This Cheeseburger Garlic Bread is everything I love about a juicy cheeseburger, made with seasoned beef, melty cheddar, and tangy sauce, all served on crispy garlic toast. It makes the perfect cheeseburger appetizer for game day or gatherings, but it’s also a fun, satisfying option for easy dinner ideas! If you love appetizers that eat like a meal, you’ve got to try my Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes next. They’ve got the same crispy garlic base, but are topped with homemade sloppy joe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Garlic Texas Toast: Look for frozen Garlic Texas Toast in the freezer aisle; it’s thick, buttery, and holds up perfectly under all the toppings. If you can’t find it, regular garlic toast or even thick-cut French bread brushed with garlic butter works just as well.
- Ground Beef: I used ground beef for the classic burger flavor. But ground turkey or chicken are great lighter options.
- Hamburger Seasoning: If you don’t have hamburger seasoning on hand, make your own! Then, you will have it on hand for Cheeseburger Dip, too!
- Cheese: We can’t have a cheeseburger or this cheeseburger garlic bread without cheese! I use shredded sharp cheddar cheese for its bold, melty goodness that pairs perfectly with the beef. But feel free to mix it up. American, pepper jack, mozzarella, or a cheddar blend all melt beautifully and give the dish a different flavor.
- Burger Sauce: The burger sauce is creamy, tangy, and just a little smoky. It reminds me of a kicked-up version of your favorite fast food sauce. It’s made with sour cream, ketchup, mustard, and a splash of red wine vinegar, and it really pulls all the flavors together. If you’re not feeling the classic burger sauce, try drizzling some fry sauce or a tangy dill pickle ranch over the top!
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Garlic Bread
This cheeseburger garlic bread is the perfect balance of crispy, cheesy, and flavorful in every bite. The garlic toast adds a satisfying crunch while the savory beef and rich cheddar bring all the classic cheeseburger vibes. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up, making it a go-to for last-minute dinners or crowd-pleasing party appetizers.
Can I Make Garlic Bread Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the beef mixture and burger sauce up to a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. Assemble the garlic bread just before baking to keep the toast crispy. If you want to get even more ahead, you can fully assemble the slices, cover them tightly, and refrigerate. Then, bake right before serving. Just note that baking time might be a few minutes longer if going straight from the refrigerator.
Tips for the Best Garlic Bread Base
For crispy, flavorful garlic bread that stands up to all those delicious toppings, start with frozen Garlic Texas Toast or thick-cut bread brushed generously with garlic butter. Don’t skip the partial bake before adding toppings; that helps the bread stay crunchy and prevents sogginess.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Garlic Bread
Cheeseburger garlic bread can be a delicious appetizer, but it is hearty enough to be part of a delicious meal, too! Here are some tasty options I would recommend:
- Wedge Salad
- Crispy Onion Rings
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Roasted Potato Salad (the BEST!)
- Coleslaw
- Roasted Potato Wedges
- Roasted Carrots (or Air Fryer Carrots)
How To Store & Reheat Cheeseburger Garlic Bread
To keep leftovers fresh, store your cheeseburger garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy again. I would not recommend microwaving it, as it can make the bread soggy.
Can I Freeze Cheeseburger Garlic Bread?
Absolutely! To freeze, assemble the cheeseburger garlic bread on a baking sheet and flash-freeze until the beef and cheese are firm (about 1–2 hours). Then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Cheeseburger Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 box (11.25 ounces) Frozen Garlic Texas Toast, 8-count
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons hamburger seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Burger Sauce
- ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Toppings
- dill pickles, finely diced
- cherry tomatoes, finely diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the garlic Texas toast slices on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 8 minutes to partially cook the bread.
- While the bread is baking, prepare the cheeseburger mixture.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in yellow mustard, hamburger seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until well combined and heated through. Remove from heat.
- Remove the bread from the oven. Gently press down the center of each slice with the back of a spoon or a small measuring cup to create a shallow well.
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly into the wells of the garlic toast slices.
- Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef.
- Return the tray to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- While the bread is baking, in a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, ketchup, red wine vinegar, mustard, and paprika until smooth. Set aside.
- Once the garlic bread is out of the oven, drizzle each slice with the prepared burger sauce.
- Top with finely diced dill pickles and cherry tomatoes.
- Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I love how crispy the garlic bread is with the cheesy beef mixture on top!
Elizabeth
I love this! What an easy recipe, and it goes well with lots of sides for a complete meal, which I like.
Stephanie
This is a fun and tasty variation of a regular cheeseburger. I would add extra pickles to mine!
Bella
This is a great mash-up of a burger and garlic bread! Yum!
love the recipe and i am going to try it this week and everyone should try it!
Easy to make & delicious