Garlic Country Bread Recipe

Prepare loaf

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the country loaf into 8 very thick slices (about 1 inch/2.5 cm). Arrange slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment with a little space between them.

Once topped (see steps below), bake until cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges of bread are crisp, about 10–12 minutes. If you want more browned cheese, finish under a hot broiler for 1–2 minutes—watch carefully.

Roast garlic

If you don't have pre-roasted garlic: preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top 1/4 off each garlic head to expose cloves, place on foil, drizzle with 1 tbs olive oil, season lightly with salt, wrap tightly and roast 35–40 minutes until cloves are soft and caramelized. Let cool slightly, then squeeze roasted cloves from skins into a small bowl.

Make garlic butter

In a bowl, mash the roasted garlic into the softened butter with a fork until smooth. Stir in 1 tbs olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. The butter should be spreadable but flavorful; if too soft refrigerate briefly to firm up.

Spread about 1 tablespoon of roasted garlic butter over the cut side of each bread slice, covering edge to edge. Reserve a little butter for finishing if desired.

Make quick marinara

In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 tsp minced garlic and cook 20–30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown). Add crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes (if using), 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently 8–10 minutes to concentrate flavors. Stir in chopped basil at the end. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Spoon about 1–2 tablespoons of warm marinara onto each buttered bread slice, spreading lightly but leaving some buttered bread exposed around edges for crisping.

Top each marinara-dressed slice evenly with raclette cheese, using about 1.25 oz (35 g) per slice so the cheese covers the surface and overlaps a little at the edges. If you like extra cheesiness, add more.

Optional: sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon grated Parmesan over each slice for an extra savory finish.

Bake the assembled slices on the prepared baking sheet in the preheated 400°F oven for 10–12 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and begins to brown and bread edges are crisp.

Remove from oven. If desired, squeeze a little fresh lemon over each slice to brighten flavors, then garnish with chopped parsley and a small extra dab of roasted garlic butter reserved earlier.

Serve immediately with extra marinara on the side for dipping and lemon wedges.