There’s something irresistibly comforting about warm, golden bread loaded with melted cheese—trust me, these Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe are exactly that. They’re crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and absolutely perfect for sharing (or not!).
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m honestly a sucker for anything cheesy and buttery, and these breadsticks hit all the right notes. They’re super simple to make, but feel fancy enough to impress a crowd or make your weeknight a little more special.
- Melty Cheese Magic: The Monterey Jack melts perfectly inside each stick, giving you that ooey-gooey cheese pull everyone loves.
- Buttery Herb Flavor: The garlic butter with parsley and oregano adds a herby richness that turns basic breadsticks into something truly crave-worthy.
- Easy To Make: Using pizza dough means minimal prep time and no complex bread-making skills required.
- Great for Sharing: These breadsticks make a fantastic appetizer or snack for game nights, parties, or cozy movie nights.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a key role here—from the stretchy cheese to the soft but crisp pizza dough. Here’s why I choose what I do, and what you should look for at the store.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: It melts like a dream and has a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with herbs without overwhelming the palate.
- Pizza Dough: Using store-bought dough saves you time but still gives you that chewy, bready base that crisps up beautifully.
- Unsalted Butter: Melting and mixing butter ensures you control the saltiness and add just enough richness for that glossy finish.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh note that cuts through the richness and dresses up the breadsticks nicely.
- Kosher Salt: Sprinkled in the butter mix, it enhances all the other flavors without being too salty.
- Dried Oregano: Gives that classic Italian herb touch that makes the butter taste like something from your favorite pizzeria.
- Garlic Powder: For that warm, savory kick that garlic lovers will appreciate without overpowering the mild cheese.
- Marinara Sauce: Perfect for dipping, balances the richness with its tangy tomato goodness.
Make It Your Way
I like to tweak this Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe depending on the occasion. Adding a bit of spice or swapping cheeses can make a big difference—and you should totally make it your own!
- Variation: Once, I swapped half the Monterey Jack for mozzarella and sprinkled in some Parmesan. It gave a richer cheese flavor that was a real hit at a pizza party.
- Herb Swaps: Try fresh basil or thyme in the garlic butter for a different herbal twist.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture if you like a little heat.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pizza dough to make this recipe friendly for gluten sensitivities without losing the soft-crisp texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Cheese Ready
Start by slicing your Monterey Jack cheese lengthwise into long sticks—this helps each breadstick have a generous cheesy center. I like to grate about half a block too, so there’s extra cheese scattered between layers for every bite.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll each pizza dough ball into a large rectangle around 10 by 18 inches. Try to get it as evenly thin as possible for a uniform bake. If you’re like me, you might find your dough springing back a little—that’s normal! Just give it a few more rolls and it’ll cooperate.
Step 3: Layer the Cheese and Seal
Place one rectangle down and line up your 12 cheese sticks evenly along its length. Sprinkle that grated Monterey Jack all over, then cover with the second dough rectangle. Press down firmly around each cheese stick, sealing edges tight—this step is key to prevent cheese from oozing out during baking.
Step 4: Cut and Prepare for Baking
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice between each cheese stick vertically, creating 12 stuffed breadsticks. Pinch the dough seams tightly to keep the cheese inside. Then, place them spaced out on parchment-lined baking sheets so they crisp up nicely.
Step 5: Bake and Butter 'Em Up
Bake at 425°F for 16-18 minutes until the breadsticks turn a beautiful golden brown. While they’re baking, mix melted butter with fresh parsley, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. When out of the oven, brush this flavorful garlic butter over the breadsticks while they’re still warm for maximum flavor and shine.
Top Tip
After making this Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that take them from good to unforgettable.
- Sealing the Dough: Don’t rush the pinching step—make sure every edge is tightly pressed to keep all the cheese inside while baking.
- Even Rolling: Keep your dough evenly rolled; uneven thickness can cause some breadsticks to undercook or get doughy.
- Butter Brush: Brush the garlic butter immediately after baking while breadsticks are hot; it soaks right in and adds irresistible aroma.
- Cheese Mix: Don’t skip the grated cheese on top of the sticks—it adds extra melty goodness with a subtle textural contrast.
How to Serve Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little more chopped fresh parsley right on top after brushing the garlic butter because it adds a lovely fresh color and brightens the rich flavors perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs amazingly well with a fresh green salad or a bowl of tangy marinara sauce for dipping. I also like serving it alongside a hearty tomato soup—comfort food heaven!
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I arrange the breadsticks in a circle on a large platter with small bowls of different dipping sauces in the center—think garlic aioli, spicy marinara, or even pesto. It’s a real crowd-pleaser and looks inviting on any table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature if I’m eating them within a day, but if you want to keep them longer, the fridge works well for up to 3 days without losing much freshness.
Freezing
These freeze beautifully! Just wrap each cooled breadstick tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil, or place them all in a freezer bag. They keep for about 2 months and are a perfect quick snack fix.
Reheating
To reheat, I warm them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes—this crisps up the dough again and melts the cheese perfectly. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delicious crisp exterior.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While Monterey Jack melts beautifully, mozzarella, fontina, or a blend of cheeses would also work well. Just pick cheeses that melt smoothly and have good flavor.
Fresh parsley adds a lovely brightness, but if you don’t have it on hand, dried parsley can substitute in a pinch. I recommend fresh if possible for that extra punch of flavor.
Brushing the garlic butter after baking adds flavor but can feel oily if you apply too much. Try using less butter or brushing just the edges to keep them from feeling greasy. Also, let them cool slightly before serving.
Yes! You can assemble the breadsticks and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the dough from drying out. Bake as directed when ready.
Final Thoughts
I keep coming back to this Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe because it’s just so reliably delicious and easy to make. It magically turns simple ingredients into something everyone asks for seconds of, and honestly, making it feels like a little cozy celebration in my kitchen. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) these as much as I do—grab your pizza dough and cheese, and let’s get baking!
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Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Yield: 12 breadsticks
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks are golden brown, buttery, and filled with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect as a comforting appetizer or snack, they are served warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz. Cabot Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 1-pound balls of pizza dough
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnishing)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set the prepared baking sheets aside for later use.
- Prepare Cheese: Cut one block of Monterey Jack cheese lengthwise into 8 long pieces. From the second block, cut half into 4 long pieces, making a total of 12 long pieces. Grate the remaining half block of cheese and set both the long pieces and shredded cheese aside.
- Roll Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each 1-pound ball of pizza dough into a 10”x18” rectangle to prepare for layering.
- Assemble Layers: Lay one rectangle of dough on a large cutting board and evenly line up the 12 pieces of cheese across its length. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the long cheese pieces.
- Seal Breadsticks: Place the second dough rectangle on top of the cheese layer. Press the dough layers tightly together to seal them around each piece of cheese.
- Cut Breadsticks: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut in between each cheese piece to form 12 stuffed breadsticks. Pinch the edges of dough tightly around each piece to fully enclose the cheese.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the stuffed breadsticks onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, until they are light golden brown and cooked through.
- Make Garlic Butter: While baking, whisk together the melted butter, chopped parsley, kosher salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano in a small bowl.
- Brush Breadsticks: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and immediately brush them with the garlic butter mixture for a flavorful finish.
- Serve: Serve the breadsticks hot alongside marinara sauce for dipping and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor in the garlic butter, but dried parsley can be substituted if needed.
- Ensure the dough edges are well sealed to prevent the cheese from leaking during baking.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and gooey cheese experience.
- For a crispier crust, you can bake the breadsticks a few minutes longer, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought depending on your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 361 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 871 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 44 mg
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