Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread {easy, 4 ingredients}

by Dorothy Reinhold on July 29, 2019


Print This Post Print This Post Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread: People will go crazy for this Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread that's like garlic knots gone wild. Cross cutting the bread makes the loaf easy to pull apart. | ShockinglyDelicious.com

People will go crazy for this Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread that’s like garlic knots gone wild. Cross cutting the bread make it easy to pull apart.

When I used to be grumpy McGrumperson, I would turn on “The Chew” to get me out of my funk. It used to play near lunchtime, so I might even have been chewing as I watched “The Chew.”

Although the show ended in 2018, I really miss it. It was hard not to smile at the antics of the zany crew, who flitted from topic to delicious topic on their hit ABC daytime show. I’ve loved mischievous Clinton Kelly since he was on “What Not to Wear,” (which, by the way, I could have starred in, since that describes my fashion sense; but I digress), and tall-drink-of-water Carla Hall is not only funny and smart, but she has incredible style, both in her clothing and her food. (The less said about Mario Batali, the better, due to revelations about his behavior through the years.)

Pull Apart Pesto Bread recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.comThe Chew An Essential Guide to Cooking and EntertainingIt’s Carla’s Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread that struck me when I first paged through the cookbook by The Chew crew: The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining. Recipes, Wit and Wisdom from The Chew Hosts,” (Kingswell Publisher).

The cookbook is chock full of delicious favorites from the hosts and their families, everything from modern ways to get dinner on the table (Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Fingerling Potatoes) to “Old Faves New Flaves” like Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter, to a new spin on a classic breakfast like Omelette in a Jar.

Croissant Bread Pudding on ShockinglyDelicious.comSpeaking of breakfast, the Croissant Bread Pudding (with Nutella, no less!) has my teenager’s name written all over it.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread on ShockinglyDelicious.comBut let’s get back to my obsession, the Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread.

Here’s what Carla Hall says about the Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread:

Carla-Hall“Every single time I make this dish, people go crazy for it; and it’s so simple that you don’t even have to make anything from scratch . . . it’s the ultimate cheat! And if you’re going to throw a party, sometimes you need a little help from the grocery store—you know? It’s got everything you want in a garlic bread and more. First, I drizzle this baby with butter, then stuff it with cheese, and slather it with tangy pesto. It’s like garlic knots gone wild!”

Chew on this, friends!

Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Yield: Serves 12

Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread

People will go crazy for this pesto-stuffed cheesy bread that's like garlic knots gone wild. Cross cutting the bread make it easy to pull apart.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French or Italian bread
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup store-bought basil pesto
  • 1 1/2 cups 3-cheese blend (mozzarella, Parmesan, and Asiago)

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 375° F degrees.
  2. Place the bread on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to make 1-inch 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Place in the oven to bake for 15 minutes. Then, open the foil to expose the top of the bread and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
  6. Serves 12.

Notes

Recipe source: Courtesy of Carla Hall from “The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining. Recipes, Wit and Wisdom from The Chew Hosts.” Recipe and photos used with permission by Kingswell Publisher, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/cheesy-pull-apart-pesto-bread/

I’m chewing. Are you?

areyoupinningPin the Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread image below to your Pinterest board to save this recipe for later.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread recipe from Carla Hall and The Chew on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Disclosure: The publisher sent a copy of the cookbook for review, and granted permission for me to republish the recipe and use the photos. All opinions are my own.

This recipe was first posted on Shockingly Delicious in April 2016, reposted April 2017, and has been refreshed and reposted today.

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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

carrie @ frugal foodie mama April 14, 2016 at 9:03 am

You know, I hardly watch television during the daytime anymore, but I caught an episode of The Chew when I was in the waiting room at the doctor’s office the other day and remembered how much I love that show! 🙂 This pull-apart bread looks incredible. I mean, gooey cheese and pesto? How can you go wrong?

