The Best Cheesy Garlic Bread Spread (aka Liz Bread)
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I know that is a big claim, to be the Best Cheesy Garlic Bread Spread, but with a surprise ingredient and only 4 total ingredients this spread will become your new favorite too! Cheesy, gooey, golden and bubbly.
I have long had a love affair would really good, soft, gooey, hot bread, and because it’s cheesy, all the better!
When you need a quick bread recipe to go with soup, stew, chili or pasta dish — this should be your go-to recipe!
Or maybe you need a great, bread / side dish to bring to a potluck, you will be the talk of the party and you will be asked to bring it again and again, and maybe again!
The first time I had this amazing Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe was during Thanksgiving week, the second year of our marriage. We shared a house with dear family friends just a few blocks from the beach in the quaint, Carmel By-The-Sea; it was chilly, sunny, gorgeous week at the beach.
These are not just any friends, these are the pastors and their families who married my hubby and I. They are family! You all have friends like that right?
On Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as their kids were arriving from college, Liz (the family matriarch) made her famous chili and while that was simmering away, she whipped up this spread and slathered it all over a couple of loaves of soft, fresh French bread.
The golden brown bubbliness that came out of the oven was nothing short of incredible.
I was intrigued, that this simple and easy mixture creates this cheesy, gooey amazing, golden brown bread?!? I asked Liz where she got the recipe and she said, “I made it up!” This from a woman who claims she doesn’t like to cook! Tooey on that!
It was an “eyeball it” kind of recipe; and about 5 years ago I finally pinned her down to measure before she threw it all together. And YOU, my friends are the benefactors of that tenacity!
Why is it called Liz Bread?
I am not the originator of the name, “Liz Bread,” people far and wide know of and have tasted the famous “Liz Bread”, even her kids call it Liz Bread! Our family calls it, “Nana Liz Bread” since our boys have always known her as “Nana Liz”. Psst, we love you Nana Liz and Papa John!
Whip up some of my Firecracker chili or big pot of Zuppa Toscana soup and stir together a few messy ingredients that are probably already in your fridge and make this amazing bread.
Ingredients for the Best Cheesy Garlic Bread Spread
- ¼-½ stick real butter, softened (for spreading on the bread)
- ½- 1 cup grated (fine) Parmesan cheese (I use a half of a cup)
- 2/3 cup green onions (scallions), chopped (greens to light green)
- 1 cup mayonnaise, good quality, I like Chosen Foods, Avocado Oil mayo
- 1 loaf fresh, French or Italian Bread, Sliced in half
- 2-4 cloves of garlic minced, or ¼ – ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Secret Ingredient?
You probably already guessed it, it is mayo. Mayonnaise gives this bread extra cheesy, creamy, gooey flavor; and you will not even taste it.
Can I Make the Cheesy Bread Spread Ahead of Time?
Absolutely, it probably even gives the cheese and mayo mixture a chance to hang out and mingle a bit.
Can you spread it ahead of time too, so it’s ready to pop in the oven?
Yes, slather on your butter first, then the spread, place on a cookie sheet and cover lightly with plastic wrap and store in fridge until ready, probably not a day ahead put a couple of hours, would be fine!
What about Cheesy Garlic Bread?
Yes, it’s delicious with and without garlic! Try it both ways! As long as we are on options, what about the green onions?
Do you need to use them? Nope, leave them out if you do not like them, I often make a couple slices without for my youngest.
Does the type of Mayonnaise matter?
In my opinion yes, but honestly, I would say use the mayo you normally would use, because that is the “taste” you will enjoy.
You won’t even taste the mayo in this spread, it melts into a beautiful golden brown, bubbly yum!
Baking this Incredible Bubbly Yum
When it comes time to bake this delicious bread, I caution you not to walk away from the broiler.
I like my bread warmed the whole way through, so personally I bake it first on the middle rack at 350° the bread on a lower rack on broil for 2-3 minutes, then move it up to 4-5 inches from the broiler and broil for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbly.
I hope you enjoy this amazing bread, below the recipe are some great recipes to compliment Cheesy Bread.
More amazing side recipes!
- Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread <== easy and amazing!
- Cowboy Baked Beans | Crowd pleaser!!
- Super Cheesy Party Potatoes | aka Funeral Potatoes, all natural though!
- Tarragon Carrots | drool worthy, truly!
- Roasted Balsamic and honey Brussels Sprouts | the crispy kind like the restaurants!
- Best Ever Corn Pudding | Gobbled up every-single-time!
- Sweet Molasses Brown Bread Rolls | a little more time, but well worth it!
- Easy Yeast Rolls | really, really easy!
- Beer Bread and Beer Cheese Popovers | super easy, super great!
Like this recipe?
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The Best Cheesy Bread Spread
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼-½ stick real butter, softened (for spreading on the bread)
- ½- 1 cup grated, fine parmesan cheese (I use a half of a cup)
- 2/3 cup green onions, scallions, chopped (greens to light green)
- 1 cup mayonnaise, good quality, I like Chosen Foods, Avocado Oil mayo
- 1 loaf fresh, French or Italian Bread, Sliced in half
Optional
- 2-4 cloves of garlic minced, or ¼ – ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a bowl, combine the parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sliced scallions and minced garlic (optional). Stir until combined.
- Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise then spread both sides with a thin layer of butter, then with the cheese mixture.
- Bake the bread for 7 minutes then, turn to broil and place it under the broiler (about 4-6 inches under) just until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Cut it into slices and serve.
✱ Kathleen’s Tips
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Recipes to Compliment Cheesy Bread
Firecracker Chili (but not hot!)
Spicy, but not HOT Firecracker chili. Give this delicious, but unusually spiced chili a try, adding shredded veggies to increase the nutritional value and flavor!
Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup
Ah, Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle soup that's loaded with amazing flavors, simple ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes or less. A comfort food classic that's both hearty and quick! Instructions for making into a vegan or vegetarian option as well.
Tender Beer Beef Stew
A tender, delicious, slow cooked beef stew loaded with tender carrots, potatoes, caramelized onions, swimming in a rich, savory gravy.
Simple Italian Wedding Soup
This warm, good-for-you soup is perfect for a chilly day or when you are not feeling well. Loaded with tiny meatballs and teensy pasta, it's sure to please the most discriminating palate.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Simple Garlic Croutons
A deliciously deceptive soup, filled with healthy roasted cauliflower and the creaminess of roasted garlic, finished with sharp cheddar cheese and simple homemade garlic croutons it'll warm you from the inside out.
About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
Made this to accompany a big pot of Chili on our first “Snow Day” in Texas in 10 years! Very delicious. Definitely needs the garlic. Thanks, Cuz!
Love that you loved it! We love it both ways, probably because we started having it without the garlic, but I get it! Thank you!
Wow! This bread looks so divine!! I imagine serving it up with a nice plate of charcuterie and red wine. Can’t wait to try it!
Most definitely Tasia, most definitely!! Thank you!
Awesome–we are going to tee this up for sure! Might have to call it “K’s Bread”–with all due respect to Liz😊😊😊😊!!!
Thank you, again…..