Italian Provolone Pull-Apart Bread – a boule-style bread round with melted Provolone, marinara sauce, garlic, and seasonings. So easy and so delicious!
This post is sponsored via the NoshOn.It Publisher Partner Program by BelGioioso – a cheese I use all the time! As always, opinions are my own.)
I made pull-apart bread a few months ago and Trevor said, “it sort of looks like a brain.” And then I kissed him, told him he’s genius, and gave him $500 candy corns.
There are a bazillion recipes available for pull-apart bread, all varied by the type of loaf you use, seasonings, and of course, cheese. I wanted an Italian taste this time around, but not too strong, so I went with my trusted BelGioioso provolone. It’s mild, but also rich and flavorful.
BelGioioso provolone is available at various retailers across the country, but I usually buy the 2-pound pack at Costco. The last time was when I had a group of friends over a month ago. One of them said, “that’s a lot of cheese. How do you use it all?” to which I laughed, “Oh, that is never a problem.”
One of the nice things is, the packaging is resealable, so it stays fresh for a long time.
Their provolone is made from Wisonsin milk, high quality, and aged for 60 days. I use it a lot in every day sandwiches, but I love that it melts well, making it perfect for this bread!
BRAIN BREAD. How awesome is this for Halloween? And a great savory option, which are few and far between.
- 1 pound round boule-style loaf of sourdough
- 6 slices provolone cheese , cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 2 large garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- chopped fresh parsley , to garnish
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rip off a large enough piece of foil to wrap around the loaf; coat with nonstick spray and place on a baking sheet.
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Cut the loaf of bread into 1-inch slices with a serrated knife, leaving about 1/4-inch of the base of the bread intact. Repeat cuts in the opposite direction to create a crosshatch/cubed pattern. Place bread on the foil.
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Press provolone pieces between all the slices of bread.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, marinara, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Gently pry apart the bread pieces and drizzle the mixture over the loaf evenly, making sure to get in all the seams and cover all the pieces.
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Wrap the bread up in the foil. Bake for 15 minutes.
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Open up the foil, increase oven temperature to 425 degrees, and bake another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving, sprinkle with parsley, pull apart the pieces and enjoy!
Dani H says
Another recipe to which I can only say…. Mmmmm! Yummy!
Melody Mendenhall says
This looks so yummy! My hubby and I bake our own sourdough and this looks like a great recipe to try out on our next loaf! :)
Amy @Very Culinary says
Awesome, enjoy!
Josh says
I am new to baking so this might be a dumb question. Do I buy a already cooked loaf of bread or just the dough ?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Josh…not dumb! Already cooked. Look for it in the bread aisle or the bakery.
Carla says
Oh my, this bread looks so tempting right now! I can almost smell it through my screen.
Gerry@ Foodness Gracious says
You seriously nailed and set the bar for this campaign :) Awesome!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Aaah, thank you Gerry!! Best compliment ever :D
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says
This is absolute cheesy perfection! Can’t think of a better dish to make for Halloween!
Joanne says
If you need me in the next 48 hours, I’ll be eating my way into and out of this. OMG. YES.
Tiffany says
Oh wow! This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it at home!
Kristen says
Bread like this is my absolute favorite thing in the world. I could eat the whole loaf!!
Amanda says
This looks amazing!!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
This is perfect for Halloween! I love how you buy the Bel Gioi0so pack at Costco – that’s one of my must gets whenever I’m there.
Stephanie says
Bread and cheese? Yes, please! I have to find a reason to make this. Like, ASAP.
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
Me + this bread + 5 minutes = Pac Man situation followed by a 5lb weight gain. And you know what? Worth it!
Jenny Flake says
What a gorgeous pull apart bread! Making this stat!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This bread looks amazing! I would totally eat it all…haha.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I am dying for a piece of this!
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
Ohhh brain bread! how clever. Love that!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh. My. Gosh. Dying for this. And I need to get that provolone for Jordan. She’s addicted!
Lora @cakeduchess says
Brain bread for Halloween…yes! but, I’m thinking more for me now! Love this recipe, Amy.
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Adding this to my must-try soon list! So delicious!
valentina says
What a delicious bundle of ingredients. True comfort food!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
This looks heavenly!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
One of my favorite kinds of bread (the pull apart I mean), I can’t wait to try this version! I love the idea of calling it brain bread for Halloween!
Amanda @The Kitcheneer says
This bread is definitely calling to me! Pull apart bread is a must when I make Italian! Pinning!
Ginny McMeans says
Looks delicious and I love your thoughts of Brain Bread!
Mary says
I want this in front of me asap. What an awesome pull apart bread combination!
Nicole says
Haha, love this Brain Bread! It looks so ooey-gooey cheesy … which is my favorite kind of food!
Karly says
Brain bread! Love it! And I love BelGioioso cheese! So good!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I love the fresh perspective husbands can give sometimes! Ha ha! Great idea:) And simply loving these photos. Makes me want to tear off a bite right now!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Anyone who knows my husband, would think he came up with the name… but Trevor is actually my 6YO! Lol.
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
I consider myself to be the queen of Halloween, so this is perfect for fright night!! It’s beautiful too and perfect for any time of year. Pinning!
Amy @Very Culinary says
I absolutely love Halloween, too. *big high five* Thanks, Cathy!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Brain bread!! I love it! Such a great idea for a Halloween party.
Lindsey | Cafe Johnsonia says
This is so brilliant! My kids would go crazy over this. We are planning a Halloween party with their friends and I’ve been trying to come up with fun ideas that kids (and their parents) would like. Love this!
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
I’m all about the savoury Halloween options, not having much of a sweet tooth. I could probably polish off an entire loaf of your ‘brain bread’ by myself. :D
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
wow..you nailed this recipe! I was laughing so hard after reading the first paragraph :)
Amy @Very Culinary says
HEE. If Trevor were older, I probably would give him cash. He earned it!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
This looks like perfection! My family would devour this so fast!
Mom says
What a beautiful presentation bread, and it sounds and looks delicious. If we eat this, how much smarter will we become?!!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Bwah! That sounds like something Paul would say! Nice, Mom.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
OMG what an amazing recipe!
Christine at Cook the Story says
I just love your creative name for this pull apart bread!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I need to try this! I swear my mouth started watering when I saw it.
Amy @Very Culinary says
That’s the best, Rachel. Thank you!
Sues says
This looks so delicious and I kind of love that you call it brain bread!!