cheesy garlic rolls

Cheesy garlic rolls are my go to fix for those nights when dinner feels a little too boring and everyone keeps wandering into the kitchen looking for something warm and snacky. You know the vibe, you want bread, you want cheese, and you want that garlicky smell that makes people “just check” what you are making. I started making these when I got tired of paying for extra bread at restaurants, then realized they are honestly better at home. They come out soft in the middle, a little golden on top, and cheesy in a way that makes you grab one more without thinking. If you have ever wanted an easy bread that makes you look like you tried really hard, this is it.

Ingredients Needed

I keep this recipe simple on purpose. Most of these ingredients are already hanging out in your fridge or pantry, and if you are missing one thing, there is usually an easy swap.

• Pizza dough (store bought or homemade), about 1 pound
• Butter, 4 tablespoons, melted
• Garlic, 3 to 5 cloves minced (or 1 to 2 teaspoons garlic paste)
• Mozzarella, 1 to 1.5 cups shredded
• Parmesan, 2 to 3 tablespoons (optional but so good)
• Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon
• Salt, a pinch
• Parsley, chopped (optional for that fresh finish)

If you love that garlic bread vibe but want another method, I have also played with an air fryer version of cheesy garlic bread and it is super handy for small batches. Here is one I like: simple scrumptious air fryer cheesy garlic bread recipe.

Little tip from my kitchen: shred your own mozzarella if you can. The pre shredded stuff works, but freshly shredded melts a bit smoother and feels extra gooey.

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Rolls

This is the part where your kitchen starts smelling like you are about to host a dinner party, even if you are still in sweatpants.

Step by step (no stress)

1) Preheat your oven to 375 F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a sheet pan with parchment.

2) Make the garlic butter. Melt the butter, then stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and a little parmesan if you want. Let it sit for a minute so the garlic wakes up.

3) Roll out the dough on a lightly floured counter into a rough rectangle, around 12 by 16 inches. No need to be perfect.

4) Brush most of the garlic butter over the dough, saving a little for the top later.

5) Sprinkle mozzarella evenly all over. Try to cover the surface so every bite gets cheese.

6) Roll it up from the long side into a log, like cinnamon rolls. Pinch the seam closed.

7) Slice into 10 to 12 pieces. A serrated knife helps, but dental floss works too if you have it.

8) Place the rolls in the baking dish, leaving a little space. Brush the tops with the remaining garlic butter.

9) Bake for 18 to 24 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling. If you want extra color, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, but watch closely.

Let them cool for about 5 minutes before you pull them apart. This is the hardest part, but it keeps the cheese from sliding right off and burning your mouth.

“I made these for game night and they disappeared before the pizza even got opened. Everyone asked for the recipe, even my friend who claims he never cooks.”

If you want a dinner side that is just as comforting and cheesy, I also love pairing breads with cozy casseroles. This one is a weeknight hero: chicken and broccoli cheesy casserole.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy garlic rolls are pretty flexible. I have served them as a side, a snack, and once as the main event with just a big salad, because sometimes bread night is the right night.

• Serve with warm marinara for dipping. Even store bought feels fancy when it is warmed up.
• Pair with a simple soup like tomato, minestrone, or creamy chicken.
• Make them part of a party spread with wings, veggies, and a couple dips.
• Turn them into a meal with a big Caesar salad and a lemony dressing to cut the richness.

If you are doing a comfort food dinner, these rolls are amazing next to potato sides too. I am a fan of anything that comes out crispy and cheesy, like these: cheesy mashed potato puffs.

One more fun idea: slice a roll in half the next day, toast it, and make a little sandwich with leftover chicken or deli turkey. It sounds random, but it works.

Storage Instructions

Here is the honest truth: these are best fresh. But if you have leftovers, you can still keep them really tasty.

How I store and reheat them

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Wrap each roll in foil or plastic wrap, then stash in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Reheat in oven: 350 F for about 8 to 12 minutes. Cover with foil for the first half so they do not dry out.

Reheat in air fryer: 320 F for 3 to 5 minutes. This brings back that slightly crisp top fast.

Microwave: Works in a pinch, but they get softer. If you microwave, do 15 to 25 seconds, then finish in a toaster oven if you can.

If you want another garlicky meal that reheats well and feels like a treat, this one is a favorite in my house: easy steak with garlic cream sauce.

Other Breads You’ll Love

Once you start making Cheesy garlic rolls at home, it is a slippery slope into baking all the cozy bread things. If you are in that era of life, welcome, it is delicious here.

If you want that soft restaurant style vibe, try these: easy copycat Texas Roadhouse rolls. They are pillowy and sweet in the best way.

And if you want something stuffed and extra, you might like a cheesy baguette situation for a party night. It is a whole mood: cheesy spinach artichoke mushroom stuffed baguette.

For this recipe though, I keep coming back because Cheesy garlic rolls hit that perfect spot between easy and impressive. Also, the smell alone makes people happy.

Common Questions

Can I make Cheesy garlic rolls with crescent dough or biscuits?

Yes. Crescent dough makes them flakier and a bit more snacky. Biscuits make them more bready and tender. Just watch bake time since both cook faster than pizza dough.

What cheese works best besides mozzarella?

Monterey Jack melts great, provolone is super stretchy, and a little cheddar adds flavor. I usually do mostly mozzarella and then a small handful of something sharper.

How do I keep the bottoms from getting too brown?

Bake on the middle rack and use a glass or light colored pan. If your oven runs hot, set the pan on another empty sheet pan to buffer the heat.

Can I prep them ahead of time?

Yep. Assemble and slice, then cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Let them sit at room temp for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake.

Why did my rolls unroll while baking?

Usually the seam was not pinched enough or there was too much flour on the dough. Pinch the seam firmly and place rolls seam side down in the pan.

A warm, cheesy finish

Cheesy garlic rolls are one of those recipes that makes a regular dinner feel special without adding a ton of work. Keep the ingredients simple, do not skip the garlic butter, and give them a few minutes to cool so the cheese sets up just right. If you want to compare versions or grab more ideas, I have read and loved Cheesy Garlic Rolls – Dance Around the Kitchen, and if you are more in the knot mood, Cheesy Garlic Knots – Real Food by Dad is a great one too. Now go make a pan, pull one apart while it is still warm, and tell me you do not immediately want another.