If there’s one dish guaranteed to make your kitchen smell absolutely irresistible, it’s Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread. This show-stopping loaf is an explosion of flavor, texture, and melty cheese magic, pulling together the irresistible crusty tang of sourdough with a fragrant garlic-herb butter and gooey, golden cheese tucked into every slice. Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering or just a weeknight treat, it’s the kind of bread that vanishes from the table in minutes, with everyone reaching for “just one more piece.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is blissfully straightforward, but each ingredient earns its place, bringing something unique—whether it’s herby freshness, meltable richness, or that perfect sourdough chew. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Sourdough Loaf: The slightly tangy flavor and hearty crust of sourdough creates the perfect bread “shell” to soak up garlic butter and melt cheese.
- Unsalted Butter: Using melted butter lets the garlic and herbs infuse deeply into every nook of the bread; unsalted keeps flavors balanced.
- Fresh Garlic: Nothing beats the aromatic kick of freshly minced garlic for both flavor and that signature garlic bread aroma.
- Fresh Parsley: Brings bright color and a fresh, grassy note that complements the richness of the cheese and butter.
- Fresh Thyme: Offers subtle earthiness—fresh or dried, thyme grounds the whole flavor profile.
- Fresh Rosemary: This robust herb adds bold, piney depth and the quintessential “herbaceous” bite to the bread.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Provides that luscious melted stretch and captures the “pull-apart” moment everyone loves.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty complexity and helps crisp up the top for an extra layer of flavor.
- Salt: Just a hint brings out all the savory notes in the butter and intensifies the herbs’ impact.
- Black Pepper: Adds a gentle, peppery kick to balance the richness of the cheese and butter.
How to Make Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread
Step 1: Prep the Bread
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay the sourdough loaf on a cutting board, and with a sharp bread knife, cut a crosshatch pattern into the top of the loaf. You want to slice about 1 inch apart in both directions, but make sure you don’t cut all the way through the bottom—leave the base intact so your Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread holds together when baked.
Step 2: Mix the Garlic Herb Butter
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Mix well so the garlic and herbs are evenly distributed throughout the buttery liquid. This mixture will carry your entire flavor profile, so be generous when tasting and adjusting seasonings to your liking.
Step 3: Fill the Bread with Butter
Gently open up the bread’s crosshatch cuts with your fingers or a spoon, being careful not to tear the loaf apart. Drizzle the garlic-herb butter into all those inviting crevices, making sure each section gets a fair share of the good stuff. Don’t be shy—this step guarantees every bite of your Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread is loaded with flavor.
Step 4: Stuff with Cheese
Next, tuck the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly into the cuts. Try to get the cheese deep inside so it melts right into the bread for extra gooeyness. This creates that iconic cheesy pull-apart effect that turns an ordinary loaf into true bread bliss.
Step 5: Wrap and Bake
Place your stuffed loaf on a baking sheet and wrap it completely in foil. Bake for 15 minutes so everything gets warm and the cheese starts melting. Then, carefully unwrap the foil and return the loaf to the oven for another 10 minutes, allowing the bread to crisp and the cheese to become bubbly and just a little golden.
How to Serve Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread
Garnishes
Once your Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread is out of the oven, a final sprinkling of fresh parsley instantly brightens up the presentation and adds another layer of herbal freshness. A dusting of Parmesan over the top never hurts, either. Serve it hot to get the full cheesy, melty effect.
Side Dishes
This bread shines as a shareable appetizer, but it also pairs beautifully with hearty soups, fresh salads, or Italian main courses like lasagna and creamy pasta. Its flavor is rich enough to be the star of the table, yet it happily complements almost any savory spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Slicing the bread after baking makes for easy sharing—just tear and enjoy! For parties or gatherings, serve the loaf on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of warmed marinara or herbed olive oil for dipping. You could even use Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread as a decadent sandwich base, filling the “pull-apart” pieces with roasted veggies or meats for a twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (trust me, it’s rare), wrap the cooled bread tightly in foil or store pieces in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 2 days at room temperature, or a bit longer in the fridge.
Freezing
Want to prepare ahead? After baking and cooling, wrap the Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread tightly in both plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftover slices or the whole loaf back in the oven (wrapped loosely in foil) at 350°F until warmed through and the cheese is gooey again. If you’re only heating a small piece, a quick blast in the toaster oven does the trick.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought sourdough for Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread?
Absolutely! Grab a fresh round from your favorite bakery or supermarket—the more rustic and crusty the loaf, the better it holds up to stuffing and baking. Even day-old bread works brilliantly for this recipe.
Can I substitute dried herbs for fresh?
Definitely. Use about one third the amount of dried herbs in place of fresh—so 1 teaspoon each of dried parsley, thyme, and rosemary. The flavor will be a bit more concentrated but still wonderful.
What kind of cheese works best?
Mozzarella gives the best “stretch” factor, and Parmesan offers bold flavor, but feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack, cheddar, or even a bit of provolone for a different twist. The main goal: cheese that melts smoothly!
How do I keep the bread from becoming soggy?
Make sure not to overdo the butter mixture, and avoid letting melted cheese pool at the bottom. Wrapping the bread for part of the baking time keeps it soft inside, while the final uncovered bake crisps it up perfectly.
What’s the best way to serve Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread for a crowd?
Bake a couple of loaves side-by-side, slice into big “pull-apart” chunks, and serve straight from the oven for maximum impact. Keep extra napkins handy—cheesy fingers are part of the fun!
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t wait for you to bake up a batch of Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread and witness those ooey-gooey, cheese-stuffed slices disappear before your eyes. It’s comforting, delightfully sharable, and brings people together with every tear-apart bite. Give this recipe a go, and watch it become a new favorite in your kitchen!
Print
Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of Garlic Herb Stuffed Sourdough Bread, a savory and cheesy pull-apart bread that is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Sourdough Bread:
- 1 round sourdough loaf (about 1 pound)
Herb Butter:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the bread: Cut the sourdough loaf into a crosshatch pattern without slicing through.
- Prepare the herb butter: Mix melted butter with garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the bread: Drizzle the butter mixture into the cuts, then add the cheese into the crevices.
- Bake: Wrap the loaf in foil, bake for 15 minutes, unwrap, and bake for another 10 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Serve warm.
Notes
- You can use dried herbs if fresh are not available.
- Consider adding crumbled cooked bacon for extra flavor.
- Perfect for serving as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
