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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
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.
How do you soften garlic bread? ›
Microwave: While this method may not produce the same level of crispiness as the other two, it can still be a quick and easy option. Place the garlic bread on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 15 to 20 seconds, or until the bread is warm and soft.
How are you supposed to eat caprese? ›
It stays fresher and it's really easy to use a fork to break your portion up into bite size pieces. Or just eat it with your hands! Another way to serve a Caprese style salad is to chop everything into bite-size pieces, toss with the olive oil and vinegar, and serve over a bed of lettuce or as a chilled pasta salad.
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? ›
Everyone loves this colorful combination and it's easy to see why in its artful balance of flavors: creamy, milky mozzarella takes on the tomato's acidity and the sweetly herbaceous basil, where the extra virgin olive oil adds a mild fruitiness that brings it all together. It's like they were made for each other!
Is garlic bread good for health? ›
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.
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 does garlic bread do for your body? ›
It contains antioxidants that support heart health and may help combat cancer. The herb also has antimicrobial properties, which explains why garlic seems to boost immunity. So far, so good. When garlic is mixed with bread, however, that health halo begins to tarnish.
Why is my garlic bread not crispy? ›
Additionally, make sure your garlic bread is toasted fairly quickly and at a high enough temperature. If it is toasted at a much lower temperature or sits for a longer time afterwards, it is more likely to melt and puddle and soak the butter into the bread before it finishes toasting.
Can you leave garlic bread out overnight? ›
Leaving garlic bread (or any perishable food) out at room temperature for an extended period, such as overnight, increases the risk of bacterial growth and potential foodborne illness. Bacteria can multiply rapidly in perishable foods like garlic bread when left unrefrigerated for an extended time.
Storage. Garlic Bread is best stored at room temperature – no need to refrigerate. In fact, refrigeration is not recommended, as the bread can dry out quickly and become crusty and even stale. If you need to store the bread for an extended period of time, then freeze instead of refrigerate to preserve its integrity.
Which tomato is best for caprese? ›
When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.
What basil is best for caprese? ›
Genovese Basil
Also called sweet basil or sweet Genovese, this is the most common variety and what you'll find in those plastic packages at the supermarket. The oval-shaped leaves are about 2-3 inches long and have a strong aroma and peppery flavor. This is the classic choice for pesto, Caprese salad, and pizza.
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".
What bread is garlic bread made of? ›
This is a versatile recipe, as readily made with thin baguettes, as it is with rustic sourdoughs and airy Italian loaves. Cutting the bread like a Hasselback potato keeps the butter from seeping out and allows the garlic to infuse the bread with its flavor without scorching.
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.
