Homemade Pesto on Bread Recipe: Tips for Making Pesto Bread
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jan 24, 2022 • 2 min read
Spreading basil pesto on bread and broiling in the oven is a flavorful and herby alternative to garlic bread, allowing you to enjoy this potassium and vitamin A-filled sauce in a new, creative way. All you need is a loaf of your favorite French bread and your favorite pesto sauce. Read on for a step-by-step guide to making pesto bread.
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What Is Pesto Bread?
Pesto bread is a loaf of crunchy bread sliced in half, topped with fresh homemade pesto sauce, and broiled until crispy. Pesto, which means “pounded” in Italian, is an herbaceous sauce made out of fresh basil, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, pine nuts, and cheese pounded together into a thick, green paste.
Serve pesto bread alongside fresh bruschetta, or enjoy it on its own as a flavorful alternative to garlic bread.
3 Tips for Making Pesto Bread
Home cooks of all levels can make pesto bread successfully. Follow these tips to make the most of your cheesy pesto bread:
- 1. Use store-bought or homemade ingredients. Use store-bought or homemade bread or pesto to make high-quality pesto bread. Make your own homemade baguette for an instant recipe upgrade, or purchase a fresh baguette from a local bakery or grocery store. Craft a tasty homemade pesto, or use a high-quality store-bought option for ease.
- 2. Experiment with additions. Adapt this recipe to include a pesto sauce composed of the cheeses, herbs, and seasonings of your choice. Swap the grated Parmesan cheese for Grana Padano, pecorino, or mozzarella cheese. Incorporate complementary herbs, like parsley or oregano, into your homemade pesto. Top your bread with red pepper flakes for some heat, or sprinkle on dried herbs, garlic and onion powder, or smoked paprika for added flavor.
- 3. Try alternative pesto. Top your bread with a novel spin on the classic basil pesto recipe. Artichoke pesto, fresh red pepper pesto, and asparagus pesto are great options.
Homemade Pesto Bread Recipe
makes
1 loaf of pesto breadprep time
10 mintotal time
12 mincook time
2 minIngredients
- 1
Preheat the oven broiler to high heat for 5–10 minutes. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- 2
As the broiler preheats, make the pesto. In a food processor or blender, pulse the pine nuts until a smooth paste forms.
- 3
Add the garlic and pulse until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- 4
Add the basil and a pinch of salt to the food processor and pulse a few times, until the leaves break down and a bright green paste forms.
- 5
Transfer the pesto to a bowl and stir in the oil and a ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Set it aside.
- 6
Using a sharp knife, slice the baguette in half horizontally and place the slices on the parchment paper–lined baking sheet, cut-side up.
- 7
Spread each half of the bread with half of the pesto sauce. Sprinkle the top of the pesto-covered bread halves with the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- 8
Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil the bread until it is golden brown and toasted, about 2 minutes (keep an eye on the bread as it broils to ensure it isn’t burning).
- 9
Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Slice the bread into 2-inch wide pieces and serve immediately.
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