Homemade Rosemary Bread

This Homemade Rosemary Bread is a simple yeast bread infused with fresh rosemary and is free-formed, so no special pans are needed. The recipe makes two loaves with a golden crust and soft and fluffy on the inside, making it perfect to enjoy.

Bread recipes that use yeast can be tricky to bake but this copycat Rosemary Bread from the Macaroni Grill is the easiest to bake and it just uses a few ingredients but packs a big flavor from the herbs. It’s perfect for serving with your favorite pasta or eating warm right out of the oven.

I have been to the Macaroni Grill only once and I probably should have just ordered a salad because, by the time my meal came, I was so full from their homemade rosemary bread that I could barely eat my meal. I knew I had to make it at home and did just that. It turned out so delicious that it’s highly requested for holidays and Sunday dinners. We like to serve it with this Italian herb dipping oil or dip it into a bowl of this slow cooker creamy potato soup or my slow cooker Zuppa Toscana.

Homemade Rosemary Bread

Fresh bread baking in the oven – perhaps one of the best smells coming from ovens, in my opinion.  Growing up, I used to think making homemade dough from scratch was a huge ordeal. Breadmaking really is a simple process that works alone. For the rising of the dough, you do nothing but give it a nice warm place to do its magic. Then bake as your recipe directs and get ready to enjoy a warm slice with butter.

This recipe couldn’t be simpler, and if you’ve never baked from scratch, it’s the perfect one to start with; easy steps and just a few ingredients. You’ll end up with two amazing loaves and wish you had doubled the recipe.

Enjoy the freshly baked loaf with this Skillet Chicken Parmesan or a bowl of Minnesota wild rice soup.

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 Timesaving Tips and Variations

• Be sure your yeast is fresh and not expired. Expired yeast will not activate or allow your dough to rise.
• Use warm water: Warm water activates the yeast more quickly, which can speed up the rising process. The water needs to be between 110-115 degrees. I use an instant-read digital thermometer for this.
• Be sure you set your dough in a warm place to rise, with no drafts.
• If you don’t have fresh rosemary, dried works too – just use half as much.  Italian seasoning also works in place of the rosemary as does oregano or thyme.
• Add some minced fresh garlic to the dough for a twist.
• Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese or other cheeses into the dough.
• Skip the herbs and add red pepper flakes or jalapeño peppers for a bit of heat.

Using the tips above will give you the best loaf of goodness that you created yourself.

Can I bake rolls with this bread dough?

Yes! As with other recipes using yeast, this dough can be turned into more than just loaves of bread.  You can shape the dough into equal portions for rolls, or mini loaves.  Get creative! The only real thing to remember is not to over knead the dough and once in the desired shape, to let it rise the second time before baking.  Of course, baking times will vary depending on the size and shape of your dough.

What to Serve with Homemade Rosemary Bread

Besides soups, there are endless dishes you can serve this baked loaf with not to mention it would make a great base for a sandwich.

• Easy Slow Cooker Lazy Lasagna
• Cheese Manicotti
• Melt in Your Mouth Perfect Oven Pot Roast
• Onion Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
• Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

You can’t go wrong with whatever you serve it with. It’s going to be good!

A slice fresh from the warm oven served with a salad makes a light lunch. Add slices to cheese and meat charcuterie boards.

Tools Used to Make Homemade Bread

The tools you need are listed here and I do recommend a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. I’ve linked to my favorite one.

• KitchenAid stand mixer (comes with a large bowl)
• large bowl (if your mixer doesn’t come with one)
• whisk
• measuring cups and spoons
• instant-read digital thermometer
• large baking sheet or two medium-sized ones
• wire cooling rack

💡Explore my favorite Baking Essentials (Amazon affiliate link)

Ingredients

The ingredients to this recipe are simple and you most likely will have everything in your pantry. You can find fresh herbs in the produce aisle of your local market.

• warm water
• active dry yeast (I like to use Fleischmann’s yeast)
• sugar
• extra virgin olive oil
• all-purpose flour
• fresh rosemary
• fine salt
•  kosher coarse salt, optional

How to Make Homemade Rosemary Bread

Making this recipe is easier by using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and the dough hook for this recipe. It’s easier to mix the dough with the paddle attachment, and then change to the dough hook to let the machine knead the dough.  

Step 1

In a large bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together ¼ cup water, yeast, and sugar until yeast has dissolved. Let rest for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, the remaining ¾ cup warm water, 1½ cups flour, 3 tablespoons rosemary, and fine salt to the bowl.

Step 2

Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer, blend the mixture until combined. I found that using the paddle attachment instead of the dough hook for this step made it easier to combine the ingredients. Alternatively, you can mix it with a wooden spoon.

Step 3

Switch the paddle attachment on the stand mixer to a hook attachment and add 1 cup flour and knead the mixture on medium speed until smooth and elastic. Add additional flour as needed if the dough is sticking to the bowl.

Step 4

Cover bowl and allow to rest in a warm place until more than doubled in size, about 1½ – 2 hours.

Step 5

Scoop dough out of bowl and divide into two equal portions. Spray a large baking sheet or two medium sheets with non-stick spray or grease them lightly with olive oil. Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and shape each dough section into rounds or ovals while folding tops into the middle and then tucking and pinching seams on the bottom.

Step 6

Transfer to prepared baking sheet spacing evenly apart and allow to rest, uncovered, until more than doubled about 1½ hours. (do not cover the dough this time). 

Step 7

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, remove from oven and brush loaves with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle tops the remaining 1 tablespoon rosemary and with a bit of kosher salt. Return to oven and bake 10 – 15 minutes longer until golden brown.

Step 8

Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and place loaves on a wire cooling rack. Cool a few minutes before slicing and serving. 

Be sure to save and print this recipe to make when the craving for homemade goodness hits. It’s a perfect recipe to make for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or for any dinner!

Printable Recipe Card

 

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