Garlic Pizza Bread Cheese Recipe
Classic garlic pizza bread with mozzarella cheese
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Ingredients
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Dough / Bread base
Garlic butter
Cheese & topping
Finishing
Method
Dough / Bread base
Prepare oven and dough
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). If using store-bought pizza dough, let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes to relax. If using a loaf of French or Italian bread, slice the loaf in half lengthwise (or into 1-inch thick slices for pull-apart style) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
If using pizza dough, lightly flour a work surface, roll or stretch the dough into a roughly 10x12 inch rectangle (or size to fit your baking sheet). Transfer dough to the prepared baking sheet or a pizza stone dusted with cornmeal.
Garlic butter
Make garlic butter
In a small saucepan over low heat (or in a microwave-safe bowl), melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the olive oil, then add the finely minced garlic. Cook gently for 1 minute off direct heat (or microwave 20–30 seconds) — you want the garlic aromatic but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
Reserve 1 tablespoon of the garlic butter for brushing the crust after baking.
Cheese & topping
Assemble pizza bread
Brush the prepared dough or bread surface generously with the garlic butter, leaving a small border for the crust (if using dough). Make sure minced garlic pieces are distributed evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the buttered surface. Follow with the grated Parmesan and a light dusting of dried oregano.
If using fresh basil, tuck torn leaves under the cheese or scatter on top partway through baking (optional to preserve freshness).
Bake & finish
Bake
Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 10–14 minutes for a thin dough or prebaked loaf halves; if using thicker dough, bake 12–18 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and just beginning to brown, and the crust is golden.
Finish and serve
Remove from the oven. Immediately brush the reserved tablespoon of garlic butter along the crust edges and lightly brush the top with 1 tsp olive oil if desired. Sprinkle the flaky sea salt over the crust, and scatter remaining fresh basil leaves on top if using. Let rest 2–3 minutes, then slice into portions and serve warm.