Name: Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough; 9 tbsp. pesto, divided; 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese; Marinara sauce, for serving

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Introduction

This Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread is a stunning and delicious twist on traditional pizza. Filled with vibrant pesto and gooey mozzarella, it’s perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a fun family meal.

The dish is a round, star-shaped bread with 12 twisted segments forming petals around a small, smooth center. Each petal has multiple layers of light golden dough and green pesto, with the dough slightly browned and crisp on the outside. The center is a thick, flat circle of golden dough sprinkled with small bits of baked cheese or crumbs. The entire bread rests on white marbled paper, showing a rustic and homemade texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough
9 tbsp. pesto, divided
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan
Marinara, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an 11-inch circle. Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread 3 tablespoons of pesto evenly over this dough, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella. Top with a second dough circle. Repeat layering with remaining pesto, mozzarella, and dough pieces, finishing with a bare dough circle on top. Brush the top layer with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Step 2: Place a bowl or glass approximately 3 inches in diameter in the center of the stacked dough. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal strips starting from the edge of the bowl to the outer edge of the dough, cutting through all layers. Remove the bowl.
Step 3: Take two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other four times, then pinch the ends together to form a pointed tip. Repeat this twisting and pinching for all pairs of strips, creating eight pointed star arms.
Step 4: Bake the stuffed star bread in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add sliced sun-dried tomatoes or cooked Italian sausage between the layers before baking.
Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, but pat dry to avoid sogginess.
Swap pesto for a spicy arrabbiata sauce if you prefer a bit of heat.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed star bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.

How to Serve

The dish is a twisted star-shaped bread with a golden brown crust in the center, sprinkled lightly with small bits of baked cheese. Surrounding the center are multiple twisted segments, each made of several thin layers of dough with a green pesto filling visible between the folds, creating a textured look. The dough layers are pale with browned edges, and the pesto adds a rich green color inside the twists. A woman's hand with red painted nails is holding one of the twisted segments on the right side. The bread sits on a white marbled surface, and a small white bowl of red sauce is partially visible in the lower right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with gluten-free dough?

Yes, gluten-free pizza dough works well. Just be sure to handle it gently when twisting the strips, as it may be less elastic than traditional dough.

Can I prepare the bread ahead of time?

You can assemble the star bread a few hours before baking and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before baking for even cooking.