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A simple recipe for Caprese Garlic Bread, the best garlic bread you will ever eat!
Garlic bread has always been a staple in our home. Growing up, my dad would make garlic bread to go with every Italian meal. My dad’s lasagna, spaghetti, and ravioli always had garlic bread on the side. Carb overload? Maybe, but I never complained.Now, every time I am make an Italian meal, I ask Josh if he wants garlic bread to go with. He says yes 100% of the time. I am glad he enjoys garlic bread as much as I do. And since we both eat it, it doesn’t matter if we have garlic breath:)
I love plain old garlic bread, but we recently gave the traditional garlic bread a makeover. We made Caprese Garlic Bread and let me tell you, this is the BEST garlic bread I have ever eaten. I am putting it in the top 10 recipes we have ever made…ok, maybe 20. I love a lot of our recipes:) This Caprese Garlic Bread is a winner. It deserves a gold medal for sure!
This garlic bread recipe has all of my favorite ingredients-bread, cheese, tomatoes, basil, and of course garlic and butter! We used Land O Lakes Butter in Half Sticks for this recipe. It is perfect because the recipe calls for four tablespoons, which is exactly one half stick! Perfect! No need to cut a stick of butter in half and have the other half get lost in the fridge.
We mixed together softened butter and minced garlic. Oh, what a glorious combination!
We spread the bread-hey, that rhymes, with the garlic butter.
We added slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and popped the bread into the oven. We baked the bread for about 15 minutes, until the cheese was melted and starting to brown on the edges.
We topped the bread with tomato slices, seasoned them with salt and pepper, and sprinkled fresh basil over the tomatoes.
Next, we added a drizzle of balsamic. We reduced the balsamic vinegar to give it a thicker texture and sweeter flavor.
And voila-Caprese Garlic Bread! The best garlic bread ever!!
We cut the bread into thick slices and devoured the loaf. It’s crusty, cheesy, garlicky, buttery, tomatoey, basily, and a tad bit vinegary. I think I just made up a bunch of words, but you’re with me, right? It’s super duper delicious!
If you are looking for an updated version of the classic garlic bread, make this Caprese Garlic Bread. It will change your life for the better. And it is perfect for summer! So fresh and tasty! We are going to be making this garlic bread all summer long. And don’t be worried about garlic breath, just make sure the person you are smoochin’ eats some too. I am sure you won’t have to twist their arm:)
Vegetarian
Garlic bread with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic! The best garlic bread you will ever eat!
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread horizontally cut in half
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 medium tomatoes sliced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place both sides of the baguette on a large baking sheet with the cut side up.
In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic and spread evenly on bread halves. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of the bread, making sure the cheese covers the bread completely. Bake the bread for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
While the bread is in the oven, make the balsamic reduction. Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring the vinegar to a boil, decrease the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about half. This should only take about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
Remove the bread from oven. Top the bread with tomato slices. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Cut into slices and serve.
Have you tried this recipe?
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Disclosure: this post is in partnership with Land O’ Lakes.
FAQs
Garlic Caprese Bread is slathered with luscious garlic butter and adorned with fresh sliced tomatoes, two delectable cheeses, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Baked to a crisp, golden perfection, it's the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish!
How long do you heat up garlic bread in the oven? ›
OVEN: Wrap leftover Garlic Bread in foil and place on a baking sheet – you can do this whether it's sliced or a whole loaf. If the bread is sliced, keep it in a single layer in the foil. Bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I leave garlic bread out overnight? ›
No, garlic bread that has been left out overnight is not safe for consumption. According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away [2].
Is caprese good for you? ›
Caprese salad is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
Why is caprese so good? ›
Caprese is truly a magical and perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and some kind of drizzle of either olive oil or balsamic… or both.
What is the difference between garlic bread and garlic toast? ›
Garlic bread (also called garlic toast) consists of bread (usually a baguette, sour dough, or bread such as ciabatta), topped with garlic and occasionally olive oil or butter and may include additional herbs, such as oregano or chives. It is then either grilled until toasted or baked in a conventional or bread oven.
What kind of bread is garlic bread made of? ›
Typically, garlic bread is made with breads that have a hard crust (e.g. French bread, ciabatta, baguette). Texas toast is made by spreading butter on both sides of a slide of bread and broiling or grilling it until it is light brown – sometimes garlic is added to the butter as well.
Is garlic salt or garlic powder better for garlic bread? ›
If you're reaching for a garlic product because you want garlic flavor, garlic powder is your best bet. If you're looking for a touch of bonus flavor in your recipes, garlic salt is a great substitute.
Why is my garlic bread hard? ›
Garlic bread will get hard in the fridge, which is why I will usually put it in the freezer so it maintains its integrity until we're ready to eat it again.
Is garlic bread healthy? ›
Garlic bread's benefits depend on the type of bread used to make it. Wheat garlic bread is loaded with healthy fibre and nutrients that regulate blood sugar levels and boost metabolism. Most garlic bread recipes are high in fat, but a few minor adjustments can make this tasty appetizer very healthy.
Leftovers. Baked garlic bread doesn't store well in the fridge, it's best to serve and consume it right after you take it out of the oven.
Can you eat 3 day old garlic bread? ›
Garlic bread is best stored at room temperature and wrapped in foil for a couple of days. If you want to store your garlic bread for longer than that, it is best to freeze it.
Can I cook garlic bread 2 days out of date? ›
In general, if the bread looks, smells, and tastes okay, it's often safe to eat a few days past the expiration date. However, always trust your senses and if you notice any mold, strange odor, or significant changes in texture, it's best to avoid eating it.
Can you eat garlic bread 3 days out of date? ›
Food can look and smell fine even after the use by date has passed, but the product will not be safe to eat. We can't see or smell the bugs that can cause food poisoning. Manufacturers are responsible for deciding whether to apply a use-by date or a best before date on their products.
What is a caprese sandwich made of? ›
Caprese Sandwich- a classic Italian sandwich made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil. To make the sandwich extra special, add pesto, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
What is Italian garlic bread made of? ›
Garlic bread is a tasty side made with Italian bread, garlic, butter, olive oil, cheese, and parsley, baked in the oven, and broiled for the last minute to ensure an ultra crispy golden top.
Why is it called caprese? ›
The salad is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. Two common stories about its origin include it being an homage to the Italian flag or "in the 20th century to appease the palates of vacationing royalty and important politicos".
Are caprese panini healthy? ›
Mozzarella is packed with protein, too. Traditional caprese doesn't have meat as a protein source, but the protein found in mozzarella will be enough to keep you feeling full and energized until your next meal.
