Easy Cheesy Texas Toast Recipe

There’s really nothing better than a cheesy slice of Texas toast to make an otherwise average pasta night extra special. All you have to do is slap some homemade garlic butter on thick slices of bread, then add the cheese. Pop them in the oven, and they come out crispy, golden, and bubbly like something out of your favorite Italian restaurant.

I think the best thing about this recipe is that it takes standard, everyday grocery store ingredients and makes them into a mouth-watering dish that’s worth fighting over. It completely saves you from having to use those boxed garlic breads that you buy at the supermarket, which always leave something to be desired. And you can make it in a flash, in time to serve right alongside your main course.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love the texture of this bread. It is crisp and crunchy on the outside, but still soft on the inside under a layer of melted cheese. It’s a great option for those nights when you’re in a rush to get a spaghetti dinner on the table, but still want to offer up something hearty and satisfying to fill you up. The thick slices of bread don’t fall apart, and stay nicely plump and substantial.

I think the best thing about making this bread is the hassle-free cleanup. There’s no greasy baking sheet to scrub, because everything can be baked on a single sheet of parchment paper. It’s so much easier than getting your kitchen filthy, then having to deal with the aftermath. You can relax, grab a bowl of pasta, and eat.

What You Need

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious crispy side dish: Texas toast bread, softened butter, garlic powder, shredded mozzarella cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Texas Toast Bread

Since you’ll be putting lots of stuff on top of the bread, you’ll want to make sure it’s able to hold up under the load. The pre-sliced thick cut Texas toast bread will do just that. It soaks up the garlic butter, yet remains crispy on the outside. If you can’t find Texas toast, you can use a thick cut loaf of French or brioche bread.

Softened Butter

Begin with butter at room temperature. The softened butter allows it to be easily spread on the soft bread without tearing it. It also adds a nice layer of fat to keep the toast moist and flavorful, preventing the garlic flavor from soaking in too deeply. If you don’t have time to take the butter out of the fridge ahead of time, olive oil and a pinch of salt will work perfectly well.

Mozzarella Cheese

Freshly grated mozzarella cheese melts perfectly on the garlic bread and gives you the gooey, stretchy cheese that you crave. It’s worth taking an extra minute to grate a block of mozzarella rather than using pre-grated cheese from the bag because you’ll get a creamier result. For an extra sharp flavor, use provolone instead of mozzarella or add a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

How to Make It

Follow these simple steps to get this bubbling, cheesy garlic bread ready in just a few minutes.

Mix the Garlic Butter

First, mix the garlic butter. Take a small mixing bowl and mix together the softened butter and garlic powder. You want the garlic butter to be super soft so it spreads easily on top of the bread.

Prep the Bread

Next, add the bread to the baking sheet. Lay down the thick slices of Texas toast on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Then, use a butter knife to spread a nice layer of the garlic butter mixture onto the bread.

Top with Cheese

Then, add the cheese. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top of the buttered bread. Aim to pile it slightly more towards the center of the bread so that it doesn’t completely melt off the sides and onto the pan.

Bake to Perfection

Next, bake the garlic bread. Bake the bread in a 400°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. You want the bread to be nicely browned around the edges and the cheese to be melted and bubbly.

Cool and Serve

Finally, cool and serve. Take the bread out of the oven and let it cool for about two minutes before serving so the cheese has time to set up. Add a little bit of fresh parsley to the top for garnish, if you’d like, and enjoy!

My Best Tips

Be sure to preheat your oven before you put the garlic bread in to avoid sogginess. The initial burst of heat will crisp up the bottom of the bread before the butter melts all the way through.

If you like your cheese really browned and crispy, broil the bread for the final minute of cooking. Pay close attention when baking as the cheese will turn from deliciously golden to completely charred in just a few seconds.

Don’t be afraid to make these cheesy slices your own by tossing a dash of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes into the butter mixture. The flavors are amazing, and even a touch of these herbs and spices can elevate a simple side dish to the point where it tastes like a restaurant creation.

Storage and Reheating

• Store: Wrap any leftover cooled toast in foil or an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Lay the unbaked and assembled cheese toasts on a baking sheet and flash freeze, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: To reheat leftover baked toast, warm in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes to bring back that crispy goodness.

Serving Suggestions

• A huge bowl of spaghetti with meatballs made from scratch.
• A bowl of tomato basil soup for dipping those cheesy edges.
• A caesar salad with croutons and pepper.
• A hearty casserole of baked ziti with lots of mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use garlic salt instead of garlic powder?

You can use garlic salt, just make sure to use unsalted butter because otherwise your garlic bread will be super salty!

Can I make this in an air fryer?

Yes, you can! Simply put your unbaked slices in an air fryer basket and cook them at 350°F for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bread is toasted.