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Let me share my absolute favorite twist on garlic bread - these incredible Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots! I discovered this recipe when I was craving something special for pasta night and oh my goodness they've become our family's most requested side dish. Picture soft doughy knots filled with melty cheese and covered in buttery garlic goodness. Trust me your kitchen will smell like heaven!
Why You Need These In Your Life
These aren't your ordinary garlic knots! That surprise pocket of gooey cheese inside takes them to a whole new level. I love how versatile they are whether we're having a cozy family pasta night or hosting game day these always disappear in minutes. Plus they're way easier to make than you'd think!
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Fresh pizza dough use store-bought to keep it simple.
- Good mozzarella cheese cut into little cubes.
- Real butter please no substitutes here!
- Fresh garlic minced up nice and fine.
- Bright fresh parsley for that perfect finish.
- Just a pinch of salt to make everything pop.
- Marinara sauce for dipping if you're feeling fancy.
Let's Make Magic Together
- Prep Your Dough
- Divide it into 12 pieces this is where the fun begins!
- Cheese Time
- Tuck that cheese inside and seal it up tight like a little present.
- Knot It Up
- Roll and tie each one it's easier than it looks!
- Garlic Butter Heaven
- Mix up that amazing garlic butter brush it on with love.
- Into The Oven
- Let them bake until golden and gorgeous.
- Final Touch
- More garlic butter because why not? Sprinkle with parsley and serve them warm!
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My Best Tips
Here's what I've learned from making countless batches: fresh dough makes all the difference and really pinch those edges tight we don't want any cheese escaping! Don't skimp on the garlic butter it's what makes these irresistible. And always always serve them warm!
Mix It Up
Sometimes I use sharp cheddar instead of mozzarella for extra flavor. My spice-loving husband adds red pepper flakes to his portion and I love mixing herbs into the garlic butter. They're so fun to experiment with!
Perfect Pairings
We love these with a big bowl of marinara sauce for dipping. They're amazing alongside spaghetti or lasagna and honestly perfect with just a glass of wine for a cozy night in. Game day? Double the recipe trust me!
Keep Them Fresh
These knots stay good for a couple days in an airtight container but they rarely last that long at my house! If you want to plan ahead freeze them before baking then just pop them in the oven when you need them. Five extra minutes and they're perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Yes, both store-bought or homemade pizza dough work well. Just ensure the dough is at room temperature for easier shaping.
- → Why do my knots leak cheese?
Make sure to pinch all seams tightly closed and avoid overfilling with cheese. A good seal prevents cheese from leaking during baking.
- → Can these be made ahead?
You can shape and stuff the knots ahead of time, then refrigerate. Brush with garlic butter just before baking.
- → What's the best cheese to use?
Mozzarella works best as it melts well and stretches nicely. You could also mix in other melting cheeses like provolone.
- → Why brush with butter twice?
The first brushing flavors the knots while baking, while the second adds extra garlic butter flavor and shine to the finished knots.
Conclusion
Cheese-filled garlic knots are a delightful appetizer that combines soft bread dough, melted cheese, and a flavorful garlic butter coating. Simple to make and perfect for entertaining, these knots are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.