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    Home » bread

    Easy Italian Cheese Bread Recipe

    Published: May 3, 2020 · Modified: Jan 29, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Consistently year after year our original copycat Little Caesar's Italian cheese bread recipe is one of our websites most popular. It tastes like the store favorite and a former employee even told us so! This recipe is just like the original but uses premade dough to save time and can be adapted to a variety of different dietary needs and preferences.

    A close-up photo of a rectangular piece of golden brown Italian cheese bread on a blue plate. The bread is cut into squares, revealing melted mozzarella cheese and flecks of herbs in the center. A light dusting of parmesan cheese adorns the top

    The recipe has been said to be extremely close tasting to the original Little Caesar's Italian Cheese Bread. The original recipe contains MSG and other preservatives that this recipe does not include.

    Ingredients

    For this Italian cheese bread recipe you will need:

    • frozen bread dough
    • butter 
    • garlic 
    • parmesan cheese
    • mozzarella and muenster cheese grated
    • salt
    • Italian Seasoning to taste

    Instructions

    Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Roll out the dough to fit a 9x13 inch pan, ensuring a proper fit. Lightly grease the pan, then place the rolled-out dough inside.

    Evenly and generously spread butter over the entire surface of the dough.

    On top of the buttered dough, evenly distribute two cloves of minced garlic, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, and ½ pound of shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the loaf generously with salt and either parsley or Italian seasoning.

    Bake in the preheated oven at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and melted to perfection. Once done, remove from the oven.

    For an added touch, serve the cheese bread with a side of marinara dipping sauce if desired.

    Whether you choose marinara or ranch, offer a flavorful dipping sauce to accompany the deliciousness of the cheese bread when serving. Enjoy!

    Substitutions

    You can make this recipe for a variety of different food needs and intolerances.

    • Gluten free: Substitute gluten free pizza dough for the dough.
    • Dairy free: You can make this recipe dairy free by using dairy free cheese.
    • Vegan: Use vegan bread dough and dairy free cheese.

    Storing

    Your Italian cheese bread can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. You can also freeze the bread for up to one month. To reheat, use an oven or toaster oven to maintain the crispiness of the crust.

    FAQ

    What are the cheeses used in Little Caesar's Italian cheese bread?

    From some of the comments of former employees that wrote in to our first recipe, the cheeses you will need to use are muenster, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

    What ingredients are missing in your copycat recipe that the store brand has?

    Typically you'll notice a little difference in taste just because some of the chemicals that are added to some of the storebought brand. A lot of times ingredients like MSG or other preservatives are added to commercially prepared foods. Real food doesn't contain those so you might notice a slight difference in taste because these are omitted.

    What type of premade bread dough do you recommend using?

    You can use canned refrigerated pizza dough or a loaf of frozen premade bread.

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    A close-up photo of a rectangular piece of golden brown Italian cheese bread on a blue plate. The bread is cut into squares, revealing melted mozzarella cheese and flecks of herbs in the center. A light dusting of parmesan cheese adorns the top

    Copycat Little Caesar's Italian Cheese Bread

    Traci Wennerholm
    Our copycat recipe Little Caesar's Italian Cheese Bread is perfectly cheesy and balanced with the perfect amount of garlic and herbs.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 304 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed (can substitute gluten free frozen bread dough or 1 can refrigerated pizza dough)
    • 4-6 tablespoons butter softened
    • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
    • ½ pound mozzarella or muenster cheese grated (we use a combination of both cheeses)
    • Salt to taste
    • Italian Seasoning to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Roll dough out to fit a 9x13 inch pan. Lightly grease pan, then set dough inside the pan.
    • Spread butter evenly and generously over the dough.
    • Sprinkle the two garlic cloves, ½ cup parmesan cheese and ½ pound mozzarella cheese over the loaf. Sprinkle the loaf evenly and generously with salt and parsley or Italian seasoning.
    • Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes, or until cheese is browned and melted. Remove from oven, serve with marinara dipping sauce if desired.
    • Serve cheese bread with marinara or ranch dipping sauce if desired.

    Notes

    To Store: Store leftover Italian cheese bread in an airtight container in the fridge for several days. Heat in microwave for 15-20 seconds to warm or wrap in tin foil and heat in preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes. 
    Bread can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw and follow reheat instructions above. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 588mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 415IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword Copycat Italian cheese bread, italian cheese bread little caesars, Little Caesars Italian cheese bread recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kayla

      March 16, 2023 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely easy and amazing! Thank you for this recipe! Seriously my kids thought I brought little Cesar’s!

      Reply
      • burntapple

        March 16, 2023 at 6:23 pm

        I'm so glad that you liked them! Thank you for letting me know that you and your family enjoyed them. It always means a lot!

        Reply

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