The Best Garlic Bread

Elevate your bread game with The Best Garlic Bread, a simple yet incredibly flavorful treat that perfectly complements any meal. This recipe uses a delightful mixture of olive oil and butter, infused with minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, to create a fragrant and mouthwatering spread. Instead of spreading the butter mixture onto the bread, this method allows you to dip the bread directly into the aromatic mix, ensuring an even coating without any hassle. With just 10 minutes of baking time, this garlic bread emerges warm, toasty, and bubbling with deliciousness. It’s the ideal accompaniment to pasta dishes or any meal that calls for a side of warm and garlicky goodness.

Serves: 8 to 10

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 loaves soft deli-style Italian bread, about 1 pound each
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 12 medium cloves garlic, minced or grated on a Microplane (about ¼ cup)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) and adjust the oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions.
2. Split each loaf of Italian bread lengthwise, and then crosswise into 8 pieces.
3. In a 12-inch skillet, combine the olive oil and butter. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the butter melts. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes to the skillet, and cook, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant (about 1 minute). Remove the skillet from the heat.
4. Dip the cut side of each piece of bread into the garlic butter mixture, ensuring an even coating. Arrange the coated bread pieces on two foil-lined rimmed baking sheets. Spoon any extra garlic butter evenly over the bread. Season with kosher salt to taste. If desired, grate the Parmigiano-Reggiano evenly over the pieces of bread using a Microplane.
5. Place the baking sheets with the bread into the preheated oven and bake until the bread becomes toasted and the butter is bubbling (about 10 minutes).
6. If desired, sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the garlic bread.
7. Serve The Best Garlic Bread immediately while warm and delicious.

Experience the divine flavors of The Best Garlic Bread as you savor the warm, aromatic, and buttery goodness with every bite. This flavorful bread is the perfect side dish for pasta, soups, or any meal that calls for a touch of garlic-infused perfection. Share this delightful treat with family and friends, and let them relish in the joy of this mouthwatering addition to any dinner table. Quick to make and even quicker to disappear, this garlic bread is sure to become a beloved favorite for any occasion. Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of this classic garlic bread recipe. Buon appetito!