The Ultimate Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls

Last updated on March 18th, 2025

Everyone loves the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven, and these garlic parmesan dinner rolls are simply wonderful. Yes, you can buy rolls at the store, but spending time making them at home is worth the effort. Your family and friends will keep coming back for more – guaranteed!

Recipe

Ingredients

For the Rolls:

• 1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
• 1 cup warm milk (110-115°F)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

For the Garlic Parmesan Topping:

• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Steps

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Add flour, salt, egg, and softened butter to the mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when lightly pressed.
4. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball.
6. Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine melted butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
8. Brush rolls with half the garlic butter mixture and sprinkle with half the Parmesan cheese.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Immediately brush with remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with remaining cheese and parsley.

Tips and Tricks

Master the art of perfect dinner rolls with these professional insights:

• Test your yeast before starting by ensuring it foams in warm milk. If it doesn’t, your yeast might be dead.
• Use room temperature ingredients for better dough development.
• Don’t add too much flour while kneading – a slightly sticky dough will yield softer rolls.
• Create equal-sized rolls by weighing the dough and dividing by 12.
• For extra-soft rolls, place a pan of water on the bottom rack while baking.
• Don’t skip the second rise – it’s crucial for achieving the perfect texture.

How to Serve

These versatile rolls shine in multiple settings. Serve them piping hot as a side for soups, stews, or pasta dishes. They make excellent sandwich buns for leftover holiday turkey or ham. For an elevated experience, slice them horizontally and create mini garlic bread portions by adding extra cheese and broiling briefly. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat briefly in the oven wrapped in foil to restore their fresh-baked texture.

Why You’ll Never Buy Store Rolls Again

Making these homemade garlic parmesan dinner rolls takes time and patience, but the results are well worth the effort. They taste so much better than anything you can find at the store, and your guests will notice the difference. Just remember to make plenty – these rolls have a way of disappearing fast from the dinner table!

Print