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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?
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Disclosure: this post is in partnership with Land O’ Lakes.
FAQs
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.
What is a caprese sandwich made of? ›
Top 1 ciabatta slice with half of the basil leaves; top with mozzarella, tomato and sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with the remaining basil leaves and ciabatta slice. Cut in half diagonally and serve.
Why is caprese healthy? ›
Check out the benefits of each ingredient in a caprese including: Tomato – Tomatoes are a great source of your daily vitamins. One serving of tomatoes gives you about 40% of your daily vitamin C intake. You'll also be getting a good dose of potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin A.
Is caprese and mozzarella the same? ›
An Italian term, the word caprese refers to the combination of fresh Mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, sweet basil, salt, and olive oil. Most commonly it applies to the ever-popular caprese salad which originated in Capri, Italy.
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".
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.
What can I use instead of mozzarella in caprese? ›
Burrata cheese is an excellent substitute to fresh mozzarella and has an almost molten middle of cream.
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.
What tomatoes are best 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.
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 Difference Between Burrata And Caprese? Caprese is a salad made with a soft Italian cheese. Burrata and mozzarella are types of soft Italian cheese that can be used in caprese recipes.
Is a caprese sandwich unhealthy? ›
A Caprese sandwich contains protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats making it a balanced meal that is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
What does caprese mean in Italian? ›
As it's called in Italian, Insalata caprese, Caprese salad literally means “Salad of Capri.” Although nobody knows whether or not the salad was actually first made on the Italian island, it likely originated from a dish made in Capri from a different type of cheese, cacio, served with tomatoes.
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.
What bread is garlic bread made of? ›
Everything you need to make the best garlic bread
Here's what you'll need to make it: Bread: I like to use Italian bread or a loaf of French bread (instead of a baguette) to get those nice thick slices. Butter: gotta have plenty of softened butter, which will melt into all of the bread nooks & crannies.
What does caprese mean in Italian cooking? ›
As it's called in Italian, Insalata caprese, Caprese salad literally means “Salad of Capri.” Although nobody knows whether or not the salad was actually first made on the Italian island, it likely originated from a dish made in Capri from a different type of cheese, cacio, served with tomatoes.
What does caprese mean in a recipe? ›
This Italian classic “Insalata Caprese,” meaning “Salad of Capri,” is named after the famous white-cliffed resort island of Capri in the south of Italy.
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