Walking into Marie Callender’s, the first thing that hits you isn’t the sight of their famous pies but the incredible aroma of their legendary garlic toast wafting from the kitchen. That perfect combination of herb-infused butter, toasted bread, and bubbling cheese has made countless diners linger over empty soup bowls to savor one more bite. After years of trying to recreate this restaurant favorite, I finally cracked the code to their irresistible garlic toast that transforms simple French bread into pure comfort food magic.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The magic happens in the two-stage baking process, ensuring perfectly toasted bread and properly melted cheese. The herb butter mixture combines olive oil with butter, creating a spread penetrating the bread and providing rich flavor. The paprika adds subtle smokiness, while fresh herbs provide brightness that balances the richness of the cheese blend.
Ingredients
- French bread loaf – Provides crusty exterior and soft interior that absorbs herb butter perfectly
- Butter – Creates rich base for herb mixture and adds classic garlic bread flavor
- Olive oil – Helps herb mixture penetrate bread and prevents burning during baking
- Fresh minced garlic – Delivers the signature pungent flavor that defines great garlic toast
- Paprika – Adds subtle smokiness and beautiful color to the herb butter mixture
- Garlic salt – Intensifies garlic flavor while providing the necessary seasoning balance
- Fresh basil – Contributes bright, aromatic herb notes that complement the garlic
- Fresh parsley – Adds color and fresh herb flavor that brightens the rich butter
- Mozzarella cheese – Provides creamy melt and stretchy texture that defines restaurant-style garlic toast
- Parmesan cheese – Adds sharp, nutty flavor and helps create golden-brown cheese topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare oven: Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Slice bread: Cut French bread diagonally into 1-inch thick slices, creating more surface area for butter absorption.
- Make herb butter: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, garlic salt, fresh basil, and parsley.
- Blend ingredients: Stir herb mixture constantly until well combined and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Apply butter mixture: Generously spread herb butter on one side of each bread slice using pastry brush or spoon.
- First bake: Arrange buttered slices on baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes until bread edges are golden brown.
- Add cheese: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over each slice.
- Final bake: Return to oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots.
- Serve immediately: Transfer to serving platter and serve while hot for best texture and flavor.
Chef’s Notes
The key to restaurant-quality results is using fresh herbs rather than dried ones, and ensuring the herb butter is warm when applied so it penetrates the bread properly. Don’t skip the diagonal slicing, as it creates more surface area for butter and cheese.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Freezing: Not recommended as bread becomes soggy and cheese separates when thawed.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover toast in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The quality decreases significantly when chilled.
- Reheating Method: Reheat in 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese re-melts and bread crisps. Never microwave as this creates soggy texture.
Love garlic bread? Try these copycat recipes!
- Brennan’s Garlic Bread
- Commander’s Palace Garlic Bread
- Domino’s Garlic Bread Twists
- Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- North Woods Inn Garlic Cheese Bread
- Pasta House Company Garlic Cheese Bread
Check out my easy bread recipes and the best restaurant copycat recipes on CopyKat!
Marie Callender’s Garlic Toast – Restaurant Copycat
Ingredients
- 4 ounces butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 loaf French bread cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan along with the oil, garlic, paprika, garlic salt, basil, and parsley. Mix well.
- Spread melted butter on each slice of French bread and bake until the bread is just beginning to turn golden.
- Remove the bread from the oven and top each slice with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake until the cheese has melted. Serve warm.
Great recipe! I have a simple easy to make version using only minced garlic and olive oil. Good for vegans and vegetarians.
http://free-vegan.com/vegetarian-garlic-toast-recipe-vegan/
Another Great garlic toast recipe! Like all the others its fantastic!