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.


Homemade Pesto on Bread Recipe: Tips for Making 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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-guide-to-pine-nuts), and cheese pounded together into a thick, green paste. 

Serve pesto bread alongside fresh [bruschetta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bruschetta), or enjoy it on its own as a flavorful alternative to [garlic bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-garlic-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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home) for an instant recipe upgrade, or purchase a fresh baguette from a local bakery or grocery store. Craft a tasty homemade [pesto](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-basil-pesto-easy-recipe-and-tips-for-making-perfect-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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/artichoke-pesto-recipe), fresh red pepper pesto, and [asparagus pesto](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/asparagus-pesto-recipe) are great options. 

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.


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, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-guide-to-pine-nuts' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-guide-to-pine-nuts","linkCopy":"pine nuts","category":null}'>pine nuts</a>, and cheese pounded together into a thick, green paste. Serve pesto bread alongside fresh <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bruschetta' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bruschetta","linkCopy":"bruschetta","category":null}'>bruschetta</a>, or enjoy it on its own as a flavorful alternative to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-garlic-bread' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-garlic-bread","linkCopy":"garlic bread","category":null}'>garlic bread</a>.

What Is Pesto Bread?

Home cooks of all levels can make pesto bread successfully. Follow these tips to make the most of your cheesy pesto bread: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 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 <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home","linkCopy":"baguette","category":null}'>baguette</a> for an instant recipe upgrade, or purchase a fresh baguette from a local bakery or grocery store. Craft a tasty homemade <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-basil-pesto-easy-recipe-and-tips-for-making-perfect-pesto' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-basil-pesto-easy-recipe-and-tips-for-making-perfect-pesto","linkCopy":"pesto","category":null}'>pesto</a>, or use a high-quality store-bought option for ease. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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 <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese","linkCopy":"cheese","category":null}'>cheese</a> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Try alternative pesto. Top your bread with a novel spin on the classic basil pesto recipe. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/artichoke-pesto-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/artichoke-pesto-recipe","linkCopy":"Artichoke pesto","category":null}'>Artichoke pesto</a>, fresh red pepper pesto, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/asparagus-pesto-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/asparagus-pesto-recipe","linkCopy":"asparagus pesto","category":null}'>asparagus pesto</a> are great options. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Pesto Bread 

Homemade Pesto Bread Recipe 

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.