Description
Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks with Marinara Dip are a delicious Italian-American appetizer featuring soft, golden breadsticks topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, garlic butter, and Italian seasoning. Paired with a warm marinara sauce for dipping, these breadsticks offer a perfect balance of savory flavors and a satisfying, cheesy texture. Ideal for parties, snacks, or a cozy meal starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Breadsticks
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Marinara Dip
- 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a clean surface, roll the pizza dough into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick, ensuring an even thickness for uniform baking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter with the minced garlic, combining thoroughly to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
- Brush Dough: Evenly brush the garlic butter mixture over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough, ensuring all edges are covered.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and optional crushed red pepper flakes evenly over the buttered dough surface.
- Score Breadsticks: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, lightly score the dough into breadstick shapes by making cuts about 1 inch apart, being careful not to cut all the way through to keep the sticks connected during baking.
- Bake: Place the prepared baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the breadsticks turn golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Cool and Cut: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before cutting fully along the scored lines to separate individual breadsticks.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the breadsticks for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the warm breadsticks alongside the warmed marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For crispier edges, bake the breadsticks directly on a pizza stone instead of a baking sheet.
- You can substitute mozzarella with cheeses like provolone or cheddar for a different flavor profile.
- Try dipping the breadsticks in ranch dressing or garlic butter for an alternative to marinara sauce.
