1-Step 1: Preheat Your Oven to Broil Start by setting your oven to the broil setting. Broiling gives the cheese that gorgeous golden-brown top and crispy edges while keeping the inside soft and gooey. Most ovens have a broil option, usually located at the top of the oven settings. If your oven offers low and high broil options, choose high for the best results. While the oven preheats, position your oven rack about 6 inches from the heating element. This distance allows the cheese to melt and brown without burning. If your bread is particularly thick, you might want to move the rack down one level to prevent over-browning before the cheese fully melts.

2-Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheese, grated cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic powder. Stir everything together until well blended. The mayonnaise might seem like an unusual ingredient, but it creates a creamy base that helps the cheeses meld together and spread smoothly onto the bread. Use a fork or spatula to mix thoroughly, making sure the garlic powder is evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture. Taste a tiny bit and adjust the garlic if you prefer a stronger flavor some people love using a full teaspoon or more for an extra garlicky kick. For best results, use freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded varieties. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly. A combination of mozzarella for stretchiness and a sharper cheese like cheddar or parmesan for flavor works beautifully.

3-Step 3: Split the Bread Lengthwise Take your loaf of Italian or French bread and slice it in half lengthwise using a serrated bread knife. A sawing motion works best to get clean cuts without squishing the bread. You’ll end up with two long halves, each ready to be loaded with cheesy goodness. If you’re using a particularly wide loaf, you can cut each half into narrower strips for easier serving later. Some people prefer to score the bread in a crosshatch pattern before adding the topping, which helps the mixture seep into the nooks and crannies for even more flavor in every bite.

4-Step 4: Spread the Mixture Generously Now comes the fun part spreading that glorious cheese mixture onto your bread halves. Use a butter knife or spatula to spread the mixture evenly across both cut sides of the bread. Don’t be shy here; pile it on and spread it all the way to the edges for maximum cheesiness in every bite. Work methodically from one end to the other, making sure the coverage is even. Some areas shouldn’t be thick while others are sparse aim for a consistent layer across the entire surface. If you have extra mixture, feel free to add a second layer for an ultra-cheesy experience.

5-Step 5: Broil Until Golden and Bubbly Place your prepared bread halves on a baking sheet and slide them under the broiler. Broil for just a few minutes typically 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown and starts to bubble. Keep a close eye on the bread during this step because broilers work fast, and nobody wants burnt cheese. You’ll know it’s ready when you see the cheese melting into pools, with spots of golden brown forming on top. The edges of the bread should also get slightly crispy and toasted. If you like extra crispy edges, you can leave it under the broiler for another minute, but watch carefully.

6-Step 6: Slice and Serve Immediately Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bread cool for just a minute long enough so you don’t burn your mouth, but not so long that the cheese starts to firm up. Use a sharp knife to slice each half into serving-sized pieces, typically about 2 inches wide. Serve your extra cheesy garlic bread warm for the best experience. The cheese should still be molten and stringy when you pull the slices apart. This bread makes an excellent companion to pasta dishes like creamy beef and bowtie pasta or a hearty million dollar lasagna for a complete Italian-inspired meal.