Homemade Garlic Bread, Budget, Ingredients

$2.43 RECIPE / $0.20 SERVING

Anything with marinara sauce tastes better when accompanied by a piece of Crispy garlic bread with a soft middle to soak up the excess sauce.

So, as I was planning my Pesto Stuffed Shells this week, I considered picking up a box of garlic bread from the freezer section… after all, it’s just about $2 a box.

“Well, I can buy a HUGE loaf of fresh french bread for a dollar… can I make homemade garlic bread for less?” I wondered. Yes, absolutely!

WHAT BREAD IS THE BEST?

Every day, many grocery stores sell $1-$2 big loaves of Italian bread fresh from local bakeries. For garlic bread, I enjoy these somewhat larger and fluffy loaves because they soak up a lot of the buttery flavor.

If you don’t have French bread or a baguette, you can substitute. Just remember that baking time varies based on the density of your bread.

HOW TO FREEZE GARLIC BREAD MADE AT HOME

After putting the garlic butter mixture on your loaf, freeze it flat on a baking sheet until it’s solid, then store it in an airtight container.

It can then be baked right from the freezer, with only a few minutes added to the baking time. Alternatively, as in my Freezer Garlic Bread recipe, you can slice the bread before freezing it.

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE EXTRA DELICIOUS

Garlic bread is already amazing, but there are a few things you can add to it to make it even better. Here are a few suggestions:

• For a great umami punch and a slightly crispy top layer, incorporate a tablespoon or two of grated Parmesan into the garlic butter mixture.
• If you prefer extra melty cheese, top your garlic bread with a large handful of shredded mozzarella and you’ve got yourself some cheesy garlic bread.
• When making the garlic butter, try using flavored olive oil. Chili oil or oil with herbs would be fantastic!
• Add extra fresh herbs if desired. If you have a herb garden, add some fresh basil, oregano, or thyme to the garlic butter.
• Toss in some pesto. For a taste boost, add a spoonful of pesto (any flavor) to the garlic butter.
• Add some garlic powder to the garlic butter mixture in addition to the fresh garlic. Because the flavors of fresh garlic and garlic powder differ, you’ll receive an even stronger garlic flavor.

Make some homemade pizza sauce to dip your homemade garlic bread (or cheesy garlic bread) in!

HOMEMADE GARLIC BREAD

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the room temperature butter, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
2. Cut the bread into two 12″ long pieces, then lengthwise cut each piece. Place the bread cut side up on a baking pan. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on the bread’s open surfaces.
3. Bake the bread for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty around the edges. Serve the bread hot, and cut into 2-inch chunks.

NOTES

*After spreading the garlic butter over the bread, it can be frozen in gallon-sized freezer bags and baked at a later time. Although it may take a minute or two longer to brown, the bread can be baked straight from the freezer.

NUTRITION

• Serving: 1 Serving
• Calories: 183.9 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 24.83 g
• Protein: 5.22 g
• Fat: 7.24 g
• Sodium: 349.08 mg
• Fiber: 1.1 g

HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BREAD AT HOME – STEP BY STEP

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. 4 tablespoons room temperature butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl
2. Combine these items in a mixing bowl and stir until well blended.
3. Cut one big French bread (24 inches) into two 12-inch slices, then lengthwise cut each section apart. Place the bread slices, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Spread the garlic butter mixture all over the bread’s open surfaces.
4. Bake the garlic bread for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the edges, in a preheated oven.
5. Serve the bread in two-inch pieces.

Yaassssssss.  This bread will always be a favorite.