Easy Cheesy Texas Toast has saved dinner at my house more times than I can count. You know those nights when the clock moves too fast and everyone is starving? This buttery, garlicky, cheesy toast steps in like a hero. It bakes up golden at the edges, soft in the middle, and it smells like a cozy Italian restaurant. My family hovers by the oven waiting for the cheese to bubble. If you need something fast, crowd-pleasing, and straight up delicious, this is it.
Texas Toast Ingredients
This recipe leans on simple pantry stuff and a few tricks for big flavor. Thick slices are key, and a well-seasoned butter mix is what turns good bread into irresistible bread. Here’s what I use and why it works.
The Story Behind This Recipe
From my kitchen to yours—Easy Cheesy Texas Toast mixes a little nostalgia with bright flavor. Tested, tasted, and ready for your table. Easy Cheesy Texas Toast has saved dinner at my house more times than I can count. You know those nights when the clock moves too fast…
- 8 slices thick-cut Texas toast bread or thick Italian bread
- 6 tablespoons softened real butter – salted or unsalted works
- 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced, or 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella for that stretchy pull
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for salty, nutty flavor
- Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
- Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil to thin the butter for easier spreading
- Optional: crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, or a little paprika for color
Ingredient swaps that still hit the spot: Monterey Jack or provolone instead of mozzarella, or a blend for more flavor; finely chopped chives in place of parsley; plant-based butter and dairy-free cheese if you need it. Keep the bread thick, the butter garlicky, and the cheese generous. That’s the path to the toast of your dreams.
How to Make Texas Toast Garlic Bread
This is truly easy. You’ll mix up a quick garlic butter, slather it on thick bread, top with cheese, and then let heat do its magic. I’ll walk you through both bake and broil options, plus a couple fail-safes so you don’t over-toast it.
Prep the Pan and Bread
Preheat your oven to 425°F or set the broiler to high if you want fast results. Line a baking sheet with foil for simple cleanup. Lay the bread in a single layer so every slice browns evenly. If your bread feels a little soft, let it sit out on the counter for 5 minutes. Slightly drier bread crisps up better on the edges while staying soft inside.
Make the Garlic Butter
In a bowl, combine softened butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. If the butter feels stiff, splash in a teaspoon or two of olive oil so it spreads smoothly. Use the back of a spoon to work everything together until it’s creamy and easy to smear. Spread a generous layer, edge to edge, on each slice. Don’t skimp on the corners – that’s where toast tends to dry out if you miss a spot.
Broil or Bake to Bubbly Perfection
Top each slice with mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. For baking, slide the tray onto the middle rack and bake 6 to 8 minutes, until the edges get golden and the cheese melts fully. For broiling, put the tray on the upper rack and broil for 2 to 4 minutes. Watch like a hawk – broilers go from perfect to burnt fast. You want bubbling cheese and light browning without hardening the center.
If you like both sides crispy, flip the bread once under the broiler for 45 seconds before adding the butter and cheese. That extra step gives a tiny crunch under a soft, buttery center. Pure comfort.
“I made this on a busy weeknight and my kids literally cheered when they saw the cheese bubbling. We ate every slice. Zero leftovers. New family favorite.” – Mariah G.
Lazy breakfast hack for tomorrow: warm a slice and top it with a fried egg. If you love a good throwback breakfast, you might also like this creamed chipped beef on toast. It’s classic, cozy, and tastes great with a side of garlicky bread.
Cheesy Texas Toast and Variations
Once you’ve got the base down, you can dress this toast a hundred ways. The key is balance – enough cheese to pull, enough seasoning to pop, and just a little color to make it look as good as it tastes.
My Go-To Combos
Four-cheese blend: mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and a pinch of sharp cheddar. Extra melty and a little sharpness to keep it interesting.
Herb and heat: a pinch of crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, and a dusting of smoked paprika. You’ll smell it before you see it – heavenly.
Garlic ranch: whisk a teaspoon of dry ranch seasoning into your butter. Add mozzarella and a little cheddar for richness.
Pesto swirl: spread the garlic butter, then add tiny spoonfuls of pesto before the cheese. Bright, herby, and beautiful. If you’re in a festive mood, try this equally cheesy and fun appetizer, the pesto cheesy puff pastry tree. It’s a total crowd-pleaser.
