This isn’t your average cheesy garlic bread recipe! It’s made with a surprising ingredient that makes it the creamiest loaf to ever hit your lips. It’s perfect for snacking or serving alongside your favorite pasta. Serve it as a side dish to my go-to one-pot pasta for the ultimate family-friendly dinner.
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If you’ve been with me here since Day 1 (way back in 2008!), you’ll know that my mom, Noni, is the inspiration behind everything I do, both as a chef and as a mom.
This recipe is just another one of her creations that transforms an ordinary dish into something so spectacular you wonder why you ever made garlic bread any other way to begin with.
This cheesy garlic bread is made with a secret ingredient that’s the key to the creaminess… mayonnaise! And it’s no secret how I feel about secret ingredients in recipes–I dedicated an entire cookbook to them, The Secret Ingredient Cookbook.
Why You’ll Love It
Trust me, once you try cheesy garlic made with mayonnaise, you’ll never go back. What’s to love:
- It’s made with just 7 ingredients.
- Less than 10 minutes bake time.
- Creamy and velvety, thanks to the addition of mayo.
- Achieve the perfect cheese pull with the ideal combination of cheeses.
- The perfect balance of crispy edges and pillowy softness.
What Readers Are Saying
It may seem strange, but this cheesy garlic bread with mayo has been a reader favorite since I originally shared it back in 2011. Here’s what readers love about this recipe:
“So good. So so good!!!! Just made lasagna and this bread. My husband and son never eat the bread and they devoured this. I had to buy mayo as I don’t eat it nor do I keep it in the house but it has just become a staple. Yummmmmo. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ” – Laura
“This is the best garlic bread! The mayonnaise adds an additional creaminess to every bite that can’t be beat. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ” – Jane
- Unsalted butter: The foundation of our garlic butter spread. Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Shredded Asiago and Monterey Jack cheeses: Opt for freshly shredded cheese when possible. It melts more smoothly and avoids the anti-caking agents present in pre-shredded varieties.
- Mayonnaise: The secret ingredient! Mayo brings a velvety texture and a hint of tanginess to the garlic butter mix.
- Scallions: These vibrant green onions provide a mild, fresh bite. Include the green tops for a pop of color.
- Garlic: For an intense garlic flavor, finely mince the garlic cloves. If you’re a garlic enthusiast, feel free to add more!
- French bread: Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside – it’s the ultimate garlic bread vessel.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Say goodbye to ordinary garlic bread – this one’s a game-changer and it’s incredibly easy to whip up. Simply make the cheesy garlic butter, slather it on your bread and bake. Here’s a closer look at each step, plus tips for success:
- Make the cheesy garlic butter. For easier mixing, ensure the butter is softened but not melted. It helps in achieving a smooth and well-incorporated cheese spread.
- Slice the French loaf. Use a serrated knife for a clean cut through the bread. If the loaf is very soft, placing it in the freezer for a few minutes can make slicing easier.
- Spread the garlic butter on each half. Spread it all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Bake, then broil. Keep a close eye on the broiling process; it happens quickly. Aim for a beautiful golden brown color to achieve the perfect balance of crispiness and gooeyness.
- Cut it into slices and serve. Use a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion to ensure clean slices without squishing the soft interior.
Pro Tip: Serve your mayo garlic bread with a side of marinara sauce, garlic-infused olive oil or buttermilk ranch dressing for the ultimate dipping experience.
- I like to use a fresh 1lb. loaf of French bread from the bakery section of my grocery store. It’s sturdy enough to hold up to the cheesy garlic butter spread yet still has that pillowy soft interior.
- Lightly grease the baking sheet or use parchment paper to prevent the cheesy mixture from sticking to the pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Adjust the amount of minced garlic based on your preference. For a milder flavor, use less; for a stronger kick, feel free to increase the quantity.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use the oven or toaster oven for a better texture than the microwave.
I love pairing this cheesy garlic bread with any of my go-to pasta dishes or serving it next to a big kale Caesar salad. Or, serve it alongside other crowd-pleasing appetizers and watch it disappear faster than you can say “cheese.”
The best meals that go with garlic bread:
- Baked Boursin Cheese Pasta
- Pepperoni Pizza Pasta – the garlicky goodness of this cheesy bread is the perfect companion to the zesty pepperoni and melted cheese in this pasta
- The Best Homemade Lasagna
- Caprese Pasta Salad with Chicken
- Baked Feta Pasta
- Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup – dipping and dunking into this creamy soup elevates the classic pairing of tomato and cheese to a new level of comfort
- Cheesy Baked Penne with Sausage
- Quick Bruschetta Chicken – the garlic-infused bread provides a crunchy contrast to the juicy chicken
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Common Questions
Absolutely! I recommend choosing cheeses that melt easily, such as Parmesan, mozzarella or cheddar. Experiment with your favorite combinations to create a personalized cheesy experience.
Yes, you can substitute garlic powder. However, using fresh garlic provides a more robust flavor.
You can replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a similar creamy texture.
Absolutely! Prepare the bread ahead, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. Bake it just before serving for the best results.
