Here’s a simple and delightful holiday appetizer that looks much fancier than it is. Whether you use homemade pizza dough and pesto or opt for store-bought, this star bread requires minimal effort. With a few twists, you’ll have a beautiful green-speckled star to shine at the center of your holiday table. Don’t forget to serve it with marinara for that perfect finish!
Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds of store-bought or homemade pizza dough
- 9 tablespoons of pesto divided
- 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
- Marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into an 11-inch circle. Place one circle on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread 3 tablespoons of pesto evenly over the dough, then sprinkle 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Place another circle of dough on top. Repeat this layering process with the remaining pesto, mozzarella, and dough, leaving the top layer bare. Brush the top layer with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Place a bowl or glass with a 3-inch diameter in the center of the dough. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal strips, starting from the bowl and going all the way to the edge, ensuring you cut through all the layers. Remove the bowl.
- Take two strips next to each other and twist them away from each other four times. Pinch the edges together to create a point. Repeat this twisting process with the remaining strips to create 8 points.
- Bake the stuffed bread until it turns golden brown, usually about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve it warm with marinara sauce on the side. Enjoy your festive star bread!