Name: Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Texas Toast Garlic Bread)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cupmayonnaisereal; 4 cupsshredded Cheddar Jack Cheese; 1/2 cupgrated Parmesan; 1/4 cupparsley; 1 teaspoonseasoned salt; 1/2 teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper; 1/2 cupsalted butter; 1 tablespoonchunky garlic paste; 8 slicesTexas Toast

Jump to Recipe

If you like bread that’s buttery, garlicky, and loaded with melty cheese, this is the recipe you’ll make again and again. It’s straightforward, forgiving, and perfect when you want a fast side that feels indulgent. The combination of mayonnaise, two cheeses, and a chunky garlic butter gives the topping a creamy, golden finish every time.

This version uses thick Texas Toast slices, so you get a sturdy base that crisps on the edges and stays soft inside. It’s a great weeknight shortcut for pairing with pasta, soups, or a simple salad — or for serving at a casual gathering. It bakes up in about 10–12 minutes, and a quick broil takes it to restaurant-level browning if you want that extra crunch.

I’ll walk you through the exact ingredient lineup, step-by-step cooking guide, useful gear, what commonly goes wrong, and how to tweak the recipe for your goals. No fuss, just practical tips so you can get the best results every time.

The Ingredient Lineup

3/4 cup mayonnaise (real) — adds creaminess and keeps the cheese topping smooth as it melts.
4 cups shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese — the primary melty cheese; gives stretch and flavor.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan — provides sharpness and helps the top brown nicely.
1/4 cup parsley — fresh herb for brightness; saves the cheese from tasting one-note.
1 teaspoon seasoned salt — seasons the cheese layer evenly; more balanced than plain salt here.
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper — a touch of heat and complexity.
1/2 cup salted butter — melts into the bread for rich flavor and helps crisp the surface.
1 tablespoon chunky garlic paste — concentrated garlic punch without mincing; cooks briefly to take the raw edge off.
8 slices Texas Toast — thick-sliced bread that holds up to the topping and toasting.

Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Texas Toast Garlic Bread) Cooking Guide

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 4 cups shredded Cheddar Jack cheese, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Stir and press down until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Stir 1/4 cup parsley, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper into the cheese mixture. Cover and chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the butter and bread.
In a small skillet over low heat, melt 1/2 cup salted butter. Add 1 tablespoon chunky garlic paste and stir; cook 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat.
Arrange 8 slices of Texas Toast on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the butter-garlic mixture onto both sides of each slice.
Spoon an equal amount of the chilled mayonnaise-cheese mixture onto the top of each slice and spread/smooth it to cover the surface.
Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the cheese topping is melted and bubbly.
If you want a crisper, more browned top, place the baking sheet under the broiler for 1–3 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.
Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, and sprinkle with additional parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe hits all the comfort-food marks: warm, cheesy, savory, and fast. The mayonnaise is the secret weapon — it keeps the cheese mixture silky and stops the topping from separating while baking. You get a golden surface and creamy interior without fussing over a complicated sauce or extra steps.

Using Texas Toast means you don’t need to worry about the bread collapsing under the topping. It browns evenly, takes on the garlic butter, and holds the melted cheese in place. In short: great texture, concentrated flavor, and minimal hands-on time.

Healthier Substitutions

Swap the mayo for a yogurt-based spread or a light mayo to cut calories; texture will be slightly less rich but still creamy.
Use part-skim shredded Cheddar Jack or reduce the total cheese by replacing 1 cup with more Parmesan or a lower-fat cheese for slightly fewer calories.
Swap salted butter for a butter alternative or a light spread to reduce saturated fat; keep in mind the final flavor and browning change.
Boost the parsley or add other fresh herbs like chopped basil or chives to increase freshness without adding fat.

What You’ll Need (Gear)

Large baking sheet — for even toasting and easy broiling.
Parchment paper — makes cleanup simple and prevents sticking.
Medium mixing bowl — to combine the mayonnaise and cheeses.
Small skillet — to melt butter and temper the garlic.
Offset spatula or butter knife — for spreading the topping evenly.
Oven mitts and a timer — essential for safety and timing the broil.

Learn from These Mistakes

Skipping the refrigeration step for the cheese mixture can make it runnier on the bread. Chill briefly to firm it up for easier spreading.
Using too-high heat throughout risks burning the garlic or the edges of the bread before the cheese melts. Bake at 350°F, then broil only if you need extra color.
Over-buttering the bread will leave it soggy. Brush both sides lightly; you want flavor, not saturation.
Walking away during broiling is how you burn the topping. Broilers vary—watch closely for that 1–3 minute window.

Fit It to Your Goals

If you’re feeding a crowd, this scales easily. Multiply ingredients and use multiple baking sheets or bake in batches. For portion control, cut each Texas Toast slice into smaller pieces and pair with a big salad or roasted veggies to make the meal more filling without adding too many extra slices.

For lower-sodium needs, choose low-sodium cheeses where possible and skip the seasoned salt; instead, add a pinch of plain salt and extra pepper to taste. If you want to boost protein without extra cheese, serve the bread alongside grilled chicken or a bean-based soup.

Chef’s Rationale

I use mayonnaise and a mix of cheeses intentionally. Mayonnaise emulsifies the fat and water components so the topping melts as a coherent layer rather than separating into oil and clumps. The Cheddar Jack brings melty texture and mild tang, while Parmesan contributes sharper flavor and helps the top brown due to its lower moisture.

Melting the garlic in butter at low heat ensures the raw edge softens and the flavor infuses the fat without burning. Brushing both sides of the bread with the garlic butter ensures flavor through and through, not just on the top surface.

Make Ahead Like a Pro

Prep the Topping

You can make the mayonnaise-cheese-parsley mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld and to firm up the mixture for easier spreading.

Pre-butter the Bread

Brush the garlic butter on the bread slices and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few hours before baking. For longer storage, do not assemble with the cheese topping — add that fresh before baking.

Freezing Option

Assembled but unbaked slices can be frozen on a sheet until solid, then transferred to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen but add a few extra minutes to the baking time. If you freeze after baking, reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through to retain texture.

Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Texas Toast Garlic Bread) Q&A

Q: Can I use a different type of bread? A: Yes. Thick-sliced bread works best — the recipe relies on that density. Thinner bread may get soggy or burn before the cheese melts.

Q: What if I don’t have chunky garlic paste? A: You can use minced fresh garlic; just gently sauté it in the butter until fragrant. If using fresh, be careful not to brown it.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: There are dairy-free cheeses and spreads, but results vary. The mayo helps with texture, so a stable vegan mayo is useful. Expect differences in flavor and melt.

Q: How do I get the top perfectly browned? A: After baking, switch to broil for 1–3 minutes, watching constantly. Every broiler is different; stay near the oven so you can pull it the moment it’s golden.

The Last Word

This Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Texas Toast Garlic Bread) is one of those recipes that feels indulgent but comes together quickly. Small techniques — chilling the cheese mix, low-heat garlic in butter, and a cautious broil — make a big difference in the outcome. It’s reliable, crowd-pleasing, and easy to adapt. Keep the core steps as written, learn from the mistakes listed, and you’ll have a dependable, delicious side to pull from your repertoire any night of the week.

Print Recipe Save it for later