This post may contain affiliate links. Read mydisclosure policy.
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?
Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag @twopeasandpod and hashtag it with #twopeasandtheirpod
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!
What is a caprese in English? ›
Meaning of caprese in English
a salad made from slices of tomato and mozzarella (= a soft white Italian cheese), often with basil, and olive oil: The salads are pretty good — I normally get the Caprese. To start, we ordered the caprese salad.
Is caprese salad healthy? ›
Caprese salad is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
What goes with garlic bread? ›
6 Meal Ideas That Call for Garlic Bread
- Spaghetti Carbonara. In classic Italian cuisine, garlic bread typically accompanies pasta. ...
- Garlic Bread Tuna Melt. Need a quick lunch idea for your kids' baon? ...
- Creamy Tomato Soup. ...
- Seafood Stew. ...
- Grilled Marinated Pork and Vegetables. ...
- Garlic Bread Bruschetta.
Caprese is truly a magical and perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and some kind of drizzle of either olive oil or balsamic… or both.
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".
Which tomatoes are good 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.
What kind of mozzarella is used in caprese? ›
Ovolini mozzarella is just one size down from your standard large ball, perfect for when you're making a caprese for just one or two people. It can be made with buffalo milk, cow's milk, or a combination, but inside the states, it will be made with 100 percent cow's milk.
Is caprese good for weight loss? ›
Created in the 1950s as a light lunch for regulars at a famed Italian restaurant, Trattoria da Vincenzo, the Caprese Salad is a favorite for those on our low carb diets and weight loss management programs because it's filling and packed with flavor, yet also very nutritious. Plus, it's very easy and quick to prepare.
What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›
10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
- Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
- Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
- Tofu and Kale Salad.
- Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
- Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
- Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
- Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
- Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
This versatile vinegar may enhance skin health, support healthy weight maintenance by increasing satiety, promote digestive health, lower blood pressure and improve blood sugar control. However, overconsumption may damage tooth enamel and lead to acid reflux or heartburn.
Can I eat garlic bread everyday? ›
A diet that consisted solely of garlic bread and pasta wouldn't be the best choice. But as an occasional treat, garlic bread has a place in a healthy diet. Usually the garlic bread is made up of refined flour , so it is best to avoid. If there is no other option, eat it in a limited quantity.
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.
What does garlic bread do to your body? ›
Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body's protective mechanisms against oxidative damage.” It adds that, “High doses of garlic supplements have been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes in humans, as well as significantly reduce oxidative stress in people with high blood pressure.”
What is a caprese sandwich made of? ›
Caprese Sandwich- a classic Italian sandwich made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil. To make the sandwich extra special, add pesto, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Is caprese a healthy snack? ›
With three simple ingredients, the salad hosts a significant serving of vitamins and nutrients beneficial to your daily intake. Whether it is a small portion as a quick snack, or a larger meal, slicing up these three ingredients is sure to satisfy your craving and increase your body's health.
What is a balsamic glaze made of? ›
To make a glaze, you only need that one ingredient: balsamic vinegar. Many recipes call for an added sweetener of some sort — usually sugar or honey. Cooking it down with those additions helps it cook faster while adding a hint of flavour to the glaze.
Is caprese actually Italian? ›
The first origin story for Caprese salad dates back to post-World War I Italy. A patriotic mason wanted to make a dish that was a true tribute to Italy and that visually incorporated the tricolor into the presentation. The first printed mention of the Caprese salad was on a menu at the Hotel Quisisana.
