Soft, fluffy, and packed with rich garlic flavor, these Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are the kind of side dish I always crave. Each roll is golden on the outside and filled with melted mozzarella, with a generous brush of garlic-parsley butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan. I like to serve them with pasta dishes, soups, or just eat them warm right out of the pan. They’re rich, cheesy, and completely irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how easy it is to whip up these rolls from scratch with simple pantry ingredients. The dough comes together quickly, and after a bit of rising time, I get pillowy-soft rolls stuffed with gooey cheese. The garlic butter topping gives them that perfect savory finish. Whether I’m making them for a weeknight dinner or serving guests, they’re always a hit. Plus, they’re versatile enough to pair with almost anything.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for dough)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
3 cloves garlic, minced
Directions
I start by mixing flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
I add the warm milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until I get a soft dough.
Then I knead the dough on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
I place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
While the dough is rising, I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Once the dough has risen, I punch it down and divide it into 8 to 10 pieces. I flatten each piece, stuff it with shredded mozzarella, pinch the edges to seal, and shape them into balls.
I arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise again for 20 to 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, I mix the remaining melted butter with minced garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
Next I brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the rolls.
I bake the rolls for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and bubbling.
I like to serve them warm, sometimes with an extra brush of garlic butter on top.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 8 to 10 rolls.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including rising time)
Calories: 230 kcal per roll
Variations
I sometimes switch things up by adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the dough for extra flavor. If I want a spicier version, I sprinkle red pepper flakes into the garlic butter. Cheddar or a cheese blend can be used in place of mozzarella. For a sweeter twist, I skip the garlic butter and brush them with honey butter instead.
Storage/Reheating
I keep any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, I wrap them in foil and warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave for 15-20 seconds per roll. If I want them extra moist, I brush a little butter on top before reheating.
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FAQs
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
I check if the dough has doubled in size and springs back slowly when I press it lightly with my finger.
Can I make these rolls ahead of time?
Yes, I often prepare the rolls up to the second rise and refrigerate them overnight. I let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze these rolls?
Absolutely. I freeze baked rolls once cooled and reheat them in the oven straight from the freezer for 15 minutes at 325°F (160°C).
What’s the best cheese to use?
I like mozzarella for its meltiness, but a combo of mozzarella and cheddar or Gruyère adds great flavor.
Why are my rolls dense instead of fluffy?
That usually happens if I don’t knead the dough enough or the yeast is inactive. I make sure the milk is warm, not hot, and give the dough enough time to rise.
Conclusion
These Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are one of my favorite ways to elevate a simple meal. They’re soft, cheesy, and full of garlicky flavor, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether I serve them fresh out of the oven or save a few for later, they never last long. Once I tried them, they became a go-to comfort food in my kitchen.
📖 Recipe:
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Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, fluffy rolls filled with melted mozzarella and topped with garlic-parsley butter and Parmesan. These Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are rich, savory, and perfect alongside pasta, soups, or on their own.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for dough)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
- Add warm milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 to 10 pieces. Flatten each piece and stuff with shredded mozzarella, pinch to seal, and shape into balls.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise again for 20 to 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining melted butter with minced garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
- Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the rolls.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve warm, optionally brushing with extra garlic butter.
Notes
Add herbs like thyme or rosemary to the dough for extra flavor.
Use cheddar or a cheese blend for a variation in flavor.
For a sweeter version, skip the garlic butter and use honey butter.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds.
You can freeze baked rolls and reheat directly from frozen at 325°F (160°C) for 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
