Rosemary Parmesan Bread Recipe (Dutch Oven)

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Rosemary Parmesan bread is a delicious combination of savory flavors and aromatic herbs that is so easy to make and enjoy. Its cheesy, herb-infused aroma and crispy crust make this homemade bread a favorite for any occasion.

We love Dutch oven bread in our home. In fact, we are always making variations of it, from simple Artisan bread to jalapeno cheese bread. This type of fresh bread is so easy to make and turns out every single time. This particular variation of quick bread is perfect to pair with a butter board or along side a savory dinner recipe like our favorite Caprese chicken or fall-apart round roast.

Beautiful loaf of rosemary parmesan bread with parmesan melted on top that is beside a block of parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary.

Why We Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons to love this delicious rosemary bread recipe. First, baking it at home fills your kitchen with an amazing smell and gives the satisfaction and enjoyment of freshly baked bread. The combination of savory Parmesan cheese and aromatic rosemary tastes delicious and makes this bread pair perfectly with soups, salads, or as a snack on its own. With just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe is also easy to make and is great for any baking skill level.

Ingredients and Substitutes

This easy bread recipe is made up of simple ingredients. There are always substitutes for anyone with any dietary issues or if you don’t have certain ingredients on hand. I always recommend trying the recipe as written the first time, but the next time, try changing things up for a different flavor variation.

All-Purpose Flour (or Bread Flour): This versatile flour works well for this recipe, but if you prefer a chewier texture, you can use bread flour instead.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread; I always recommend kosher salt, but you can use sea salt as a substitute.
Instant Yeast: Provides leavening for the bread; if you only have active dry yeast, you can use that as well (but dissolve it in water before adding to the dough).
Lukewarm Water: Helps activate the yeast and bind the dough; make sure it’s not too hot or it will kill the yeast.
Fresh Rosemary (or Dried Rosemary): Adds a beautiful savory flavor; if you don’t have fresh rosemary, you can use other fresh herbs or even try dried rosemary (reduce the amount by half).
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a cheesy-nutty flavor to the bread; you can also substitute with other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago.

Grating parmesan cheese to make rosemary parmesan bread on a cheese grater.

How to Make Parmesan Rosemary Bread

Kitchen Tools

You don’t require much to make this bread. I prefer to cook it in a Dutch oven, but you can also use a baking stone or sheet pan.

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Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour (bread flour)
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/4 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping

Optional:

Olive oil (for greasing)
Cornmeal (for dusting)
Additional rosemary leaves (for garnish)

Flour, kosher salt, yeast, grated parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary all ingredients to make rosemary parmesan bread.

Instructions for Rosemary Parmesan Bread

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, instant yeast, chopped rosemary, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.

2. Gradually pour the warm water into the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but not too wet. Adjust the water or flour as needed.

Mixing the dough to make Dutch oven artisan bread with rosemary and parmesan cheese.

3. Once the dough comes together, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours or until doubled in size. For optimal flavor and texture, allow the dough to do an overnight rise for 8 to 24 hours.

4. After the resting period, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). If using a Dutch oven, line it with a piece of parchment paper and place it in the oven to preheat.

5. Transfer the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface while the oven is preheating. Gently shape it into a round loaf, tucking the edges underneath to create a smooth surface.

If not using a Dutch oven: Place the shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife and sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese and rosemary leaves. Your bread may not come out in the exact shape when made this way (see below).

Dutch Oven Bread

6. If using a Dutch oven: Carefully remove the preheated Dutch oven from the oven. Sprinkle the bottom with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place the shaped dough into the Dutch oven. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife and sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese and rosemary leaves on top if desired. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and place it back in the oven.

7. Bake the bread covered (if using a Dutch oven) for 30 minutes. Then, remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Parmesan rosemary bread in a parchmentw lined Dutch oven ready to be baked.

8. If baking without a Dutch oven, bake the bread on the parchment-lined baking sheet for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and fully baked.

9. Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your delicious artisan rosemary Parmesan bread with your favorite spreads or as a side to soups and salads!

Beautiful rosemary parmesan bread that has just come out of the oven and is sliced perfectly.

Pro Tips

Always use fresh ingredients! For the best flavor, use fresh rosemary and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for this delicious bread.
If you prefer a chewier texture, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which can result in a denser and chewier loaf.
When using a Dutch oven, preheat it before adding the dough to create a crispy crust.
Use a sharp knife or bread lame to score the dough before baking for a decorative touch.
Let it rise. This recipe only gets better the longer you let it rise!
Add some extra flavor by brushing the top of the bread with olive oil and sprinkling extra Parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary before baking. This adds a beautiful crust and enhances the aroma.
For the best flavor and texture in your rosemary Parmesan bread, allow the dough to rise for a long period of time, ideally between 8 to 24 hours.

Storing Rosemary Parmesan Bread

Room Temperature: Keep your cheese bread fresh by storing it in a sealed plastic bag or covered with cling film at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Refrigeration: Store the rosemary parm bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life by up to one week.

Freezing: For longer-term storage, tightly wrap the bread in heavy aluminum foil or cling wrap or place it in freezer bags (use at least 2 layers to prevent freezer odors). Freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw at room temperature before serving.

More Delicious Bread

Common Dutch Oven Bread Questions

What does rosemary Parmesan bread taste like?

This rosemary parmesan bread tastes absolutely delicious. It is the perfect combination of nutty, savory flavor that is amazing with a touch of butter and honey or served next to a gorgeous meat dish. Try adding a bit of garlic butter and toasting it up for a beautiful substitute to traditional garlic toast, too.

Is rosemary parmesan bread healthy?

There is no real difference between rosemary parmesan bread and other types of bread; however, any bread with cheese is going to have a slightly higher amount of fats and calories. The cheese adds richness and flavor to this bread, so I recommend always enjoying it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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