Buttery bread seasoned with garlic and toasted in the oven is a delicious option for nearly any meal. Garlic bread is commonly served with pasta, but it also complements meat and potatoes, dinner salads or soups. A closely supervised baking period is key to avoid overcooking, which results in a tough crust that is too crunchy. Homemade garlic bread often uses a loaf of Italian bread as the base, but any crusty bread works.

Cut the loaf of crusty bread in half horizontally so you have 2 long, thin halves. Use a serrated knife with a sawing action to cut through the bread without squashing it.

Peel 3 cloves of garlic. Smash the cloves with the side of a knife. Chop the garlic if you still have large chunks.

Stir together ½ cup softened butter, the mashed garlic, 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, ¼ tsp. dried rosemary, ¼ tsp. dried thyme and 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese. Spread the butter mixture over both cut sides of the bread. Place the bread halves with the buttered side facing up on a baking sheet.

Bake the garlic bread at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to 10 minutes. Check the bread after eight minutes to look for melted butter and slightly browned edges on the bread. Bake the bread for longer if it isn't as brown as you want. Check the bread every two minutes so it doesn't overcook.

Allow the garlic bread to cool for one to two minutes before cutting it into slices to serve.