Description
Lasagna Garlic Bread is a deliciously cheesy and savory twist on classic garlic bread, featuring seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses toasted to golden perfection. It’s perfect as a hearty appetizer or side dish that brings Italian flavors to your table in a simple and satisfying way.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick / 113 g), softened
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (50 g), grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Filling
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce (514 g), divided
Topping
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (113 g), shredded, divided
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (113 g), shredded, divided
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven, and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Prepare the bread: Slice the loaf of Italian bread lengthwise into two halves. Place the halves on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up, ready for the garlic butter spread.
- Make garlic butter mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, grated parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Spread this flavorful butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Set aside.
- Cook ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease for a leaner filling.
- Add marinara sauce to beef: Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce into the cooked beef. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the lasagna bread: Spread half of the beef-marinara mixture evenly over each half of the bread. Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese and ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese over each half to create a cheesy, savory topping.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 14 minutes or until the bread is toasted and the cheese has melted.
- Broil for golden cheese: Switch the oven to broil and broil the bread for an additional 3 minutes, watching carefully to get the cheese bubbly and golden brown without burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, cut into servings, and serve immediately with the remaining marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- To make this in an air fryer: Follow the recipe up to the baking step, then place the bread halves cut-side up in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Use Italian seasoning or a fresh mix of basil, oregano, and thyme for best flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach instead.
- To make it easier to slice, let the bread cool for a few minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set slightly.
- Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese blends.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
