Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread
A warm and cheesy bread topped with homemade pesto, perfect for meal prep or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Pesto Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh Basil leaves Remove leaves from stems and wash thoroughly.
- 1/4 cup Pine Nuts Toast in a skillet for added flavor.
- 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Use freshly grated for better flavor.
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil High-quality olive oil enhances the flavor.
- 3 cloves Garlic Peeled and chopped.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper Freshly ground for best flavor.
Bread and Cheese
- 1 loaf Bread Any crusty bread or baguette.
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella For that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Rinse and pat dry the basil, then chop roughly.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes.
- Peel the garlic cloves and slice the bread in half lengthwise.
Cooking
- In a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pulse until finely chopped, then slowly add olive oil while blending until smooth.
- Spread the basil pesto generously on the cut sides of the bread.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pesto.
- Place the bread on a baking sheet, cut side up.
Serving
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For added flavor, add lemon juice to pesto. Use day-old bread for better texture. Can be made gluten-free or dairy-free depending on your preferences.