Cheesy Bread With Marinara
Ingredients
- 1 Italian loaf or rustic baguette
- 5 tbsp. olive oil
- ½-pound mozzarella, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¾ tsp. dried oregano
- 2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced
- ½ tsp. red-pepper flakes
- 1-¾ cups marinara sauce
- ½ tsp. sherry vinegar, optional
- 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
- Halve the loaf lengthwise almost all the way through, leaving it attached on one side.
- Open it, lay it flat and brush the insides with 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil.
- Tuck in the mozzarella, then sprinkle with salt and ¼ teaspoon oregano.
- Close, then wrap tightly with foil.
- Place on a sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, garlic, remaining ½ teaspoon oregano and red-pepper flakes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant; bout 1 minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and adjust the heat to bring it to a gentle boil.
- Stir in the sherry vinegar, if using.
- Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the bread is ready; about 15 minutes more.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the sauce to a bowl or serve from the pan; top with grated Parmesan.
- Slice the bread, or let everyone pull the pieces apart themselves.
- Keep wrapped until ready to serve.
Notes
Try brushing the bread with garlic and oil, or melted butter, before adding the mozzarella — makes a delicious cheesy jazzed up garlic bread.