Pull-Apart Cheese Bread

If this pull-apart cheese bread could be measured just by its cheese pull—the melty mozzarella that stretches from every piece you grab—it would already be a ten. Add the fact that it's only three ingredients and is super easy to make, and this crowd-pleasing finger food will be a hit at the party. With 45 minutes and a little handy knife work, you'll have a snack or side dish that will impress everyone. The brilliance is in how the bread is cut: A few lengthwise and crosswise slices across the top creates diamond-shaped pieces that are easy to grab, and lots of nooks and crannies for pesto and plenty of cheese. Bake it right before kickoff for an epic game day food that'll be better than the halftime show. It's also perfect for a holiday appetizer or a great snack anytime you get a hankering for cheesy, garlicky, herby goodness. 

Do you have to make your own pesto for pull-apart cheese bread?

Nope! Grab a jar from your grocery store to make this bread come together super quickly. However, if you feel like going the extra mile, this homemade pesto is super easy, especially if you already have fresh basil lying around. All you have to do is pile the ingredients in a food processor and pulse away. Plus, it's fresher-tasting than the store-bought stuff and lasts for about a week in the fridge.

Which cheese is best for cheese bread?

Choose any types of cheese that melt well, like mozzarella or cheddar, as they will have the best pull once the bread is baked. You can add a second cheese, like grated parmesan or crumbled blue cheese, for extra flavor. Cheese that's grated from the block will be even meltier but pre-shredded works great, too. 

How do you cut bread for cheese bread?

Using a serrated knife, cut diagonal slices across the loaf of bread, being careful not to cut all the way through. Turn the loaf 45 degrees and cut diagonal slices in the other direction to get a diamond pattern. This isn't just pleasing to the eye, but when pulled, each piece makes the perfect bite-sized portion.

What can you serve with pull-apart cheese bread?

The beauty of this bread is that is works for so many different occasions. Making an Italian recipe for dinner? It's the perfect accompaniment to a big pan of lasagna. It's also an easy party snack to toss together before friends come over. Add a bowl of marinara and let everyone dunk the bread right in!