Easy Cheese Bread

4.80 from 20 votes
Jump to RecipeEmail Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This homemade cheese bread is a cross between pizza and garlic bread. Make it as a perfect side to any Italian-inspired dish!

Cheese bread in a hand.
Email me this recipe
Plus, enjoy weekly doses of recipe inspiration!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

It’s Time for Cheese Bread

You’re going to absolutely love this cheese bread that’s so much better than takeout! With an easy homemade crust, and a cheesy Italian topping that’s baked to golden brown perfection. Add this as a side to any Italian dish!

why you’ll love it!

Italian Cheesy Deliciousness: This cheese bread is made with 2 different cheeses and Italian seasoning.

Perfect with Pasta: We highly suggest serving this cheese bread with your favorite pasta dish. Try this Easy Mushroom Pasta or Baked Ravioli.

You can freeze it for later: We love that you can make a double batch of this cheese bread and freeze one batch for later.

Ingredients for cheese bread in bowlsl.

For the Crust

  • Active yeast
  • Sugar
  • Lukewarm water
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Olive oil 

For the cheesy topping

  • Unsalted butter 
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning (we used this one!)
Cheese bread dough in a bowl.

How to Make Cheese Bread

make the crust

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, sugar, and ½ cup of water. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom.

Next, add the flour, salt, and 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Using the dough hook attachment to knead for 5 minutes or by hand for 10 minutes. Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough ball and cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes. 

Top cheese Bread

Preheat the oven to 450℉, and transfer the dough onto a baking sheet. Using your hands press it into a 9×6 inch rectangle. Spread the butter onto the top of the dough. Then, sprinkle on the mozzarella and parmesan and season with the Italian seasoning. 

Bake CHeese Bread

Bake for 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Let cool briefly and then slice the bread into rectangles. Dip in marinara sauce, and enjoy!

Top Tips for Perfect Cheese Bread

Choose your favorite cheese: Provolone, asiago, and romano cheese can all easily be added or swapped with any of the cheeses. 

Double this recipe: after the dough has risen for 30 minutes divide into two balls to make two batches of cheese bread. 

Italian seasoning can vary greatly: We use homemade Italian seasoning. If you use a store bought Italian seasoning, you may want to taste test before adding any additional salt.

Cheese bread after being baked.

Storage

Let the cheese bread cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating Instructions: Preheat the oven to broil and place the cheese bread on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes.

How to Freeze Cheese Bread

If you would like to freeze your cheese bread for later, follow the instructions and let it cool completely, and then place a piece of parchment paper in between each slice and place in a freezer safe bag.

Freeze the cheese bread for up to 3 months.

To reheat the cheese bread from frozen, preheat the oven to 350ºF and place the frozen bread on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cheese bread cut into slices.
4.80 from 20 votes

Cheese Bread

This homemade cheese bread is a cross between pizza and garlic bread. You'll love it! Make it as a perfect side to any Italian-inspired meal.
Prep: 50 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 6
Email me this recipe
Plus, enjoy weekly doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • ½ teaspoon active yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¾ cup lukewarm water
  • 1.25 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, ~2 cups
  • 3 oz. grated parmesan cheese, ~¼ cup
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, sugar, and ½ cup of water. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom. It should look creamy or have a foamy top.
  • Next, add the flour, salt, and 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Using the dough hook attachment to knead for 5 minutes or by hand for 10 minutes.
  • Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough ball and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 450℉.
  • Transfer the dough onto a baking sheet. Using your hands press it into a 9 inch by 6 inch rectangle.
  • Spread the butter onto the top of the dough. Then, sprinkle on the mozzarella and parmesan. Season with the Italian seasoning.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  • Let cool briefly and then slice the bread into rectangles.

Watch It

Nutrition

Calories: 349 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 16 g, Fat: 21 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

love this? leave a comment below!

Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #cheeseknees, we’d love to see what you’re up to!

Similar Recipes:

About Emily Richter

Emily spent the first 10 years of her career in marketing and advertising roles and started side-hustling with our sister site, Fit Foodie Finds, in Fall of 2015. She joined the team full-time in the Spring of 2018. Em lives in Minneapolis with her husband and dog, and manages The Cheese Knees (and Fit Foodie Finds) business operations as well as all things sponsorships and brand collaborations.

0 0 votes
Recipe Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




Recipe Rating

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments