Cheesy Italian Bread

Name: Cheesy Italian Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).
Ingredients: 1 package (1/4 ounces) active dry yeast; 1-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°); 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese; Cornmeal

This crusty bread is as big a treat today as it was when Mom made it back when I was growing up. It goes so well with an Italian meal or alongside a big bowl of soup. —Cookie Curci, San Jose, California

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounces) active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
Cornmeal

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, garlic salt, and cheese. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each half into a 14-in. loaf. Place on a greased baking sheet that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Brush loaves with water. Make three diagonal slashes about 1/2 in. deep with a very sharp knife in each loaf.
Fill a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan with 1 in. of hot water and place on the bottom oven rack. Bake bread at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 54 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.

Originally published as Cheesy Italian Bread in Taste of Home August/September 1997

Reviews

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Average Rating:

justmbeth

Sep 27, 2015

Really good! I may have used a touch too much flour this time around...but that was a novice bread maker fault. Will make again.
stephrae

Dec 11, 2013

I have made this twice now and my family loves it!
rduckworth

Dec 4, 2013

Just a question before I bake this bread. I do not use garlic salt, so how much salt and garlic powder would I use?
granolagirl7

Jan 9, 2011

DELICIOUS!!!
lz0s18

May 2, 2010

Delicious bread and easy to make. I am new to bread-making. This bread was a great boost to my confidence in making bread. I would encourage all to give it a try. A big, big hit at our house !!!
krazykrisy

Oct 29, 2009

This bread is a family favorite. I also use it sliced in half lengthwise for sub sandwiches with a cup of soup. It's delicious.
PatWTS

Oct 23, 2009

Have made this dozens of times and everyone loves it. I often use Parmesean cheese rather than Romano and use garlic powder instead of garlic salt and it comes our great!
ak47gramma

Oct 19, 2009

Will make this again. We all loved it