Cacio e Pepe French Bread (with basil)

There’s nothing better than fresh-baked bread, right out of the oven, right? Well, what about - fresh-baked bread, rolled with layers of salty, gooey Parmesan cheese, packed with flavor from freshly ground black pepper, all wrapped up in a slightly warm and sweet French bread base! Ah, nothing?! 😍

I love bread. My family loves bread too.

We don’t just appreciate the many different types of bread for how perfectly they complement any meal, but we also love them as the ultimate, soft, doughy vessels for a great sandwich — and the perfect, sturdy base for a slice of toast, loaded with whatever toppings your mind can imagine!

Bread is incredibly versatile, and this Cacio e Pepe bread is no exception. It features that same perfect bread, pairing wonderfully with any Italian dish you can create. In fact, it’s inspired by an Italian dish I recently had the pleasure of enjoying in Rome.

After visiting Rome this last summer, I was so inspired by the classic, yet humble, flavor combination of cheese and pepper (Cacio e Pepe). That’s when I thought, why not combine this traditional pasta dish with a slightly unconventional French bread recipe? Both are delicious on their own, but together they create a beautifully flavored, swirled bread — perfect for dipping in any sauce or pairing with your favorite pasta. (And yes, while it’s inspired by Italy, this bread works with pasta sauce from anywhere in the world - it really can!)

One of my favorite things is a simple pasta dish with fresh, cooked veggies, paired with deliciously fresh bread that soaks up all the extra sauce the fork just can’t quite reach. And that’s exactly where this bread comes in...

Why This Bread Is So Good

This Cacio e Pepe bread is all about using whole, wholesome ingredients. We all know that homemade bread is far better for you than store-bought bread, which is often loaded with unpronounceable ingredients. So right off the bat, this bread already earns a gold star for being the healthier option.

But what makes this recipe even better? It gives you the option to use a natural sweetener like honey instead of refined sugar — so you can feel even better about what you’re baking. Plus, by swapping butter for olive oil, you’re giving your heart a little extra love. All of this adds up to a healthier bread that still tastes amazing.

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese means fewer preservatives, while sea salt keeps the sodium levels lower without sacrificing for flavor. Freshly ground black pepper preserves the antioxidants naturally found in the seeds, and fresh basil brings those anti-inflammatory properties all to the mix.

So, not only is this bread healthier, but it’s also incredibly delicious. The bread has a wonderful buttery richness from the olive oil, a subtle sweetness from the honey or sugar, the perfect balance of salty from the cheese and sea salt, a shiny, light crunch from the egg wash, and just the right amount of lift from the yeast. The texture is soft and airy with a beautiful crumb that’ll keep you coming back for more (sorry, not sorry!). 😋

Tips for the Best Bread

• Grate Your Own Parmesan Cheese: Grating your own block of fresh Parmesan cheese not only avoids the preservatives typically found in pre-grated cheese, but it also melts more evenly into the bread, creating better flavor and texture.

• Sugar vs. Honey: I’m all for using natural sweeteners when I can. They’re generally better for your health than highly processed sugar. That being said, there are times when one works better than the other. In this recipe, granulated sugar helps create a lighter, airier crumb and a better swirl in the bread. Honey will give the bread a slightly denser texture, but either is fine! For the fluffiest, most desirable texture, granulated sugar wins here (plus you don’t add that much to being with - for 2 loaves of French bread). 😊

• Use Less Salt — But Still Get That Salty Flavor: I love using sea salt in baking because it delivers a stronger, more flavorful saltiness, meaning you need less of it. Reducing your sodium intake as you age is crucial, and many foods already contain a lot of hidden salt. So why not make a delicious, salty bread with a little less?

• Olive Oil — Go for the Best: Always opt for cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Not only is it heart-healthy, but it also makes the bread more tender and flavorful. Olive oil adds a warm, rich taste that butter just can’t match. Plus, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is the most nutrient-dense version you can get, so you’re making your bread even healthier and more delicious. 😊

• Basil or No Basil: For me, I love this bread both ways. The cheese and pepper combo alone is simple but so satisfying. If you choose to add basil, it gives the bread a nice licorice-like flavor and a beautiful pop of green in the layers. But honestly? I think this bread shines best when it’s kept simple — just the cheese and pepper. It lets the other flavors really come through with every bite.

Ingredients :

• Warm Water

• Granulated Sugar or Honey

• Instant Yeast

• Sea Salt

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• All-Purpose Flour

• Egg

• Cold Milk

• Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

• Freshly Ground Black Pepper

• Sliced Fresh Basil (optional)

Steps to Make this Bread Come to Life

• Step 1 - Grease a bowl: Lightly grease a large glass bowl with olive oil. Set aside.

• Step 2 - Activate the yeast:
  In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine:

• 2 cups warm water

• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast

• Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes, until foamy.

• Step 3 - Mix initial ingredients:
  Add to the yeast mixture:

• 1 tablespoon sea salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• Mix on low speed for 1–2 minutes, until just combined.

• Step 4 - Add remaining flour:
  With the mixer on low, gradually add the remaining 2½ cups flour (about ½ cup at a time), until a ball of dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

• Step 5 - Knead the dough:
  Knead on low speed for 2–3 minutes, adding a bit more flour if the dough sticks.

  Let rest for 5 minutes. Then knead again for 1–2 minutes on low.

• Step 6 - First rise:
  Transfer dough to the greased bowl. Turn to coat all sides.
  Cover with plastic wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
  Let rise in a warm place (or oven set to Proof at 100°F) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

• Step 7 - Shape the dough:
  Lightly spray a clean countertop with cooking spray.
  Turn dough out and divide into 2 equal pieces.
  Roll each piece into a rectangle about 9x13 inches.

• Step 8 - Add fillings (optional):
  Sprinkle each rectangle with:

• ¼–½ cup grated Parmesan

• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• ¼ cup sliced fresh basil (optional)

• Step 10 - Roll and seal:
  Roll up each rectangle tightly from the long side to form a cylinder.
  Tuck and pinch the ends under to seal.

• Step 11 - Second rise:
  Place both loaves, seam-side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  Cover with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes, until nearly doubled.
  Preheat oven to 375°F during this time.

• Step 12 - Prepare for baking:
  Uncover loaves. Brush tops with the egg wash (egg and milk whisked together in a small bowl).
  Using a sharp knife, make 2–3 angled slashes across the tops of both loaves.

• Step 13 - Bake:
  Bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.

• Step 14 - Cool and store:
  Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
  Enjoy warm, or store in a freezer-safe zip-top bag for later.

What to Serve It With

• Spaghetti

• Chicken Alfredo

• Cottage Cheese Pasta

• Lasagna

• Roasted Veggie Pasta

• Any Salad

• Chicken Noodle Soup

• Lemon & Chickpea Soup

• And more!

Notes

• Use & Grate Your Own Parmesan Cheese – For the best bread texture! 🙂

• Serve right away for the best results, or freeze for 3–6 months in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. To thaw, heat in the microwave for 2 minutes, flipping the bread halfway through to ensure it thaws evenly.