Description
This Artichoke Cheese Bread is a warm, savory appetizer combining creamy artichoke hearts, melted cheeses, and garlic-infused butter on crusty French bread. Perfect for parties or a comforting snack, it bakes to golden perfection with a gooey, cheesy topping and a soft, flavorful inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Garlic Mixture
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Artichoke Cheese Filling
- 1 (14-oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Bread and Topping
- 1 (16-oz) French bread loaf
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed bread.
- Melt Butter and Cook Garlic: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Prepare Artichoke Mixture: Add the drained and chopped artichoke hearts, shredded Mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and sour cream to the skillet. Stir everything well to combine all the flavors evenly. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise. Carefully scoop out some of the soft center to create a hollow shell for the filling, leaving enough bread around the edges to hold the mixture.
- Fill Bread: Spoon the cooled artichoke cheese mixture evenly into the hollowed-out bread halves. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the filling.
- Bake Covered: Place each bread half on a baking sheet and cover lightly with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven, cut the bread into slices, and serve warm as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream with cream cheese for a richer texture.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling can add a spicy kick.
- For extra crispiness, broil the bread for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- This recipe can be made ahead by preparing the filling and stuffing the bread, then baking just before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