Make it a meal: spread a spoonful of marinara on each slice, top with mini pepperoni and extra cheese, and broil for quick “pizza toast.” Or keep it simple and let the bread shine. Either way, this is comfort food done right. Easy Cheesy Texas Toast is also a smart way to use up leftover cheese odds and ends in your fridge.
What to Serve Texas Toast With
Honestly, I could eat this on its own, but it loves company. Here are simple pairings that work every time.
- Soup night hero: pair with tomato soup or a cozy bowl of pasta soup. I love it with this easy crockpot lasagna soup – full of flavor and so comforting.
- Pasta or red-sauce dishes: spaghetti and meat sauce, baked ziti, or ravioli.
- Grilled proteins: chicken, steak, or shrimp. If you like seafood, check out these tasty Texas Roadhouse style grilled shrimp for a fun dinner combo.
- Salad nights: Caesar, chopped Italian, or a simple tomato cucumber salad with balsamic.
- Comfort sides: serve alongside something crispy like cheesy mashed potato puffs to make everyone extra happy.
- Dessert finish: keep the theme going with chocolate or a classic Texas treat. I often end with these Texas sheet cake bites – they’re rich and totally worth it.
For gatherings, cut the toast diagonally and arrange it on a platter with warm marinara for dipping. It disappears fast, so make extra. Easy Cheesy Texas Toast is party-friendly, kid-friendly, and honestly adult-approved by even the picky eaters in my house.
How to Store & Reheat Texas Toast
Leftovers reheat beautifully if you store them right. Here’s how to keep the edges crisp, the middle soft, and the cheese melty.
Fridge: Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container with parchment between slices. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
Freezer: Place slices on a sheet pan and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Store up to 2 months. You can freeze uncooked, fully assembled slices too – just add 1 to 2 minutes to cook time.
Oven reheat: Bake at 375°F for 6 to 8 minutes. For extra crunch, place the pan on the lower-middle rack for the first half, then move it up to finish.
Air fryer reheat: 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep an eye on it – cheese can jump from melted to crispy fast.
Skillet trick: If you only have a couple slices, warm them in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat with the lid on for 2 to 3 minutes, then lid off for the last minute. This keeps the middle soft and melts cheese without making the bottom too hard.
Food safety note: if your toast sat out for more than 2 hours after baking, skip storing it. Make a new batch next time – it only takes a few minutes and tastes fresh again. When reheating, always warm until the cheese is fully melted and the bread is hot to the touch.
Common Questions
Can I use regular sandwich bread? Yes, but toast it a bit longer to avoid sogginess. The thicker the slice, the better the result.
Is fresh garlic better than powder? Fresh gives stronger aroma and flavor, but garlic powder is great for speed and even seasoning. I use both depending on my mood.
Why did my toast burn on broil? Broilers vary. Keep the rack 6 inches from the heat and watch constantly during the last minute. Pull it as soon as you see golden spots.
Can I make it ahead? Absolutely. Assemble slices, refrigerate on a tray, then bake or broil within 24 hours. If the butter firms up, bake an extra minute.
What cheeses melt the best? Mozzarella for stretch, provolone for flavor, and a touch of Parmesan for depth. A blend gives the best texture and taste.
Ready to Make Your Kitchen Smell Amazing
There’s something so satisfying about a tray of buttery, garlicky slices coming out of the oven. Easy Cheesy Texas Toast delivers that perfect combo of crispy edges and a soft center with gooey cheese on top. Keep the ingredients on hand and you’ve always got a fast side or snack ready to go.
If you want even more tips and a second take on technique, this guide for Easy Cheesy Texas Toast Garlic Bread is helpful, and I also like the straightforward method in Texas Toast With Cheese. However you make it, I hope it becomes your go-to for busy nights and cozy weekends alike. Now preheat that oven and treat yourself to a slice of cheesy happiness.
Easy Cheesy Texas Toast
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F or set the broiler to high.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and lay the bread in a single layer.
- If the bread feels a little soft, let it sit out on the counter for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine softened butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- If the butter feels stiff, splash in a teaspoon or two of olive oil.
- Mix everything together until it’s creamy and easy to spread.
- Spread a generous layer on each slice of bread, ensuring to cover the corners.
- Top each slice with mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- For baking, slide the tray onto the middle rack and bake for 6 to 8 minutes.
- For broiling, place the tray on the upper rack and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching closely.
- For extra crunch, flip the bread once under the broiler for 45 seconds before adding toppings.
