Italian Cheese and Herb Bread

Name: Italian Cheese and Herb Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: 3 ¼ cups plain white flour / all-purpose flour ((14 oz/390 grams)); 2 ¼ tsp fast action dry yeast ((1 small pack)); 1 tsp caster sugar; ¾ cup milk ((lukewarm)); ¼ cup water ((lukewarm)); 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp olive oil; ¾ cup shredded mozzarella; ¼ cup grated parmesan; 1 ½ tbsp olive oil; 1 clove garlic ((minced)); 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley leaves ((finely chopped)); 1 tsp dried oregano; ⅙ tsp salt

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My homemade Italian Cheese and Herb Bread is a soft and tender loaf with a light crumb and a golden crust. It is topped with mozzarella, Parmesan, and simple herbs like parsley and oregano, along with a little olive oil for extra flavor.

You only need a few everyday ingredients, and the hands-on time is about 10 minutes, which makes it an easy side or something to share at the dinner table.

Two loaves of Italian cheese and herb bread, 1 cut in half.

The inside of this delicious Italian bread stays super soft and pulls apart easily, while the outside turns lightly crisp as it bakes. It’s great to serve with Rice Stuffed Onions - Sogan Dolmasi to mop up the juices, and any leftovers can be sliced and toasted the next day.

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Why This Recipe Works
Ingredients You'll Need
How to Make Italian Cheese and Herb Bread
Recipe Tips From the Chef
Variations
Serving Suggestions
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Recipe FAQS
Related Recipes
Italian Cheese and Herb Bread

Why This Recipe Works

Uses a balanced mix of cheese for flavor without making the bread dense.

Fresh herbs bring a clean, bright taste that keeps the loaf from feeling too rich.

The dough is simple to handle and forgiving for beginner.

A gentle rise creates a soft, airy texture.

It works really well as a side dish to serve with a bowl of Red Pepper and Tomato Soup, or as an easy appetizer along with Zeytoon Parvardeh.

It’s budget-friendly too, so you can enjoy it without spending too much.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

Ingredients for the Dough

Labelled ingredients for the bread dough.

Plain flour (all-purpose flour) - It is perfect for making cakes, cookies, pastries, and thickening sauces.

Yeast - I use fast-action dry yeast for this recipe. The recipe also works with standard active/dry yeast or fresh yeast.

Warm water+milk - They help activate the yeast and bring the dough together. Make sure it feels warm to the touch, not hot, so the yeast can do its job properly.

Ingredients For the Cheese Topping

Cheese - I use a mix of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Other options are provolone cheese, asiago cheese, fontina cheese, and Romano cheese. You can adjust the amount to your preferences.

Olive oil - It adds richness and flavor to the bread. You can also use canola oil, sunflower oil, or vegetable oil.

Flavorings - My favorite flavorings are dried oregano, fresh garlic or garlic powder, and finely chopped fresh parsley.

How to Make Italian Cheese and Herb Bread

In a small bowl, combine the milk, water, dry yeast, and caster sugar.

sugar, water and yeast are placed in a glass bowl

Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

the yeast mixture became fluffy after resting

Add the flour, olive oil, and salt, and mix everything together until a soft, smooth, and elastic dough forms.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you’re using a mixer, about 5 minutes is enough. The dough should feel soft to the touch, not sticky. If it sticks too much, add a small amount of flour, one tablespoon at a time.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

the dough for Italian cheese bread has doubled in size

Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F), grease a baking dish size of 13"x9" (33cmx23cm) with olive oil, and line it with parchment paper.

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Set it aside so the flavors can come together.

Herbs and seasoning are mixed with olive oil in a small bowl.

Once the dough has risen, gently press it down to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and divide it evenly into two portions, since you’re making two loaves.

The bread dough is divided into two pieces.

Roll each portion into a rectangle, roughly about 9x13 inches(23x33 cm). Starting from one long side, roll each piece into a log.

A dough ball is rolled out into a rectangle.

The dough is shaped into a log, the shape of a baguette.

Place each shaped loaf onto a lined baking tray or into loaf tins. If you don’t have a tin, you can use a clean kitchen towel to support the shape; just roll it up and secure it with cling film and a rolling pin to form a baguette-style holder. Cover the loaves loosely and let them rise again for 25 to 30 minutes, until slightly puffy.

Bread loaves are placed on a kitchen towel for a second rise.

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Gently transfer the loaves to a baking tray lined with silicon paper.

2 bread loaves on a parchement paper lined tray.

Brush the herb mixture over the surface of each piece of loaf, making sure to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.

2 bread loaves brushed with an herb and olive oil mixture.

2 bread loaves topped with cheese mixture.

Bake the loaves for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown on top. Let them cool slightly before slicing so the texture settles nicely.

2 cheese bread loaves baked until golden and crispy on the outside.

Recipe Tips From the Chef

Don’t add too much extra flour while kneading; the dough should stay soft.

Give the dough enough time to rise. Follow the recipe's instructions for the recommended rising times to ensure a light and fluffy texture.

Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to add variety to your bread.

Use freshly grated cheese for better melt and flavor.

This easy Italian cheese bread recipe is best enjoyed warm when the cheese is gooey and irresistible. Serve it fresh from the oven or reheat slices in a preheated oven for a few minutes before serving.

Let the bread cool a bit before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.

If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during baking.

Variations

You can adjust this bread in a few simple ways depending on what you have or what you’re in the mood for. Try adding roasted garlic for a deeper, sweeter flavor, or mix in a handful of sun-dried tomatoes for a slightly tangy contrast.

If you like a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes works nicely with the cheese and herbs. You can also swap the herb mix for dried Italian seasoning if fresh herbs aren’t available, though fresh will give a brighter result.

For a richer loaf, brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle extra Parmesan before baking. This creates a slightly crisp, flavorful crust.

Serving Suggestions

Pair the Italian garlic cheese bread with a bowl of Mediterranean Lentil Soup, Turkish Tarhana Soup, or Mercimek Corbasi for a comforting meal.

It also goes well with a bowl of Persian Shirazi Salad, Rocket and Parmesan Salad, or Greek Cucumber Salad for a lighter option.

Serve the bread as a side to your favorite pasta or risotto dishes, such as Chicken and Chorizo Pasta, Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Risotto, Spicy and Creamy Swedish Meatball Pasta, or Lasagna Recipe Without Ricotta Cheese.

You can slice it and use it for sandwiches, or toast it lightly and rub it with a little garlic for a quick side. It’s also good on its own with a drizzle of olive oil or a bit of butter, or served alongside an Italian-style antipasto spread with cured meats, olives, roasted vegetables, and cheeses.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Once the bread has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container or wrap it in foil. It will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place it in the fridge for up to 5 days, though it’s best warmed slightly before serving.

You can also freeze the bread. Slice it first, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat slices in the oven or toaster until warmed through.

Recipe FAQS

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise slowly in the fridge overnight. Bring it back to room temperature before shaping and baking.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour?

Yes, you can use whole wheat flour as a substitute for all purpose flour. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor of the cheesy bread may vary slightly with the use of whole wheat flour.

Why is my Italian Cheese Bread dense?

This can happen if the dough didn’t rise long enough or if too much flour was added. Make sure the dough stays soft and give it enough time to double in size.

For some delicious recipes to pair with Italian Cheese and Herb Bread, why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this Delicious Italian Cheese and Herb Bread as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