Recipe Background
Hasselback Cheesy Bread blends crunchy crust and gooey cheese for a flavorful delight.
Hasselback Cheesy Bread is a masterclass in contrasts—crispy crust, tender crumb, and ribbons of rich, bubbling cheese. When you slice into the bread, you'll create little pockets ready to cradle layers of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. As the aroma of garlic and herbs wafts through your kitchen, anticipation builds. The cheese melts beautifully, with the mozzarella giving just the right amount of stretch while the sharp notes of cheddar and nutty Parmesan offer a pleasing complexity.
One technique to elevate this dish is to be mindful while slicing the bread. Slice deeply enough to create substantial pockets, but avoid cutting all the way through. This ensures each piece stays neatly together, making it easier to share around the table. Once baked, the bread emerges golden and fragrant, the garlic butter infusing every section with flavor. The cheese, gooey and inviting, might invite a little friendly competition over the last piece.
As guests pull apart the slices, laughter and conversation flow naturally. The satisfying crunch followed by the soft, cheesy center makes each bite memorable. Whether you enjoy this bread as a show-stealing appetizer or alongside a cozy meal, it promises warmth and connection. Unwrapping that foil and unveiling the piping hot loaf is an experience—a perfect harmony of simple ingredients coming together, much like family and friends gathered for good food.
Ingredients
- 1 (24-inch) loaf French bread
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley minced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Loosely line an 18x26-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- On a cutting board and with a sharp knife, cut into the top of the French bread to create 1-inch sections; be careful not to slice all the way through to the bottom of the bread, but still deep enough to add the cheese mixture.
- In a medium bowl, add the olive oil, the melted butter, the Worcestershire sauce, the garlic, the salt, and the parsley and whisk to combine.
- Using a spoon or a pastry brush, evenly drizzle or brush the olive oil mixture inside each of the 1-inch cut sections of the French bread.
- Carefully stuff the mozzarella slices, the shredded white cheddar cheese, and the grated parmesan cheese inside each of the 1-inch cut sections of the French bread, attempting to keep most of the cheese mixture inside each section.
- Transfer the stuffed French bread to the prepared baking sheet.
- Loosely fold the aluminum foil up and around the bread, being careful not to touch the aluminum foil to the top of the bread or cheese mixture, and fold the aluminum foil to seal the bread inside. Use a second piece of aluminum foil to completely enclose the bread, if needed.
- Transfer the covered, cheese-filled French bread to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Carefully open up the aluminum foil tent on the top side of the bread and bake, uncovered, until golden-brown and the cheese mixture is fully melted, about 5-10 minutes.
- Plate and serve.
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