Why This Recipe Works

For our best garlic bread recipe, we toasted a generous amount of whole garlic cloves to mellow their harshness and highlight their rich, sweet, nutty flavor. We used butter sparingly to give the bread ample richness without marring its texture with overwhelming greasiness. And we added a sparing amount of cheese for depth and complexity without interfering with the garlic flavor.

Before You Begin

Garlic bread is best served piping hot, so time it to arrive at the table last, once all the other dishes are finished and ready to serve.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Meanwhile, toast garlic in small skillet over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until fragrant and color of garlic deepens slightly, about 8 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel and mince garlic (you should have about 3 tablespoons minced garlic). Using dinner fork, mash garlic, butter, Parmesan, and salt in small bowl until thoroughly combined.

Spread cut sides of loaf evenly with garlic butter mixture; season with pepper to taste. Transfer loaf halves, buttered side up, to rimmed baking sheet; bake until surface of bread is golden brown and toasted, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking. Slice each half crosswise 2 inches thick; serve immediately.