Golden, bubbly cheese on top with soft, buttery, garlicky bread inside—this cheesy loaf is perfect with pasta, soup, or as a party snack with dipping sauce.
Servings
6–8
Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Bake: 25–35 minutes
- Total: 40–50 minutes
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 lb (450 g) pizza dough or bread dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 tbsp (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (optional for extra flavor)
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)
Optional for serving
- Marinara sauce, ranch, or garlic dip
Instructions
- Preheat oven
Preheat to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment (optional but helpful). - Make garlic butter
In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and Italian seasoning. - Prepare the dough pieces
Cut dough into 10–12 equal pieces (about golf-ball size).
Dip each piece in garlic butter, then place in the loaf pan, slightly overlapping. - Layer cheese
Sprinkle mozzarella (and cheddar/Parmesan if using) between layers and finish with a generous layer on top. - Bake
Bake for 25–35 minutes, until the loaf is deeply golden and cooked through.
If the top browns too fast, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes. - Rest and serve
Let rest 5–10 minutes, then pull apart or slice. Serve warm with dipping sauce.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Loaf
- Don’t overfill the pan—leave a little room for the dough to rise.
- For extra flavor, add chili flakes, bacon bits, or jalapeños between layers.
- Best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the oven at 175°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes.