Cheesy Bread Recipe
Pizza bread topped with fresh mozzarella cheese.
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Ingredients
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Dough / Bread base
Topping
Finishing
Method
Dough / Bread base
Preheat and prepare dough
Position an oven rack in the middle and preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a baking stone, place it in the oven while preheating. Lightly flour a work surface with the all-purpose flour. Shape the pizza dough into a 12 x 8–10 inch oval or rectangle by pressing and stretching with your hands. Transfer the shaped dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a lightly oiled baking peel.
Brush with oil
Brush the top of the shaped dough evenly with 1 tablespoon olive oil. This helps create a golden crust and prevents the dough from becoming soggy under the toppings.
Topping
Prepare sauce (if using)
If using tomato or pizza sauce, spread about 1 cup of sauce evenly over the oiled dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges for the crust.
Add garlic and seasonings
Evenly sprinkle the minced garlic over the sauce or directly onto the oiled dough if not using sauce. Sprinkle the dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper across the surface.
Top with mozzarella and Parmesan
Tear or slice the fresh mozzarella into 1/4-inch pieces and distribute them evenly over the dough so each bite will have cheese. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the mozzarella for additional flavor.
Add basil (optional)
If you like fresh basil, either tuck whole small leaves under some cheese pieces now or wait to scatter chopped basil on the finished bread off the heat to keep it bright and fresh.
Bake and finish
Bake
Bake the prepared cheesy bread in the preheated oven for 10–14 minutes, rotating the pan once halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and the mozzarella is melted and bubbling with small browned spots.
Finish and rest
Remove the cheesy bread from the oven and place on a cutting board. Immediately drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the hot cheese and, if you did not add fresh basil earlier, scatter basil leaves on top now. Let the bread rest for 3–5 minutes so the cheese sets slightly for easier slicing.
Slice and serve
Using a sharp pizza cutter or large knife, slice the cheesy bread into 6–8 pieces. Serve warm.