Description
A quick and delicious Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread recipe combining fresh pesto, melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and crusty artisan bread. Perfect as an appetizer or snack for sharing, with a warm, cheesy, and herbaceous flavor that pulls apart easily.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 round crusty artisan bread loaf (sourdough or Italian bread preferred)
Flavored Butter
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Fillings
- 1/2 cup fresh pesto
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the round loaf in a crosshatch pattern by cutting horizontally and vertically, stopping just before reaching the bottom crust to create deep pockets without cutting all the way through.
- Mix the Flavored Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and olive oil to form a rich and aromatic spread.
- Spread Pesto and Butter: Generously spoon the garlic butter and fresh pesto mixture into each of the bread’s crevices, ensuring every pocket is filled for maximum flavor.
- Add Cheese: Stuff shredded mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan into each cut of the bread, pressing lightly to secure the cheese inside.
- Bake Until Golden: Wrap the stuffed bread in foil and place it on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh herbs if desired, and let the bread cool slightly before serving to enjoy warm, cheesy pull-apart bites.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread to hold up better and soak up fillings without becoming soggy.
- Do not overstuff the bread pockets to prevent cheese from spilling over during baking.
- Wrap the bread in foil while baking to melt the cheese evenly and keep the crust soft before the final crisp-up.
- Allow the bread to rest for a few minutes after baking to let the cheese set and make pulling apart easier.
- Add extra fresh herbs inside the pesto or on top for added flavor and vibrant color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of bread)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg