French Bread with Pesto and Peppers

Elevate your appetizer game with this irresistible recipe for French Bread with Pesto and Peppers—a vibrant medley of flavors wrapped in a crisp, golden crust and oozing with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly toasted French bread serves as the foundation, rubbed with garlic and brushed with olive oil for added depth. A generous spread of basil pesto enhances every bite with its rich, herbaceous punch, while roasted red and yellow bell peppers bring a smoky sweetness and stunning visual appeal. Topped with gooey mozzarella and finished with fresh basil leaves, this quick and easy recipe—ready in just 35 minutes—is an ideal choice for entertaining or indulging in a gourmet snack. Serve it warm, sliced into shareable pieces, and watch it disappear faster than you can say "pesto perfection"!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 whole French bread loaf
• 0.5 cup Store-bought or homemade basil pesto
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 1 medium Yellow bell pepper
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 whole Garlic clove
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise and place the halves cut-side up on a baking sheet.

Step 3

Rub the cut side of a garlic clove across the bread to add a subtle garlic flavor.

Step 4

Brush the bread with olive oil to ensure a crispy, golden finish.

Step 5

Slice the red and yellow bell peppers into thin strips and toss them with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Step 6

Roast the sliced bell peppers on a separate baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes, or until softened and slightly charred.

Step 7

Spread a generous layer of basil pesto over each half of the French bread.

Step 8

Arrange the roasted bell pepper strips evenly across the bread, ensuring a balance of colors and flavors.

Step 9

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the peppers.

Step 10

Bake the assembled bread in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the edges of the bread are golden brown.

Step 11

Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of flavor and color.

Step 13

Slice into smaller portions and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(839.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2057.7

Total Fat 97.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 83.1mg	0%
Sodium 4277.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 225.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 72.7g	0%

Vitamin D 18.1IU	0%
Calcium 1076.3mg	0%
Iron 18.3mg	0%
Potassium 1221.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.4%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 43.6%