What cheese can replace mozzarella?

Other good melting cheeses besides mozzarella can substitute for mozzarella in this recipe. The flavor and texture of other cheeses may vary from those of mozzarella and Parmesan in this recipe. Consider adding Parmesan, which is also listed separately in the recipe as an ingredient to be sprinkled on the baked dish. Grate other cheeses before adding them to the buttered dough to ensure even distribution.

Can I use Italian seasoning instead?

Yes, you can substitute Italian seasoning for dried basil and oregano. The Italian seasoning will taste different from the basil and oregano because Italian seasoning is a mixture with set proportions. Use Italian seasoning instead of basil and oregano, as directed by your recipe, over the cheese layer. Test the Italian seasoning for salt before adding salt to your recipe, you may not need to season it with salt.

How do I use extra pizza dough?

Leftover pizza dough can be used to make breadsticks. One pound of leftover dough is needed to make a batch of breadsticks in a 12- by 10-inch rectangle. Divide leftover dough into portions as needed. Extra time may be required if making new dough, depending on your source.

Can I bake these on a pizza stone?

Yes, the directions have instructions for baking breadsticks on a pizza stone. A preheated pizza stone will ensure breadsticks bake correctly. Do not place breadsticks directly on the pizza stone. Instead, use a peel or parchment sheet. Slide breadsticks from a peel or parchment sheet onto a preheated pizza stone to bake.

Why are my breadsticks unevenly browned?

Uneven browning can result from unevenly rolling the dough. The recipe doesn't specify what shape the rectangle should be, but trying to roll the dough evenly can help prevent uneven browning. Start checking for browned and melted cheese after 12 to 15 minutes of baking. You might consider turning the baking sheet halfway through baking if one side browns faster in your oven.

Cheese Breadsticks with Garlic Butter and Mozzarella

By Mason BrooksOct 7, 2026

Prep

15 min

Cook

15 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Choose a 1-pound soft dough product, homemade or store-bought, that can be molded or rolled into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle. Baked cheese breadsticks flavored with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, garlic butter, basil, and oregano are a suitable side dish for an Italian-themed meal.

Cheese Breadsticks with Garlic Butter and Mozzarella

Melted butter and garlic powder are the base ingredients. Shredded mozzarella is the main cheese ingredient, and grated Parmesan is an additional cheese ingredient. Dried basil and oregano and optional salt are added to the top of the dish before baking. Other Italian seasoning blends can be substituted for basil and oregano, and other melting cheeses can be substituted for the cheeses mentioned.

Watch the breadsticks and cheese as they bake. Baking instructions for the breadstick dough recommend baking the breadsticks for 12-15 minutes at 425°F. Rolling the dough into a rectangle isn't necessary, though breadsticks baked in an irregular rectangle may not be evenly cooked. Possible surfaces for baking include a baking sheet, pizza pan, and baking stone. Preheat a baking stone if you use one.

Cut the baked bread into 16 pieces. Top with pizza sauce, if desired. Baked bread slices can be eaten as a side dish with Italian dishes and other foods, including pizza, chicken Alfredo, ravioli, and casserole lasagna.

Why you'll love this recipe

One pound of pizza dough makes 16 breadsticks, Homemade and store-bought pizza dough are good side dish choices for an Italian-themed meal.
Mozzarella and Parmesan provide different cheese textures, Mozzarella cheese will melt into the dough, while Parmesan cheese will be sprinkled on top of the pizza.
Garlic powder mixed into the butter prevents garlic from being applied only to the top of the dough. It helps incorporate garlic throughout the dough.
Dried basil and oregano are spices to store in small amounts in your pantry, They provide basil and oregano flavors to the cheese layer, as called for in the recipe.
The optional salt gives the baker the flexibility to use salted and unsalted butter and other ingredients when making breadsticks of varying salt levels.
A baking sheet or pizza pan or preheated baking stone can be used to bake the dough, The same ingredients can be used as those already on hand.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Lightly grease a baking sheet, pizza stone, or pizza pan; set aside.

Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle.

Combine the melted butter and garlic powder.

Brush the garlic butter over the shaped dough.

Top the dough with the mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, oregano, and salt.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Slice into breadsticks and serve with pizza sauce if desired.

If using a pizza stone, preheat the stone while making the breadsticks.

If using a pizza stone, make the breadsticks on a peel or a piece of parchment paper.

Slide the breadsticks from the peel onto the stone, or transfer the parchment and breadsticks together onto the hot stone.

If making homemade pizza dough, allow more prep time.

FAQ

Yes, homemade and store-bought pizza dough can be used for this recipe. Look for 1-pound dough, the same amount used to prepare a 12-by-10-inch rectangle of pizza dough for this recipe. Pizza dough that does not tear when stretched or rolled will work well for shaping. Chilled pizza dough may be easier to shape after warming it to room temperature for a few minutes.

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Snacks & Appetizers Side Dishes Bread Italian Baking

Cheese Breadsticks with Garlic Butter and Mozzarella

Name: Cheese Breadsticks with Garlic Butter and Mozzarella
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 16 breadsticks
Ingredients: 1 lb pizza dough (homemade or store-bought; 454 g); 2 tbsp butter (melted); 1 tsp garlic powder; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (225 g); 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (40 g); 1/2 tsp dried basil; 1/4 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp salt (optional); pizza sauce (for serving, if desired)

By Mason BrooksOct 7, 2026

Prep

15 min

Cook

15 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

One pound of pizza dough makes 16 breadsticks, Homemade and store-bought pizza dough are good side dish choices for an Italian-themed meal.
Mozzarella and Parmesan provide different cheese textures, Mozzarella cheese will melt into the dough, while Parmesan cheese will be sprinkled on top of the pizza.
Garlic powder mixed into the butter prevents garlic from being applied only to the top of the dough. It helps incorporate garlic throughout the dough.
Dried basil and oregano are spices to store in small amounts in your pantry, They provide basil and oregano flavors to the cheese layer, as called for in the recipe.
The optional salt gives the baker the flexibility to use salted and unsalted butter and other ingredients when making breadsticks of varying salt levels.
A baking sheet or pizza pan or preheated baking stone can be used to bake the dough, The same ingredients can be used as those already on hand.

Ingredients

Servings16

•1 lb pizza dough (homemade or store-bought; 454 g)
•2 tbsp butter (melted)
•1 tsp garlic powder
•2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (225 g)
•⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese (40 g)
•½ tsp dried basil
•¼ tsp dried oregano
•¼ tsp salt (optional)
•pizza sauce (for serving, if desired)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2
Lightly grease a baking sheet, pizza stone, or pizza pan; set aside.
3
Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle.
4
Combine the melted butter and garlic powder.
5
Brush the garlic butter over the shaped dough.
6
Top the dough with the mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, oregano, and salt.
7
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
8
Slice into breadsticks and serve with pizza sauce if desired.
9
If using a pizza stone, preheat the stone while making the breadsticks.
10
If using a pizza stone, make the breadsticks on a peel or a piece of parchment paper.
11
Slide the breadsticks from the peel onto the stone, or transfer the parchment and breadsticks together onto the hot stone.
12
If making homemade pizza dough, allow more prep time.