Cheesy Pesto Party Bread
Cheesy Pesto Party Bread is a huge crowd pleaser. This simple party appetizer combines French or sourdough bread, basil pesto sauce, two types of cheese, a big drizzle of olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper.
Pesto Pesto Bread
I’ve made this party bread a few times here at home, and it’s beginning to be a problem. The problem being that it feeds a crowd, at least it should. Bread is our weakness around here, so testing it out is both good and bad. I really need to invite peeps over next time I make it!
What I love about this party bread:
- SIMPLE RECIPE – This simple 6-ingredient recipe is quick to make.
- FINGER FOOD – We love this delicious finger food for small family gatherings or parties with friends and neighbors.
- CHEESY GOODNESS – It’s ooey, gooey, cheesy, pesto deliciousness! Thank me later!
How to make Cheesy Pesto Party Bread:
Step 1
Make pesto sauce. Make homemade basil pesto sauce or use store-bought. Our homemade recipe freezes well if you’d like to make it in advance.
Step 2
Shred cheese. You can either use sliced cheese or shred it yourself. Stay away from pre-shredded cheese.
Step 3
Prep bread. Slice crusty bread in one-inch chunks, slicing in both directions. But DON’T SLICE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. You want the loaf to stay in tact while baking. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4
Add toppings to bread. Spoon some pesto sauce in all the crevices of the bread, attempting to get some way down in the cracks of the bread. Then use your fingers to add as much cheese in the crevices as well, trying to get some into every inch of the bread. As the bread gets full, you’ll need to be careful to avoid breaking it apart.
Step 5
Add olive oil. Drizzle some olive oil over the top of the prepared party bread. Add freshly ground black pepper.
Step 6
Add foil. Carefully place a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the bread. Don’t let the foil touch the cheese, if possible.
Step 7
Bake. Bake pesto party bread for 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F, and then remove foil and bake uncovered for a few minutes to slightly brown the cheese.
Enjoy party bread with your favorite cocktails and mocktails!
Recipe Tips:
- Keep some French bread in your freezer at all times. I take my mom’s recipe, and instead of using French bread loaf pans, I make a couple loafs in my cast iron skillets.
- Make up a double batch of pesto sauce, and freeze small portions for when you need it. BTW, when you freeze pesto sauce, the colors don’t stay as vibrant, but the taste is still wonderful.
- Keep a few kinds of cheese handy in your refrigerator. I used havarti and pepper jack, but any variety that you prefer would be just as good.
Crack open a beer, or a bottle of wine, and happy hour is NOW. Just don’t forget the party bread.
Enjoy!
xoxo ~Sue
Cheesy Pesto Party Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium French bread or sourdough loaf – cut into a checkerboard
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce – my homemade versions are on this site
- 6 slices havarti cheese – or more
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese – or more
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil – drizzle on top
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make pesto sauce. Make homemade basil pesto sauce or use store-bought. Our homemade recipe freezes well if you’d like to make it in advance.1/2 cup pesto sauce
- Shred cheese. You can either use sliced cheese or shred it yourself. Stay away from pre-shredded cheese.6 slices havarti cheese, 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- Prep bread. Slice crusty bread in one-inch chunks, slicing in both directions. But DON’T SLICE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. You want the loaf to stay in tact while baking. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.1 medium French bread or sourdough loaf
- Add toppings to bread. Spoon some pesto sauce in all the crevices of the bread, attempting to get some way down in the cracks of the bread. Then use your fingers to add as much cheese in the crevices as well, trying to get some into every inch of the bread. As the bread gets full, you’ll need to be careful to avoid breaking it apart.
- Add olive oil. Drizzle some olive oil over the top of the prepared party bread. Add freshly ground black pepper.2 Tablespoons olive oil, freshly ground black pepper
- Add foil. Carefully place a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the bread. Don’t let the foil touch the cheese, if possible.
- Bake. Bake pesto party bread for 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F, and then remove foil and bake uncovered for a few minutes to slightly brown the cheese.
- Enjoy party bread with your favorite cocktails or mocktails!
Notes
- When cutting the bread in chunks, be careful to NOT cut all the way through the bread. You want it to stay in tact.
- Using homemade pesto sauce is best, but store bought is ok too.
- You can use a variety of different cheeses, according to whatever you like best.
- Using a foil tent during part of the baking time will ensure the cheese doesn’t burn. Just watch it carefully.
This bread was a perfect snack for our NYE party! Huge hit with all our friends! I used a jar of your homemade pesto recipe that I had stored in my freezer, so this bread was so quick and easy to make. Will definitely be making again!
Oh this makes me happy! Thanks for letting me know, Brynn!
What an awesome idea/recipe. Plus, the name is perfect for me. I love Cheesy. I love Pesto. I love Party. I love Bread! So, I must love Cheesy Pesto Party Bread!