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Ever since I posted about this Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread, people ask for it nonstop. I first threw it together on a whim because I had a bunch of leftover garden basil pesto and plain garlic bread just felt too boring. These days, my family begs for the cheesy, pesto-loaded version and won’t settle for anything else.
What Sets This Apart
Regular garlic bread is good but this one is in another league. Adding a big messy handful of cheese and a nice slather of fresh pesto just makes every bite crazy good. Guests never stop asking how to make it. Even my old-school Italian grandma said it was a winner—and she’s not easily impressed.
Gather What You Need
- Optional: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes spices things up if you like heat.
- Cheese: Use stretchy mozzarella and tangy parmesan for the dream team.
- Pesto: Homemade is awesome when basil’s in season, but store-bought works in a pinch.
- Garlic: Only fresh garlic cloves, trust me. Skip the jar stuff.
- Butter: I prefer rich European style butter for extra flavor.
- Bread: I like getting a crunchy, fresh baguette from the bakery.
Follow These Easy Steps
- Make it Golden
- Toss it under the broiler and hang out close by. The last bit turns the top extra golden and you don’t want to let it burn.
- All the Layers
- Spread on a thick layer of the garlic butter, then swirl on pesto, then cover with so much cheese it barely fits. You want cheese everywhere.
- Slice and Prep
- Cut the baguette down the middle for two fat pieces. That way everyone gets a solid portion.
- Mix Your Butter
- Leave your butter out until it’s soft, then stir in lots of fresh minced garlic. I swear room temp butter mixes way better.
Top Tricks for Awesome Bread
After making this over and over, here’s what I figured out. Buy your bread the same day, don’t chill it. Let your butter get *really* soft. And don’t hold back on garlic. Broil it at the end, don’t skip it. That’s what makes the cheese super stretchy and makes it look amazing.
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Switch Things Up
If I’m craving a little spice, I toss in red pepper flakes. Sometimes I’ll swap mozzarella for smoked gouda and wow, that’s good. My kid loves it with a handful of sun dried tomatoes tucked under the cheese. Basically, whatever combo you try, it works.
Best Things to Eat With It
In our house, this pairs with almost anything. It’s perfect with a big, saucy bowl of pasta. On cold nights we dunk it in soup. Sometimes I serve it with a big salad and call it dinner. Nobody’s ever sad to see gooey cheese like this show up.
Stashing Leftovers
If by some miracle there’s bread left, here’s what I do. Wrap it tight and put it in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, warm it in the oven not the microwave. Five minutes at 350 makes it taste nearly as fresh as the first time.
Everyone Can Enjoy
Since my friend Sarah can’t have gluten, I’ve made this plenty on gluten free bread and it toasts up great—just keep a close eye on it. With dairy free cheese and a few tweaks to the pesto, my vegan pals are happy too. Good garlic bread should be for everybody.
Answers to Common Questions
Whenever I mention this bread, my inbox fills up. Yup, store bought pesto totally works if you’re in a rush. But don’t try to use old bread—fresh only, trust me. And if you’re avoiding dairy, I’ve taste-tested all the options (thanks to my lactose-free sister).
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Fast Snack Favorite
My teens have turned this into their after school go-to. They even make it themselves now—which is a win for me! They’ll cut it in strips and dip it in marinara. Seriously, it’s genius.
Crowd Hit Every Time
This bread always disappears at parties. For a crowd, I bake several baguettes and chop them up small. I usually have to stash a couple pieces for myself or I’ll miss out.
Fresh Greens On Top
When my herb patch is bursting, I toss a handful of basil or parsley all over at the end. The heat from the bread wakes up the herbs and everyone wonders what smells so good.
Get the Kids Cooking
Kids love helping out with this one. They go wild spreading the garlicky butter and piling on cheese. It’s messy but seeing them watch it get bubbly and brown is honestly the best.
DIY Pesto Changes Everything
When I’ve got extra time, I’ll make pesto from scratch with my backyard basil and good olive oil. The smell drifts through the whole house and suddenly everyone wants to know when it’s ready.
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Go Big and Call It Dinner
Some nights, I just pile on extra toppings so it’s a full meal. Leftover chicken or crisped-up prosciutto over the cheese? Yes please. Add a simple salad and dinner’s set.
Potluck Hero
Whenever there’s a potluck, folks insist I bring this cheesy bread. I bake it up to almost done at home, then finish it in their oven. That way it’s always hot and melty for everyone to grab right away.
Watch the Broiler Close
Broilers work fast! They give you that perfect brown, bubbling cheese—but glance away and you might burn it. I stick close and set a timer. It’s worth paying attention at the end!
Easy Feeding for a Crowd
When I’m hosting big groups, I line up all the bread and ingredients for a mini assembly line. You can fly through making a bunch back to back. Honestly, every time I do this, I wish I’d made extra because nobody stops with one piece.
More Than a Side Dish
This bread’s more than just a side in our house. It’s what we eat at birthdays and movie nights, on tough days and at celebrations. Every time I pull it from the oven, it reminds me that great food brings us together. That’s really what cooking is about, isn’t it?
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Recipe FAQs
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Just wrap any extra bread in foil and stash it in the fridge. Warm it back up at 350°F in the oven so it stays crisp and tasty.
- → Why use the broiler at the end?
- Finishing with a quick broil makes the cheese bubbly and a little crunchy on top. Don't walk away—broilers work fast and can scorch bread in seconds.
- → Could I use store-bought pesto?
- Totally. Grab a jar of quality pesto or blitz up some fresh if you’ve got the time—either one does the job.
- → Which bread should I pick?
- Fresh Italian bread or a French baguette is the way to go. The chewy middle and crisp edges really make this bread epic.
- → Can I prep this in advance?
- Yep! Spread on the garlic butter and pesto, hold off on the cheese, then finish baking fresh before you want to eat for that oozy cheese vibe.