Description
A cheesy, herby, crusty-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside homemade bread that smells like a cozy Italian kitchen. Made with mozzarella, parmesan, and a blend of dried Italian herbs, this easy yeast bread is perfect for pairing with soups, salads, or just warm with butter. Comforting, delicious, and anything but boring!!
Ingredients
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3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
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1 tbsp sugar
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2 tsp instant yeast
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1 ¼ tsp salt
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1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp dried basil
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½ tsp dried thyme
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
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Optional: ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Stir in the salt, olive oil, garlic powder, and dried herbs. Gradually mix in the flour until a shaggy dough forms.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
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Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
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Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle. Sprinkle with mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar (if using). Roll into a loaf or shape into a round boule.
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Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment or in a loaf pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly crisp.
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Let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
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Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried—just triple the amount.
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Feel free to get creative with cheese—provolone, gouda, or fontina work beautifully.
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If your bread browns too quickly, tent it with foil halfway through baking.
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Freezes well! Slice, wrap, and store in an airtight bag for up to 3 months.
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Great as a sandwich base, soup dipper, or straight out of the oven with butter.
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Don’t skip the cooling step—it helps the crumb set properly for clean slices!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Italian herbs and cheese bread, cheesy bread, homemade bread, herb bread, savory bread