free bread variety to make this recipe gluten-free if desired.
