Cheesy Texas Toast
Cheesy Texas Toast is a delightful twist on traditional garlic bread, perfect for complementing soups, salads, or simply enjoying on its own. Made with thick slices of bread generously topped with a blend of cheeses and a garlic-infused butter, this recipe promises a satisfyingly crisp exterior and gooey, flavorful center.
Whether using store-bought Texas Toast or thick-cut white bread, this dish is easy to prepare and sure to be a hit at any mealtime gathering or as a savory snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Perfectly Crispy & Buttery: The thick, toasted bread with a generous layer of melted butter creates a crispy, golden exterior, while still being soft and pillowy inside—a textural dream that everyone loves.
Cheese Overload: The combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and parmesan gives the toast a rich, cheesy flavor with just the right amount of gooeyness. It’s cheesy, melty, and utterly comforting.
Garlic Goodness: Freshly minced garlic adds a bold, aromatic flavor that elevates the dish, making it more than just a cheesy toast—it’s a savory, garlicky indulgence.
Customizable: The recipe is highly adaptable. You can swap in whatever cheese you have on hand, from mozzarella to Swiss, and adjust the garlic based on your taste preference. It’s a great way to use what’s available in your pantry!
Quick & Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and a quick 10-12 minute bake time, this cheesy toast comes together effortlessly—perfect for a snack, side dish, or appetizer.
Versatile: It pairs wonderfully with soups, pastas, salads, or just as a standalone treat. Its versatility makes it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Comfort Food: There’s something deeply satisfying about cheesy, buttery, garlic-infused toast. It’s the kind of comfort food that always hits the spot and appeals to all ages.
Key Ingredients:
Thick White Bread or Texas Toast: Thick slices of bread provide a sturdy base for the buttery, cheesy topping and ensure a crispy, satisfying texture.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor, helping the toast crisp up while giving it a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan): A blend of cheeses gives the toast a gooey, melty texture with a savory, rich flavor. You can customize with any cheese you prefer!
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a bold, aromatic kick, infusing the butter with savory goodness.
How to make Cheesy Texas Toast
BREAD
For the best garlic cheese toast, you want to use a thickly sliced white bread, either regular or sourdough.
At the supermarket, it is sometimes in the frozen section and called “Texas Toast.” Look for bread that is thick enough to hold the toppings and thick enough for dipping into soups and sauces!
BUTTER
Use butter for best results. Margarine will work as well, but won’t have quite the flavor that butter does!
CHEESE
I used cheddar, Monterey Jack, and parmesan cheese.
Feel free to use any cheese you have on hand! Mozza, Emmental, or Swiss will all taste great!
GARLIC
Fresh, minced garlic really kicks this up a notch.
Add more or less depending on your love for garlic!
Ingredients
4 slices of Texas Toast or thick white bread
1/2 cup of grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella or a blend)
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Place bread slices on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix together melted butter and minced garlic (if using).
Brush the mixture evenly on both sides of the bread slices.
Sprinkle grated cheese evenly on top of each slice.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown.
Serve hot.
Notes:
Choose the Right Bread: Use thickly sliced white bread like Texas Toast or sourdough. This ensures the bread can hold up to the butter, garlic, and cheese without becoming soggy.
Preheat the Oven: Always preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) before baking the toast. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve that perfect golden-brown crust.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture: Mix the melted butter and minced garlic thoroughly in a small bowl. This step allows the garlic flavor to infuse into the butter, enhancing the overall taste of the toast.
Even Distribution of Toppings: When brushing the garlic butter onto the bread slices, ensure both sides are evenly coated. This ensures the bread gets a nice garlic flavor throughout.
Sprinkle Cheese Evenly: Distribute the grated cheese evenly over the buttered bread slices. This ensures that each bite has a balanced amount of cheese, and it melts uniformly during baking.
Monitor Baking Time: Keep an eye on the toast while it bakes. Depending on your oven and the thickness of the bread, baking time may vary slightly. Remove from the oven when the cheese is fully melted and the edges of the bread are golden brown.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy the Cheesy Texas Toast while it’s hot and fresh from the oven. This ensures the cheese remains gooey and the bread retains its crispiness.
Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations or add other toppings like chopped herbs, diced tomatoes, or cooked bacon for added flavor and texture.
Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to maintain the crispiness.
Serve with Soups or Salads: Cheesy Texas Toast pairs wonderfully with soups, salads, or as a delicious side dish to complement a main meal.
Nutrition Information:
Based on 1 serving (1 slice of Cheesy Texas Toast):
Calories: 430 kcal | Total Fat: 32.5 g | Saturated Fat: 19.3 g | Cholesterol: 89 mg | Sodium: 532 mg | Total Carbohydrate: 20 g | Protein: 16.5 g
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use regular sliced bread instead of Texas Toast?
While Texas Toast is thicker and ideal for this recipe, you can use regular sliced bread as a substitute.
However, keep in mind that the result may not be as thick and hearty.
What other cheeses can I use for this recipe?
You can customize the cheese to your liking. Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, parmesan, or a blend of these cheeses work well.
Feel free to experiment with other cheese varieties like Swiss, Emmental, or any cheese you prefer.
Is it necessary to use fresh minced garlic, or can I use garlic powder?
While fresh minced garlic provides a more pronounced and aromatic garlic flavor, you can substitute it with garlic powder if you prefer.
Adjust the quantity to taste, as garlic powder can be more concentrated.
Can I prepare this in advance and reheat it later?
Cheesy Texas Toast is best served hot and fresh from the oven for the optimal cheesy and crispy experience.
While you can reheat it, the texture may not be as crispy as when it’s first baked.
If you do reheat, use an oven or toaster oven to help maintain some crispness.
What are some serving suggestions for Cheesy Texas Toast?
This toast makes a delicious side dish or snack.
It’s great for serving with soups, salads, or as a party appetizer.
You can also pair it with pasta dishes for added cheesy goodness.
What’s the best way to ensure the cheese gets crispy and golden brown on top?
To achieve crispy and golden-brown cheese on top of your Texas Toast, make sure to evenly distribute the grated cheese over the bread slices.
Additionally, placing the toast on the top rack of the oven during baking can help the cheese become crispy and nicely browned.
Can I make Cheesy Texas Toast without garlic?
Yes, if you prefer not to use garlic, you can omit it from the recipe.
The cheesy bread will still be delicious, and it won’t affect the overall outcome significantly.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter for the butter-garlic mixture?
Yes, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand.
Just be mindful of the additional saltiness it may contribute to the dish, especially if you are sensitive to salt.
What are some variations or additional toppings I can add to Cheesy Texas Toast?
You can customize your Cheesy Texas Toast by adding toppings like sliced tomatoes, chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley or basil), cooked bacon bits, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Get creative with your favorite toppings!
Can I prepare this recipe on a stovetop skillet instead of using the oven?
While baking in the oven is the traditional method, you can also make Cheesy Texas Toast in a skillet on the stovetop.
Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, add a little butter, place the bread slices, add the cheese, and cover with a lid.
Cook until the cheese melts and the bread becomes golden brown, flipping as needed.