French Onion Garlic Bread takes our classic dinnertime bread and turns it up a notch. Sweet and savory caramelized onions are spread on top of butter and garlic-laden bread alongside a thick blanket of cheese, creating the ultimate comforting carb.
French onion soup is where we commonly see caramelized onions, but they’re a great component to add to a variety of savory recipes. Here, they act as an additional layer to the cheesy garlic bread.
The hardest thing about this garlic bread is letting the onions break down and get the needed caramelized color and tender texture. Once they do, the recipe becomes super speedy. The garlic, alongside some herbs, gets added to the caramelized onions and cooks for a minute or so; this will cut the raw garlic taste, and it’ll open up or bloom the flavors of the dried herbs and spices.
Softened butter is spread on top of the bread, and then the onion layer is evenly distributed. The final layer, a thick coating of mozzarella cheese, is the final layer before the bread bakes in the oven.
When the cheese is golden and bubbling, you’ll know that it’s done baking.
French Onion Garlic Bread is a symphony of complex, savory, and satisfying ingredients. The butter and garlic are there, but the caramelized onions add an extra level of earthy, savory satisfaction that elevates garlic bread to a new level. Mozzarella is both crispy and melty, giving you a satisfying cheese pull.
It’s the perfect side to baked ziti or chicken parmigiana, but it’ll definitely take the dinner table’s attention.
French Onion Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided and softened
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 French or Italian loaf, split in half
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Preparation
- In a pan add 3 tablespoons butter alongside the sliced onions. Add salt and cook on a medium-low heat until the onions are softened and golden in color around 25 minutes.
- Add Worcestershire, dried Italian seasoning, pepper flakes, garlic, salt and pepper, cooking until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 to 50 seconds.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the sliced loaf, inside part facing up, and spread the remaining 9 tablespoons of butter onto the bread.
- Evenly distribute the onion mixture on top followed by the cheese.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the bread is crisped up and the cheese is bubbling and melted. Slice and serve immediately, enjoy!
Recipe adapted from The Naughty Fork and The Kitchn.