Description
Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread delivers irresistible layers of melted cheese and herbed goodness. Perfectly baked golden edges and rich flavors make this crowd-pleasing appetizer an instant favorite you cannot resist trying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb round sourdough bread loaf
- 1 8-ounce (226 grams) bag shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce/Seasoning:
- 1 6-8 ounce (170–226 grams) jar prepared pesto
Cooking Accessories:
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by preheating to 350°F (175°C), creating the ideal temperature for melting cheese and achieving a perfectly crisp texture.
- Transform the sourdough loaf into an intricate network of cuts, slicing 3/4-inch thick sections vertically and then rotating 45 degrees to create an elegant diamond-like pattern, ensuring cuts do not completely separate the bread’s base.
- Infuse each bread crevice with a generous layer of vibrant pesto, creating a fragrant herb-infused foundation, then meticulously nestle shredded mozzarella cheese into every available opening.
- Encase the prepared bread completely in aluminum foil that has been lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray, positioning the wrapped loaf on a baking sheet to ensure even heat distribution.
- Bake the foil-wrapped bread for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly and integrate with the pesto-infused bread.
- Carefully remove the foil wrapping and return the bread to the baking sheet, transitioning the oven to broil mode for a final 1 to 2 minutes of cooking.
- Monitor the bread closely during broiling, removing it precisely when the cheese begins to bubble and develops a golden-brown surface, signaling the perfect moment of culinary completion.
Notes
- Slice with Precision: Gently glide a serrated knife through the bread, creating clean cuts without compressing the soft interior. Aim for even, gentle slices that maintain the bread’s fluffy texture.
- Cheese Selection Matters: Opt for melty superstars like mozzarella or sharp cheddar that create irresistible cheese pulls. Experiment with complementary cheese combinations like adding a sprinkle of Parmesan for depth and complexity.
- Pesto Perfection: Grab a quality store-bought pesto for convenience, or elevate the flavor with a homemade version bursting with fresh basil and aromatic ingredients. This sauce adds instant Mediterranean flair to your dish.
- Temperature Timing: Pull the bread from the oven just moments before serving to capture peak warmth and maximum cheese meltiness. Hot bread ensures a crispy exterior and gooey, stretchy interior.
- Immediate Enjoyment: Serve immediately to experience the ultimate sensory delight of crisp bread and molten cheese. The first bite should be a symphony of textures and flavors that melt in your mouth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg