Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread wafting through your kitchen. This loaf is a perfect blend of savory herbs and melty cheese, encased in a golden, crusty exterior. It makes a fantastic accompaniment for soups, pastas, or simply as a flavorful snack on its own. If you’re looking for a bread recipe that combines robust flavor with ease of preparation, this is your go-to.

Deliciously Unique Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

This bread stands out for its irresistibly fragrant mix of Italian herbs—think oregano, basil, and rosemary—paired with gooey, golden cheese baked right into the dough. The fusion creates a soft inside, a gently crisp outside, and a taste that transports you straight to a rustic Italian kitchen. This is a crowd pleaser that transforms any meal into something special.

Crafting the Perfect Herb and Cheese Blend

For maximum flavor, use a medley of fresh or dried Italian herbs and a mix of finely grated cheeses. Mozzarella gives stretch, while parmesan offers a sharp, salty bite. Blend your herbs and cheese thoroughly so that every slice bursts with flavor in every bite. For a deeper herb aroma, rub dried herbs gently between your fingers before adding them to the mix; this releases their essential oils.

Assembling and Baking Your Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

After preparing your dough and letting it rise, stretch it gently into a loaf, sprinkle generously with your cheese and herb mixture, and shape as desired. A final brush with olive oil on top creates a gorgeous, golden crust and helps the herbs and cheese stick. Bake until the loaf is deeply golden, then let it cool slightly before slicing, so the cheese sets and flavors meld together beautifully.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

Serve thick slices warm, paired with a hearty tomato soup or as the ultimate base for a gourmet sandwich. This bread also pairs beautifully with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, or alongside a vibrant salad. Its rich flavor means it’s perfect for entertaining, whether as an appetizer or part of a dinner spread.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 1 large loaf, with approximately 10–12 slices. Each slice contains around 180–200 calories, depending on cheese and herb amounts. It’s a worthy treat, packed with flavor and satisfying as part of a balanced meal.

Deliciously Unique Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread (Recap)

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread brings together the tang of cheese and the perfume of classic Italian herbs for a loaf that’s as versatile as it is delicious—perfect for impressing family, guests, or even yourself!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section, making grocery trips and meal planning quick and efficient.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, and garlic powder. Mix well.
2. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the dough by hand (about 8–10 minutes) or with a mixer (5–6 minutes) until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Gently knead in the mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning, making sure the cheese and herbs are well distributed.
5. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place in a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle on any remaining cheese, herbs, and fresh parsley or basil, if using.
8. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is fantastic for meal prepping and planning your week’s menu. Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to slot it into your weekly plan and instantly generate smart, consolidated shopping lists from all your chosen recipes.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically adds up all ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections for faster, easier trips
– Reduces food waste by preventing overbuying and duplicate purchases
– Brings efficiency and organization to your home cooking routine

Pro tip: When planning several meals, schedule your recipes to see where ingredients overlap—so if you need mozzarella for this bread and another meal, the app calculates your total needed. Streamlining your shopping and meal prep has never been easier!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour rising)
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes