Description
This Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread is a delicious, savory treat perfect as a side dish or appetizer. Featuring a crispy baguette base layered with garlic butter, aromatic basil pesto, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, it’s baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf of French baguette or Italian bread
Spread
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish & Seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the baguette or Italian bread in half lengthwise and arrange both halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet for even toasting.
- Make Garlic Butter Spread: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with the minced garlic, mixing well to infuse the butter with garlic flavor. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves.
- Apply Pesto: Generously spread the basil pesto evenly over the garlic butter layer, ensuring every bite has a rich herbaceous taste.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese all over the pesto, followed by an even layer of grated Parmesan cheese for a blend of creamy and sharp flavors.
- Bake Bread: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Broil for Crispiness: For a golden-brown, crispy cheese topping, switch your oven to broil and broil the bread for an additional 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves on top, slice into pieces, and serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch but will alter the taste.
- Store-bought pesto saves time, but homemade pesto will elevate the flavor significantly.
- Keep an eye on the bread during broiling as cheese can burn quickly.
- For a spicier kick, sprinkle some red pepper flakes before baking.
- Leftover bread can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
