Go Back
–+ servings
4 Ingredient, make ahead Cheesy Pull Apart Pesto Bread will make your life easier and all your parties more delicious!
Print Pin

Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread

his Cheesy Pull Apart Bread is made with just 4 ingredients and will have everyone swooning! It will make your life easier and all your holiday parties more delicious! It is destined to become a most requested appetizer and it's so easy AND you can prep it all ahead of time for stress free entertaining!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf french or Italian bread (I prefer Italian)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup store-bought basil pesto
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese or Italian Cheese blend

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Place the bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, make 1" diagonal cuts through the bread, leaving the bottom crust intact. Turn the bread and make diagonal cuts in the opposite direction, creating a crosshatch pattern.
  • Meanwhile, pour the melted butter into the cuts of the bread. Then, use a spoon to drip the pesto into the cuts of the bread. Finally, stuff the shredded cheese into the cuts of the bread.
  • Wrap the bread in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Place in the oven (middle rack) and bake for 15 minutes. Open the foil to expose the top of the bread and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Video

Notes

Don't miss the "how to make" recipe video at the top of the post!

How to MAKE PULL APART BREAD AHEAD OF TIME

Pull apart bread is fabulous for parties because you can assemble it all ahead of time!
SERVING SOON: If making the pull apart bread ahead of time and serving relatively soon after assembling, then follow the exact recipe up to baking, then fold in foil and transport. This works well, for example, if assembling at your home to bring to a friends house to bake - without any down time needed to refrigerate the bread.
SERVING LATER: If you are going to prep ahead and not bake the pull apart bread for a while, use softened butter, otherwise having the bread sit in melted butter for an extended period of time can make the bread soggy.  Instead, if the butter is spreadable soft, it will adhere to the dough all over but not seep into it.
REHEAT IN MICROWAVE. Your third option is to completely bake the pull apart bread, wrap in foil and store in refrigerator. When ready to serve, warm it in the microwave, starting with 90 seconds then adding 30 second intervals until warmed though.