Pesto Garlic Bread is the herby, basil pesto-packed cousin of your favourite garlic bread.
Just by adding basil pesto to your usual garlic bread recipe, the result is a unique twist on this traditional side, making it a standout in its own right.
This basil pesto garlic bread is the ultimate side dish to serve with anything from soups to steak to pasta.
I love to use pesto in my cooking; it is one of those ingredients that definitely packs a punch when it comes to adding extra flavour. It's one of my favourite ways to add a different taste to our usual dinner rotation, even our sides like garlic bread!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
- quick recipe
- fast side dish
- change up your usual garlic bread recipe
What you need to make this recipe
*Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with exact quantities and detailed instructions
- loaf of bread (unsliced) - I used pane di casa
- basil pesto - I used homemade, but you can use store-bought too
- salted butter
- fresh garlic
- salt
- parmesan cheese
*Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with exact quantities and detailed instructions
Substitutions for pesto garlic bread
- pane di casa - other options could include sourdough, ciabatta or vienna, most full-sized loaves of bread will work
- basil pesto - sub with another flavour of pesto, such as red pepper or rocket pesto
- fresh garlic - sub with garlic powder (½ teaspoon for each clove)
- salted butter - unsalted butter with an extra pinch of salt
How to make pesto garlic bread
- Combine pesto, softened butter, garlic and salt.
- Slice the loaf into 2 halves lengthwise.
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- Spread the garlic butter mixture over the bread.
- Sprinkle with parmesan, place on a baking tray and bake.
Top tips for the best result
- Want to use more garlic? Go ahead! I use 2 cloves because there is already garlic in the pesto.
- Lining the baking tray/sheet with aluminium foil or baking paper is completely optional, as the bread won't stick to it. You can line it for easier cleanup if you like.
Storage
This pesto garlic bread is best eaten hot out of the oven.
The recipe is suitable for freezing (before baking), then defrost and bake as normal.
Options for making ahead
- prepare the garlic pesto butter ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until needed.
- or make the whole recipe (up until the baking stage), sandwich the 2 bread halves together with a sheet of baking paper in between, wrap the whole loaf with plastic wrap, then keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake - the ultimate in easy comfort food. With rotisserie chicken and pasta in a rich and creamy basil pesto sauce, sprinkled with mozzarella cheese and baked in the oven.
Roasted garlic butter - drizzle a bulb of garlic with olive oil, then bake it in the oven for richly roasted garlic cloves that make the best garlic butter.
Bread Crisps - buttery, crispy little slices of baguette, brushed with garlic butter and oven-baked - great for dips and appetisers.
📖 Recipe
Pesto Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 3 tablespoons basil pesto
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ¼ teaspoon cooking salt
- 1 loaf pane di casa bread 28cm x 12cm approx
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
Watch me make this recipe
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180℃.
- To a small bowl, add softened butter, basil pesto and salt, then stir well to combine.3 tablespoons salted butter3 tablespoons basil pesto¼ teaspoon cooking salt2 garlic cloves
- Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise.1 loaf pane di casa bread
- Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
- Sprinkle both halves with parmesan, place on a baking sheet (cut side up) and bake for 10 minutes.2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Feel free to up the amount of garlic if you like, I go with 2 cloves because there is already garlic in the basil pesto.
- Line the baking tray/sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper if you like for easy cleanup.
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Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
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