Description
A delicious cheesy garlic pesto bread that is perfect as an appetizer or side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf crusty bread (like sourdough or ciabatta)
- 1 cup basil pesto sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Bread: Place the loaf on a cutting board and use a serrated knife to make diagonal cuts across the bread, forming a criss-cross pattern. Ensure you do not cut all the way through the bottom.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then use a spoon or butter knife to spread the mixture evenly into the cuts and over the surface of the bread.
- Add Pesto and Cheese: Use a small spoon to drizzle the pesto sauce into each cut, making sure it’s well-distributed. Stuff the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan into the cuts, ensuring every section is filled.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil over the top of the bread for extra richness and baking crispness.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the prepared loaf in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Unwrap and Crisp: After 15 minutes, carefully unwrap the foil to expose the top of the bread. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden and crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Cheese Variation: Feel free to substitute with other cheeses like cheddar or fontina for a different flavor profile.
- Pesto Variety: You can use different types of pesto, such as sun-dried tomato pesto, for variety.
- Crispiness: For extra crispness, place under a broiler for the last 2 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg