Copycat Little Caesars Cheesy Bread

Little Caesars understands that people will happily make a detour on the way home for a box of soft, garlicky bread smothered in melted cheese. I’ve been one of those people more times than I’d like to admit. This copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread recreates the chain’s Italian cheese bread (not to be confused with its equally popular Crazy Bread) with store-bought pizza dough, garlic butter and a thick layer of cheese. When it’s fresh from the oven, the bronzed, cheesy top bubbles at the edges. You’re basically guaranteed to get Instagram-worthy cheese pulls.

The most common problem I see with homemade bread recipes like this one is a gummy, underbaked center. When butter and cheese go onto raw dough, the fat and moisture sink in, and the middle never really bakes all the way through. This recipe fixes that with a quick parbake, which sets the crust before any toppings go on. It’s the same trick I use for sheet-pan pizza, and it guarantees a golden bottom with a little crunch. A single pan yields 20 pieces, which makes this a no-brainer for game day, kids sleepovers, and salad dinners that need a warm, shareable side.

Copycat Little Caesars Cheesy Bread Ingredients

• Frozen pizza dough: Look for it in the freezer case near the frozen breads, and let it thaw in the refrigerator for a day. Homemade pizza dough works well if you feel like making a batch.
• Butter and garlic: Melted butter stirred together with minced garlic makes the first layer, soaking into the warm crust and giving the cheese something to grip. Jarred minced garlic is fine here, though freshly minced cloves bring a sharper bite.
• Mozzarella and Parmesan: Shredded mozzarella supplies the stretch and the blistered, golden top. Grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty edge that keeps all that melted dairy from tasting flat. Grate the cheese yourself to guarantee the best melt.
• Italian seasoning: Most blends combine dried oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary. You can use your favorite brand or homemade Italian seasoning. The herbs toast lightly and give the bread its pizzeria aroma.
• Pizza sauce: Warm sauce for dunking is optional, but hard to skip. Marinara sauce works just as well if that’s what’s in your pantry.

Directions

Step 1: Press the dough into the pan

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Press the pizza dough into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Cover it and let it rise in a warm place until it’s doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: If the dough keeps springing back from the corners, cover it and let it rest for five minutes. The gluten will relax and the dough will stretch much more easily.

Step 2: Parbake the crust

Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake it until it’s lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 3: Add the garlic butter and cheese

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic. Brush the mixture over the warm dough.

Sprinkle the dough with the mozzarella, Parmesan and Italian seasoning.

Step 4: Bake and slice the bread

Bake the bread for 20 minutes or until it’s golden brown. Cut it into 1-inch rectangles. Serve it hot with pizza sauce, if desired.

Copycat Little Caesars Cheesy Bread Variations

• Add pepperoni: Scatter mini pepperoni over the cheese before the final bake. The edges curl and crisp while the fat seasons the cheese underneath.
• Try a three-cheese blend: Substitute shredded provolone for half of the mozzarella. It melts just as smoothly and adds a gentle tang.
• Turn up the heat: Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or sliced pickled jalapenos over the top along with the herbs.
• Change the seasoning: Swap in everything bagel seasoning for the Italian seasoning. The sesame seeds and dried onion toast beautifully on top of the cheese.
• Use whole wheat dough: Substitute whole wheat pizza dough for the regular dough. It may need a few extra minutes to double in size before you can bake it.

How to Store Copycat Little Caesars Cheesy Bread

Let leftover cheesy bread cool completely, then transfer the pieces to an airtight container and refrigerate them. Don’t let it sit out for more than two hours, since the cheese topping makes it perishable. A sheet of parchment paper between layers will keep the pieces from sticking together.

How long does copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread last?

Copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread lasts three to four days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

Can you make copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread ahead of time?

You can get a head start on copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread by parbaking the crust (following the recipe through Step 2) up to a day ahead. Let the crust cool, wrap it so it’s airtight and keep it at room temperature. When you’re ready, warm the crust in the oven for a few minutes, then brush on the garlic butter, add the toppings and bake it as directed.

Can you freeze copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread?

Yes, copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread freezes well for up to three months. Wrap cooled pieces individually in airtight packaging, then store them together in a freezer container. Reheat the pieces straight from the freezer on a baking sheet in a 375º oven until they’re hot all the way through and the cheese has melted again.

Copycat Little Caesars Cheesy Bread Tips

What seasoning does Little Caesars use on its cheese bread?

Little Caesars keeps its exact seasoning blend a secret, but the chain describes its Italian cheese bread as mozzarella and Muenster topped with garlic, butter, Parmesan and its own Italian spices. For copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread, a store-bought Italian seasoning with dried oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary gets you very close. Add a pinch of garlic powder to the blend if you want an even stronger garlic hit.

Can you make Little Caesars cheese bread with homemade pizza dough?

Yes, homemade pizza dough works in this recipe for copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread. Use about 1 pound of dough so it fills the 15x10x1-inch pan to the same thickness, and let it rise until it’s doubled in size before you parbake it. Dough made with a little olive oil will bake up slightly crisper on the bottom.

What are the best cheeses for copycat Little Caesars Italian cheese bread?

Low-moisture shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan are the best cheeses for copycat Little Caesars cheesy bread because they melt well and brown without turning greasy. Little Caesars pairs mozzarella with Muenster on its restaurant version, so swapping shredded Muenster for part of the mozzarella brings the copycat even closer to the original. Skip fresh mozzarella, which releases too much water and leaves the crust soggy.