Cheesey Garlic Pull-It Bread
This bread is the perfect appetizer, takes only minutes to make, and is a real crowd pleaser. And dipped in Mezzetta Marinara, it is absolutely fantastic! Or you can serve it with something like Carbonara, Fettuccine Alfredo, or Bolognese Slow Cooker.
Cheezy Garlic Pull-It Bread
©Eazy Peazy Mealz by EazyPeazyMealz.com
Pin it to your (Board Type) board to SAVE it for later!
Follow Eazy Peazy Mealz on Pinterest for more great tips, ideas and recipes!
I grew up in a pasta eating family. It was not uncommon for our family to gather around the table around a huge pot of pasta, and a gigantic green salad. I remember years of practice going by where my dad would try to perfect his marinara. He would add a little sweetener, or strain the tomatoes one way or another. He would try this combo of spices, or that.
As a child, I recall loving every batch, and happily slurping down noodles. As an adult, all I can do is wonder where he found the time. Hahah. I love a good homemade pasta sauce as much as the next person, but I know to get the best flavors it takes time. Simmering time. Straining time. Seasoning time. And time is something I often find myself running short on.
That is why I love when I find a really good marinara from a bottle. The Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Marinara Pasta Sauce is a really good one. From the moment I popped the lid off the jar I could smell the tangy tomatoes, the combination of herbs and spices. I knew it would be the perfect dipping sauce for my cheesey garlic pull-it bread. And amazing on pasta as well.
This bread is so easy to make.
Start with Italian Round Bread
Start with a loaf of Italian Round Bread. I bought mine at my local supermarket in the deli section. But you could make it yourself if you wanted. You could also use a sour dough, or other variety. But I recommend something crusty! You could make this 7 minute crock pot bread and use it!
Then cut the top in a cross hatch. Cut deep. You are making pockets for the cheese and buttery-garlic to sit in. Mmmm Make sure you do not cut it all the way to the bottom though, as you want it to hold together as a loaf still.
Mix up your buttery garlic sauce by melting your butter, and stirring in the garlic, onion powder, and basil. Then spoon it into the cracks of the bread. You may need to use your fingertips to separate the bread pieces some to get it in there. It is okay if it runs over the top a little.
Now stuff mozzarella cheese down those cracks. Wrap it in foil, and bake! After you bake it for a while you will remove the foil to help crisp up the outside and get that cheese nice and melty.
Prepare your marinara dipping sauce, and get ready for amazing flavor in your mouth!
Tell me you don’t want to try this? Well go ahead, it is so easy to make!
Recipes that Pair Well With This Bread
- Italian Garden Salad
- Light Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Summer Fruit Salad
- Pasta E Fagioli Soup
- Raspberry Italian Soda
Cheesey Garlic Pull-It Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian Round Bread or other crusty bread variety
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/2 Tbs minced garlic
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 Tbs dried basil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Using a sharp knife, cut a cross hatch across the top of the bread, cutting it into pieces, but not cutting all the way to the bottom. You want to be able to pull each piece out, but have the bread hold together still.
- Melt butter, and mix in the garlic, onion powder, and dried basil
- Spoon the butter mixture into the cracks in the bread, distributing it evenly.
- Stuff each crack of the bread with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Wrap bread in foil
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes to make it crispy on top
- Serve with Marinara sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
Want to use this recipe in a meal plan?Try PrePear, my FREE Meal Planning App that allows you to save your recipes, plan meals, shop for groceries, and cook simply in one place. Join Here!
Angela says
I love this idea! Made me think of when I was younger and would sneak bread dunks in the pot of simmering sauce.
Rachael says
Thanks Angela!
marcie says
Homemade marinara does take time, and I love quality brands that I can use when I’m pressed for time! This one sounds amazing! And this bread is the perfect thing to dip in it!
Cathy Trochelman says
Oh YUM! We would devour this!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says
Looks fantastic and perfect with pasta!