Description
Cheesy Chimichurri Garlic Bread is a delicious fusion appetizer combining Italian-style bread with vibrant Argentinian chimichurri sauce. It features soft garlic butter spread on a crusty loaf, generously topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and enhanced with a fresh herbaceous chimichurri blend. Perfect as a party appetizer or a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread and Cheese
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread (sliced in half lengthwise)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Chimichurri
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano (or 1 tbsp dried)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with minced garlic until evenly mixed. Spread this garlic butter mixture generously and evenly over both halves of the sliced bread.
- Make Chimichurri Sauce: In a separate bowl, stir together finely chopped parsley, fresh or dried oregano, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes (if using), olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined to form a vibrant chimichurri sauce.
- Assemble the Bread: Spoon or brush the chimichurri sauce over the garlic-buttered bread halves, ensuring full coverage. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the Bread: Place the prepared bread halves on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Broil for Finish: For a golden, slightly crispy cheese topping, broil the bread for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, slice into 8 pieces, and serve warm. Garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- This cheesy chimichurri garlic bread works wonderfully as a party appetizer or a bold, flavorful side dish.
- For extra flair, try adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top before baking or drizzling with balsamic glaze after baking.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes in the chimichurri to suit your taste.
