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A simple recipe for Caprese Garlic Bread, the best garlic bread you will ever eat!
Garlic bread has always been a staple in our home. Growing up, my dad would make garlic bread to go with every Italian meal. My dad’s lasagna, spaghetti, and ravioli always had garlic bread on the side. Carb overload? Maybe, but I never complained.Now, every time I am make an Italian meal, I ask Josh if he wants garlic bread to go with. He says yes 100% of the time. I am glad he enjoys garlic bread as much as I do. And since we both eat it, it doesn’t matter if we have garlic breath:)
I love plain old garlic bread, but we recently gave the traditional garlic bread a makeover. We made Caprese Garlic Bread and let me tell you, this is the BEST garlic bread I have ever eaten. I am putting it in the top 10 recipes we have ever made…ok, maybe 20. I love a lot of our recipes:) This Caprese Garlic Bread is a winner. It deserves a gold medal for sure!
This garlic bread recipe has all of my favorite ingredients-bread, cheese, tomatoes, basil, and of course garlic and butter! We used Land O Lakes Butter in Half Sticks for this recipe. It is perfect because the recipe calls for four tablespoons, which is exactly one half stick! Perfect! No need to cut a stick of butter in half and have the other half get lost in the fridge.
We mixed together softened butter and minced garlic. Oh, what a glorious combination!
We spread the bread-hey, that rhymes, with the garlic butter.
We added slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and popped the bread into the oven. We baked the bread for about 15 minutes, until the cheese was melted and starting to brown on the edges.
We topped the bread with tomato slices, seasoned them with salt and pepper, and sprinkled fresh basil over the tomatoes.
Next, we added a drizzle of balsamic. We reduced the balsamic vinegar to give it a thicker texture and sweeter flavor.
And voila-Caprese Garlic Bread! The best garlic bread ever!!
We cut the bread into thick slices and devoured the loaf. It’s crusty, cheesy, garlicky, buttery, tomatoey, basily, and a tad bit vinegary. I think I just made up a bunch of words, but you’re with me, right? It’s super duper delicious!
If you are looking for an updated version of the classic garlic bread, make this Caprese Garlic Bread. It will change your life for the better. And it is perfect for summer! So fresh and tasty! We are going to be making this garlic bread all summer long. And don’t be worried about garlic breath, just make sure the person you are smoochin’ eats some too. I am sure you won’t have to twist their arm:)
Vegetarian
Garlic bread with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic! The best garlic bread you will ever eat!
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread horizontally cut in half
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 medium tomatoes sliced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place both sides of the baguette on a large baking sheet with the cut side up.
In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic and spread evenly on bread halves. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of the bread, making sure the cheese covers the bread completely. Bake the bread for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
While the bread is in the oven, make the balsamic reduction. Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring the vinegar to a boil, decrease the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about half. This should only take about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
Remove the bread from oven. Top the bread with tomato slices. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Cut into slices and serve.
Have you tried this recipe?
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Disclosure: this post is in partnership with Land O’ Lakes.
FAQs
Garlic Caprese Bread is slathered with luscious garlic butter and adorned with fresh sliced tomatoes, two delectable cheeses, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Baked to a crisp, golden perfection, it's the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish!
Is Caprese and mozzarella the same? ›
An Italian term, the word caprese refers to the combination of fresh Mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, sweet basil, salt, and olive oil. Most commonly it applies to the ever-popular caprese salad which originated in Capri, Italy.
How are you supposed to eat caprese? ›
It stays fresher and it's really easy to use a fork to break your portion up into bite size pieces. Or just eat it with your hands! Another way to serve a Caprese style salad is to chop everything into bite-size pieces, toss with the olive oil and vinegar, and serve over a bed of lettuce or as a chilled pasta salad.
What do you eat with garlic bread? ›
Garlic bread is a classic partner to a dish like a seafood stew. You can whip up a warm bowl in minutes using any mix of seafood—such as mussels, fish fillet slices, prawns—and a broth seasoned with spices, vegetables, and sour cream.
Why is caprese so good? ›
Everyone loves this colorful combination and it's easy to see why in its artful balance of flavors: creamy, milky mozzarella takes on the tomato's acidity and the sweetly herbaceous basil, where the extra virgin olive oil adds a mild fruitiness that brings it all together. It's like they were made for each other!
Why is it called caprese? ›
The salad is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. Two common stories about its origin include it being an homage to the Italian flag or "in the 20th century to appease the palates of vacationing royalty and important politicos".
What tomato is best for caprese? ›
When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.
Do Italians eat caprese? ›
Whatever the reason, there's no doubt that Caprese salad is one of Italy's most loved, internationally recognized dishes.
What pairs well with caprese? ›
What to Serve with Caprese Chicken: A Crowd-Pleasing Italian Meal
- Produce. • 1 Broccoli rabe. • 1 Spinach and white beans. ...
- Pasta & Grains. • 1 Pasta fa*gioli. • 1 Pesto pasta.
- Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Garlic bread.
- Frozen. • 1 Parmesan risotto.
- Prepared. • 1 Antipasto.
- Deli. • 1 Caesar salad.
- Other. • Arancini. • Panzanella.
Check out the benefits of each ingredient in a caprese including: Tomato – Tomatoes are a great source of your daily vitamins. One serving of tomatoes gives you about 40% of your daily vitamin C intake. You'll also be getting a good dose of potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin A.
It's a healthy trio, but one of these ingredients may have some pretty impressive heart-health benefits... One of my favorite easy snacks in the world is a combo of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Heaven! It's a healthy trio, but one of these ingredients may have some pretty impressive heart-health benefits...
How do Italians eat garlic bread? ›
Garlic Bread
The Italians do eat garlic rubbed on toasted bread – with olive oil, not butter – and call it bruschetta. But they will toast an Italian bread such as ciabatta, not a French baguette, as has become popular in the UK and America.
Is garlic bread good for stomach? ›
Garlic contains fructan, a compound that causes many problems for the stomach and intestines. Eating too much garlic will directly stimulate the digestive tract, which can damage the stomach lining. From there can cause symptoms of nagging, heartburn, flatulence even peptic ulcers.
Can you eat garlic bread without cooking it? ›
Yes, you can. But chances are that it will be dry, crumbly, and not particularly appetizing. The best garlic bread is served and eaten fresh from being made.
What bread is garlic bread made of? ›
This is a versatile recipe, as readily made with thin baguettes, as it is with rustic sourdoughs and airy Italian loaves. Cutting the bread like a Hasselback potato keeps the butter from seeping out and allows the garlic to infuse the bread with its flavor without scorching.
What is a caprese sandwich made of? ›
Top 1 ciabatta slice with half of the basil leaves; top with mozzarella, tomato and sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with the remaining basil leaves and ciabatta slice. Cut in half diagonally and serve.
Are caprese panini healthy? ›
Mozzarella is packed with protein, too. Traditional caprese doesn't have meat as a protein source, but the protein found in mozzarella will be enough to keep you feeling full and energized until your next meal.
