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Home » Bread

Published: Aug 26, 2017 · Modified: Dec 10, 2020 by Kathy

Cheesy Pesto Bread

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Bread with a swirl of pesto and cheese inside.

Swirled Pesto and Parmesan Cheese Baked in a delicious Cheesy Pesto Bread. This savory bread is filled with a layer of basil pesto and then rolled and shaped into a delicious loaf of bread. 

Slices of Cheesy Pesto Bread on a small white plate.

Calling all pesto lovers! You've got to try this Cheesy Pest Bread! If you love pesto then I'm sure you already use pesto with pasta and on pizza and probably even on grilled cheese sandwiches, but how about baked right into a crusty loaf of bread?

Loaves of bread on a baking rack with a blue towel behind the loaves.

I've been eating this bread alongside salads, with pasta topped with marinara sauce and as a savory treat all by itself.

To Shape Bread

This bread is rolled out like a sweet roll and filled with pesto and Parmesan cheese. It's then rolled into a log, shaped into an "S" and sliced across the top so all the deliciousness is exposed while it's baking. Not only is this Cheesy Pesto Bread delicious, it's also gorgeous.

Bread dough shaped like an s and slit on the top of each loaf.

As the bread rises, the slit begins to open a bit wider.

Loaves of bread dough topped with Parmesan cheese.

Just before baking brush with olive oil and sprinkle with more cheese.

Cheesy Pesto Bread on a red and white checked napkin.

If you love making homemade bread you might want to try these other recipes:

  • Honey Oat Bread
  • Multi-Grain Bread
  • White Wheat Bread
  • Garlic Pull Apart Bread
  • Potato Bread
  • Pesto Garlic Bread

 

Don't forget to PIN this recipe for later!

 

Slice of bread with pesto folded into the center of the bread.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my bread recipes.

Sliced bread filled with a swirl of pesto and cheese.

Cheesy Pesto Bread

Kathy Berget
Homemade bread filled with pesto and Parmesan cheese.
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 2 hours hrs
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Rise 2 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 35 minutes mins
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 2 loaves
Calories 148 kcal

Equipment

  • Bread Pan
  • Stand Mixer
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
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Ingredients
  

Dough

  • ½ cup warm milk
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 cups flour

Filling

  • ½ cup pesto
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese (shredded)

Topping

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese

Instructions
 

Make the Dough

  • In a large bowl for a stand mixer, add milk, water and yeast. Stir lightly and let stand for 5 minutes until bubbly.
  • Add egg, salt, olive oil and 1 cup of flour.  Mix.
  • Add remaining flour one cup at a time, mixing between each addition.
  • Knead dough in machine for 5 minutes or by hand for 10 minutes.
  • Place in a large bowl that has been lightly greased with olive oil. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Gently deflate dough and divide into two.
  • Roll out first piece into a long rectangle, approximately 6 X 18"

Filling

  • Add ¼ cup of the pesto and half the parmesan cheese.
  • Roll dough together to form a long log. Place seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or directly on the baking sheet lightly greased with olive oil.
  • Form bread into an "S" tucking ends into the log.
  • Gently slice through the top of the bread with a sharp knife. You want to slice through about a ¼ of an inch. 
  • Repeat with second piece of dough.
  • Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.

Topping

  • Just before baking, brush olive oil on the dough and sprinkle on parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. 
  • Allow bread to cool on a baking rack before slicing.
  • Slice each loaf into approximately 10 slices.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 216mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 165IUCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

The inspiration for this bread came from King Arthur Flour,

 

 

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    How to Make Croissants
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    Homemade Focaccia Bread
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    Bread Glazes
  • A loaf of homemade white bread on a wooden cutting board.
    Homemade White Bread

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chicken Malai Boti says

    September 11, 2017 at 5:36 am

    5 stars
    Cheesy pesto bread recipe is my favorite dish.I made it many times its taste so awesome.

    Reply
  2. Ashika | Gardening Foodie says

    September 02, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    I love homemade bread...it creates such a wonderful aroma around the home. This is a beautiful recipe, combining pesto into the bread. I am looking forward to trying out this recipe. Absolutely love it!!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:01 am

      The smell of bread baking is so delicious! This cheesy pesto bread is one of our favorites.

      Reply
  3. Agness of Run Agness Run says

    September 01, 2017 at 5:58 am

    As a passionate pesto lover, this recipe is my cup of tea! Can't wait to give it a try, Kathy! Would you recommend some salad that goes with it?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:03 am

      This would be lovely paired with just about any salad, but I think one with a tangy vinaigrette would be perfect!

      Reply
  4. Adina says

    September 01, 2017 at 1:20 am

    Oh, how lovely, this is the perfect bread for guests. And I still have dozens of various pesto jars in my freezer.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:05 am

      It's time to use up that pesto! I have just been making several batches of pesto and stocking my freezer. I'm hoping to enjoy this bread all year long!

      Reply
  5. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

    August 31, 2017 at 7:23 am

    Yummy! Pinned it for future reference. Going to make it for sure!! We have our homemade pesto, and this is another great way to use it up!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:15 am

      Hi Nicoletta! I think you're going to love this bread! It has so much flavor from the pesto and cheese.

      Reply
  6. Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com says

    August 31, 2017 at 1:47 am

    Love the smell and taste of homemade bread and yours looks so gorgeous too! Pesto & cheese is such a great combination. Have a fantastic weekend, Kathy!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:33 am

      Pesto and cheese are a match made in heaven!

      Reply
  7. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    August 30, 2017 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    Pesto and bread are two of my favorite things!! I could eat this whole loaf in one sitting too 😉

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:35 am

      Me too! It's hard to stop once you get started!

      Reply
  8. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    August 30, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    Oh homemade bread how I love you!!! This is such a great idea - my basil and parsley plants are exploding - I need to make more pesto to then make some bread!!

    Reply
  9. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    August 30, 2017 at 9:23 am

    5 stars
    Those three words together - cheesy + pesto + bread - are music to my ears! This bread is SO pretty, Kathy! And it looks just delicious!! I could eat a dangerous amount of this and be perfectly content calling it dinner. I mean, it IS acceptable to just eat loaves of bread for dinner when they are this delicious, right?! 😉 Cheers, friend!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:38 am

      Totally acceptable to call this dinner! 🙂

      Reply
  10. David @ Spiced says

    August 28, 2017 at 5:34 am

    Oh, I am all about this recipe, Kathy! I love the sharpness of Parmesan, especially when it's baked into fresh bread. And pesto. Oh man, we made SO much pesto this past weekend. I think it was somewhere between 1.5-2 gallons...not kidding! We gave some away to friends/neighbors, and then we froze the rest. I'm think I need to pull some of that out to make this bread now. 🙂 It looks delicious!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 03, 2017 at 9:51 am

      This bread is just perfect for you....and if you have any extra pesto, just send it my way! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    August 28, 2017 at 4:40 am

    5 stars
    I do love pesto and I definitely love bread so this is a lovely combination Kathy! I bet this tastes (and smells) wonderful as it bakes! This one is definitely a beauty! Pinned 🙂 Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
  12. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    August 26, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    These are so pretty Kathy! You make the best breads! Love that pesto filling!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 27, 2017 at 6:41 am

      The pesto adds so much flavor!

      Reply
5 from 12 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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