Sure! Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite herbs or spices to enhance the flavor.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup shredded Asiago cheese
- 2/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 loaf French bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a bowl, combine the softened butter, Asiago cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, mayonnaise, sliced scallions and minced garlic. Stir until combined.
- Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise then spread both sides with the cheese mixture.
- Bake the bread for 7 minutes then place it under the broiler just until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Cut it into slices and serve.
Kelly’s Notes
- I like to use a fresh 1lb. loaf of French bread from the bakery section of my grocery store. It’s sturdy enough to hold up to the cheesy garlic butter spread yet still has that pillowy soft interior.
- Lightly grease the baking sheet or use parchment paper to prevent the cheesy mixture from sticking to the pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Adjust the amount of minced garlic based on your preference. For a milder flavor, use less; for a stronger kick, feel free to increase the quantity.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use the oven or toaster oven for a better texture than the microwave.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
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Recipe adapted from The Los Angeles Times.
Don’t know why my star rating didn’t show.
My husband and picky youngest son went nuts over this recipe! My son came begging me the next day for leftovers (fortunately there were some!) This is something special! I have literally never tasted anything so good, and I have tried a lot of these kind of recipes! And you can make the cheese spread earlier in the day and just whisk the bread into the oven at dinner time! So non-stress! Thanks Just A Taste!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Elizabeth!
Best garlic bread everrrr.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Jennifer!
Delicious both stuffed and not
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Dana!
Love this recipe! How long could I keep the mayo cheese mixture as I didn’t use all of it on the bread. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Kris! The mayo cheese mixture should last 3 to 5 days in the fridge!
Best garlic bread I’ve ever tasted, does not need any tweaking
Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Ric!
So the secret ingredient is Garlic. Am I right LOL.
Mayo! :)
Delicious
We made this recipe; Secret Ingredient Cheesy Garlic Bread to go along with a meal we made. I would like to say this was very, very good! I do have one comment to ask though. In the INSTRUCTIONS portion of the recipe it says; Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise then spread both SIDES with the cheese mixture…to which we did probably because we sliced the loaf into a couple of individual slices. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say BOTH HALVES. Just a suggestion…non-the-less as I commented ‘We enjoyed the recipe as it was very good’.
Thank you for your recipes because we find them good, tasty and delicious!
Thanks for your note, David! So glad you loved the recipe!
Can you make it, slice it, then freeze it?
Hi Paula – I haven’t tried that so I’m not sure what the resulting taste/texture would be like. Would love to hear your results if you give it a shot!
Made it again but this time I only had a Mexican cheese blend on hand. It was soooo good with a little Mexican oregano and peperoncinis!
YUM! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the cheesy garlic bread, Casey!
Our go to recipe for garlic bread. We make it now without really measuring, add dried Italian Herbs, more garlic and use more traditional Italian cheeses to include Pecorino Romano. Best part is you can make a large batch and refrigerate spread for quick assembly of small portions baked in a toaster oven (son’s motivation for making it).
Yay! I’m so thrilled your family has been enjoying the recipe, Nicole!
The most AMAZING garlic bread ever! We all went bonkers and 36 hours left there’s not a crumb leftover. Just pre-ordered! Can’t wait – Kelly, you rock!
Woohoo! Love reading this, Laurie! And thanks so much for your support, I can’t wait to hear which recipe from the book is your favorite! :)
What can use to substitute the cheese you use? As I couldn’t find those cheese. Thank you.
Hi there! You could substitute Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese if you can’t find Asiago and Monterey Jack.
One word. NOM!!!
I’ve tried this once. My family went NUTS over it. I made the mistake of telling my husband what was in it lol I wanted to make it again and he wanted to do it his way. Long story short I should just make it behind his back, not tell him whats in it and watch him gorge. Thanks Hun, love the recipe
I’m so glad your family enjoyed the recipe, Krystal!
This was excellent!! Would not change a thing!!!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Natasha!
Yum! I’ve been making a bread very similar for years, only difference, canned diced green chiles instead of scallions. Delicious!
YUM!
What is Asiago cheese? I live in Australia
Hi Margaret – Aged Asiago is similar in color and texture to Parmesan cheese but has a nutty and yeasty aroma with a strong flavor. You can substitute Parmesan if you can’t find Asiago. :)
That sounds delicious! I normally eat Miracle Whip, so what brand of Mayo would you recommend for this?
Any brand works great for this recipe but I prefer Hellman’s :)
How thick is the spread roughly once smeared on? Mine seems so thick and I wonder if my loaf is small and I should have used less?
It depends on how wide of a loaf you are using!
Just made this bread, absolutely amazing! Has no mayo flavor whatsoever, and it gets perfectly crispy. Only thing I would add personally is maybe 1 or 2 extra cloves of garlic, but that’s just because I’m a garlic fiend!
I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Courtney!
It looks so tasty! Will give it a try.
Enjoy!
This sounds like a great recipe, Kelly. However, whenever I go to make it, I think that I am going to leave off the scallions, because neither me or my husband particularly like scallions
Hi Valerie! It will still be delicious even without the scallions :) Looking forward to hearing your results!