Reply

Kristen April 14, 2016 at 7:59 am

Dorothy–this looks incredible. It would go great with my favorite Italian comfort foods!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold April 14, 2016 at 8:56 am

Kristen,
It would! Or else I could make dinner from this alone…carbaholic!

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Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) April 14, 2016 at 6:08 am

Ex-SQUEEZE me? This looks absolutely phenomenal. I love anything at all with pesto, and of course cheese is a given in my house. This awesome recipe (thanks Carla!) is so pretty that anyone in its vicinity would attack it. I know I would!

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Dorothy Reinhold April 14, 2016 at 8:56 am

Dee Dee,
Let’s all bow to Carla today!

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Sabrina April 13, 2016 at 11:03 pm

There’s something about cheesy bread that makes it a perfect appetizer! This looks delicious!

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Serene @ House of Yumm April 13, 2016 at 6:53 pm

Loving that stretchy cheese! Swoon!

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Jennifer A Stewart April 13, 2016 at 6:40 pm

Carla is so awesome @ I loved her on Top Chef!!! This bread WILL be at my next party!

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Dorothy Reinhold April 14, 2016 at 8:57 am

Jennifer,
Take a picture and show me!

Reply

Roxana April 13, 2016 at 1:55 pm

Dorothy, the bread looks delicious! I didn’t realize this cookbook was out! Thank you for sharing!

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Amanda | The Chunky Chef April 13, 2016 at 12:42 pm

That photo with the stretchy cheese… just perfect!!

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SallyBR April 13, 2016 at 7:17 am

Well, if that first photo doesn’t make a heart melt, there’s something wrong with the heart! 😉

now I need to investigate the show which I’ve never watched, and the cookbook too, just for good measure! 😉

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Heather Kinnaird April 13, 2016 at 7:05 am

holy cow! this bread looks SO good

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Betsy | The JavaCupcake Blog April 13, 2016 at 6:59 am

That pesto inside is so pretty! LOVE this!

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Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary April 13, 2016 at 6:14 am

I am drooling over here Dorothy… I love pull apart with tons of cheese! and the pesto… hmm..just like it!

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Marye Audet-White April 13, 2016 at 4:42 am

This bread looks fantastic, I need to try this!

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Dorothy Reinhold April 13, 2016 at 6:10 am

Oh yes, you DO Marye!

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Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine April 13, 2016 at 3:57 am

I’ve sadly never had pull apart bread!!!! CRAZY!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold April 13, 2016 at 6:11 am

Rebecca,
You need to get on that!

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Megan {Country Cleaver} April 12, 2016 at 8:20 pm

There is nothing better than carbs and cheese! Then this pesto? YUMOH

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Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life April 12, 2016 at 7:28 pm

My family would go crazy for this. We are pesto fiends. I think we still have a couple more batches in the freezer from last summer…it’s always a challenge to make it through the fall, winter and spring with what we freeze. Definitely trying this!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold April 13, 2016 at 6:12 am

Michelle,
I know what you mean. I sort of portion it out to get through the no-fresh-basil months.

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Katerina @ Diethood April 12, 2016 at 6:59 pm

YES to the Chew! I watch it all the time, too. 😀
And I could definitely go for a loaf of this Pull-Apart Pesto Bread – looks amazing!!

Reply

Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen April 12, 2016 at 5:21 pm

I’ve never watched The Chew, but I’m dying to make a loaf of this deliciousness!

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Dorothy Reinhold April 13, 2016 at 6:13 am

Heather,
With all the bread you bake, this is right up your alley!

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Lynne | 365 Days of Baking and More April 12, 2016 at 3:32 pm

I don’t know if you’d be able to pull me away from this bread!! Looks and sounds incredible, Dorothy. I have got to get my hands on that cookbook!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold April 13, 2016 at 6:13 am

Lynne,
I think you’ll like the book. I have a bunch of recipes bookmarked!

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Sheila @ Life, Love, and Good Food April 12, 2016 at 3:28 pm

Oh, my! I am totally all in with this recipe! Will be making this very, very soon.

Reply

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