Easy Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe

There is something so comforting about baking a fresh loaf of Italian Herb and Cheese Bread at home. The smell of warm bread mixed with garlic, herbs, and melted cheese fills your kitchen in the most cozy, irresistible way. Every time I make it, my family magically appears in the kitchen before it even comes out of the oven.

This Italian Herb and Cheese Bread turns out soft, fluffy, and perfectly savory. It pairs beautifully with pasta, soup, or even as the base for the most amazing sandwiches. The best part? You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps. If you can mix and knead, you can absolutely make this bread.

Whether you serve it for a weeknight dinner, holiday gathering, or just because you crave homemade comfort, this recipe delivers every single time.

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INGREDIENTS

Here’s everything you need to make this soft and flavorful Italian Herb and Cheese Bread. I kept it simple and beginner-friendly, but the flavor tastes bakery-level amazing.

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (440 g)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (7 g / 1 packet)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12 g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (6 g)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (6 g)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (3 g)
• 1 cup warm milk, about 110°F (240 ml at 43°C)
• ¼ cup warm water, about 110°F (60 ml at 43°C)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 large egg, room temperature

For the Cheese Filling:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (115 g)
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (50 g)

Optional Topping:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter (14 g)
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (1 g)
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan (8 g)

INSTRUCTIONS

Let’s bake this beautiful, golden Italian Herb and Cheese Bread together. Don’t worry — I’ll walk you through every step.

1. Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (110°F / 43°C), warm water (110°F / 43°C), sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be inactive, so start fresh.

2. Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Add the foamy yeast mixture, olive oil, and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough feels smooth, soft, and slightly elastic.

If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle in a little flour — but don’t overdo it. You want it soft, not dense.

4. First Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

5. Add the Cheese

Punch down the dough gently. Roll it out into a rectangle about 9×12 inches (23×30 cm).

Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the dough. Roll it up tightly from the short side, like a jelly roll.

Pinch the seam closed and place the loaf seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan.

6. Second Rise

Cover and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes, until puffy.

7. Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Bake the Italian Herb and Cheese Bread for 25–30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent it with foil during the last 10 minutes.

8. Optional Finishing Touch

Brush the warm bread with melted butter and sprinkle extra Italian seasoning and Parmesan on top for even more flavor.

Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. I know it’s hard to wait… but trust me, it slices better.

TIPS & VARIATIONS

Let’s make your Italian Herb and Cheese Bread absolutely perfect every single time. These little tips make a big difference.

Baking Tips

• Use warm, not hot liquids. Keep the milk and water around 110°F (43°C). If they feel too hot to touch, they can kill the yeast.
• Don’t add too much flour. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky. Too much flour makes the bread dense.
• Let it rise fully. If your kitchen feels cold, place the bowl inside your oven with just the light on. It creates the perfect warm environment.
• Check doneness properly. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped, and the internal temperature should reach about 190°F (88°C).

Cheese Variations

• Swap mozzarella for provolone for a sharper flavor.
• Add shredded cheddar (115 g / 1 cup) for a richer taste.
• Mix in a little shredded Asiago (50 g / ½ cup) for a bakery-style twist.

Flavor Twists

• Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (5 g) for an earthy touch.
• Mix in 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (2 g) if you like a little heat.
• Brush the top with garlic butter instead of plain butter for extra bold flavor.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Store Italian Herb and Cheese Bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze sliced bread in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat at 325°F (165°C) until warm.
• Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.

STEP 7 – SERVING IDEAS

This Italian Herb and Cheese Bread shines in so many ways. You can keep it simple or turn it into the star of the table.

Perfect with Dinner

• Serve it warm alongside spaghetti, lasagna, or creamy Alfredo.
• Pair it with tomato soup for the ultimate cozy meal.
• Use it to soak up olive oil with balsamic vinegar for an easy appetizer.

Make Incredible Sandwiches

• Slice it thick and make grilled cheese. The extra herbs make it next-level delicious.
• Use it for Italian-style sandwiches with turkey, salami, or roasted veggies.
• Toast slices and top with avocado, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Great for Gatherings

• Serve it at holiday dinners instead of plain rolls.
• Cut it into cubes for a cheese board.
• Bring it to potlucks — everyone always asks for the recipe.

Honestly, this Italian Herb and Cheese Bread rarely lasts long in my house. It disappears slice by slice

FAQs

Here are the most common questions about making Italian Herb and Cheese Bread, so you feel completely confident before baking.

1. How do I store Italian Herb and Cheese Bread?

Store it in an airtight container or wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze slices in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

2. Can I make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. The slow rise actually enhances the flavor. Let it come to room temperature before baking.

3. Can I substitute the cheese?

Absolutely. You can use provolone, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a blend. Just keep the total amount around 1 ½ cups (165 g) for best texture.

4. Why didn’t my bread rise properly?

Inactive yeast usually causes this issue. Always check that your liquids are around 110°F (43°C). If the yeast doesn’t foam during activation, start with fresh yeast.

5. Can I freeze Italian Herb and Cheese Bread?

Yes. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature and reheat at 325°F (165°C) until warm.

6. What’s the biggest mistake to avoid?

Avoid adding too much flour. Soft dough creates soft bread. If the dough feels slightly sticky, that’s perfectly fine.

Recipe

Yield: 1 loaf

Italian Herb and Cheese Bread

Print

This Italian Herb and Cheese Bread is soft, fluffy, and packed with savory herbs and melty cheese. It’s perfect for pasta night, sandwiches, or holiday dinners.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (440 g)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (7 g / 1 packet)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12 g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (6 g)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (6 g)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (3 g)
• 1 cup warm milk (240 ml at 110°F / 43°C)
• ¼ cup warm water (60 ml at 110°F / 43°C)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 large egg

For the Cheese Filling:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (115 g)
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (50 g)

Optional Topping:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter (14 g)
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (1 g)
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan (8 g)

Instructions

1. Combine warm milk (110°F / 43°C), warm water (110°F / 43°C), sugar, and yeast. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
   
2. Mix flour, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
   
3. Add yeast mixture, olive oil, and egg. Mix until dough forms.
   
4. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   
5. Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise 1 hour until doubled.
   
6. Roll dough into a 9×12-inch (23×30 cm) rectangle. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly. Roll tightly and seal seam.
   
7. Place seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan. Let it rise 30–40 minutes.
   
8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Internal temperature should reach 190°F (88°C).
   
9. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle extra seasoning if desired. Cool 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not over-flour the dough. Soft dough makes soft bread.

If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the last 10 minutes.

Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting results.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 240

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used.

I truly hope you fall in love with this Italian Herb and Cheese Bread the same way I did the first time I pulled it out of the oven. There is something so special about slicing into a warm, golden loaf that you made with your own hands. It feels cozy, comforting, and honestly a little magical.

This Italian Herb and Cheese Bread works beautifully for weeknight dinners, holiday tables, or even as the base for the most delicious sandwiches. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again because it’s that easy and that flavorful.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and tell me how it turned out. I absolutely love hearing your baking stories. And don’t forget to save this Italian Herb and Cheese Bread to Pinterest so you can find it anytime you need a reliable, homemade bread recipe. 💛