Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheese & Add-ins
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, active dry yeast, sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir to make sure everything is evenly distributed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the warm water and olive oil into the dry mixture. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir until a dough just comes together.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: About 10 minutes before the dough is ready, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add Cheeses and Herbs: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air bubbles. Gently fold in the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and parsley (if using) until distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Loaf: Form the dough into a loaf shape and place it onto a greased baking sheet or into a loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Let the dough rest and rise for another 10–15 minutes, uncovered, to slightly puff up.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven. Allow it to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm, or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella and Parmesan with other cheeses like provolone or gouda for a different flavor profile.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
- Sun-dried tomatoes or chopped olives make tasty additions for extra Mediterranean flavor.
- For a slightly sweeter loaf, add a teaspoon of honey along with the wet ingredients.
- Store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days or freeze it for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 8 servings)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
