A tantalizing appetizer, this Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread has smoky bacon and bright pesto with a cream cheese-Parmesan blend.
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A step up from just some sliced cheese with crackers, this layered cheese spread includes smoky bacon and savory pesto. They're layered between a cream cheese-Parmesan blend.
Cheese appetizers like this are sometimes referred to as tortas, though that name is also used for layered sandwiches or sweet, fried cakes. So we'll stick with cheese spread!
Not only is it delicious, but it's a striking-looking appetizer, too! The dollops of pesto and diced bacon are visible across the top and on the sides, just inviting people to start digging in.
Why you'll love this cheese spread
This is an easy dish to put together, and because it needs a few hours to set in the fridge it is one you can make in advance and have ready to whip out just before your party begins!
Serve this spread with crackers sturdy enough to sink through the layers and come out unbroken (like round wheat crackers, water crackers, and pita chips/pita crackers are also great choices.)
🔪 How to make Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread
Step 1: Prepare the bacon
Cook up the bacon until it's crispy, then drain it on paper towels. When it's cool enough. chop the bacon finely.
Step 2: Blend the cheese
Mix the cream cheese with the Parmesan in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.
Step 3: Assemble the spread
Begin layering the ingredients in a pan lined with plastic wrap. Spread pesto, bacon, and the cheese blend in multiple layers. Cover the top with plastic wrap, and chill the pan in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Step 4: Serve!
Unmold the cheese onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap. Serve the cheese spread with crackers or pita chips.
Tips:
- This cheese spread gets a rest in the fridge to set it and let the flavors meld. Be sure to figure in this time when you prepare the recipe.
- It's easy to make in advance so that the spread is ready to go for your party or gathering!
The recipe for this Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread is below, and here are a few other cheesy dishes, too!
💬 What do you think of this savory, cheesy spread? Leave a comment below!
📖 Recipe
Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bacon
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, unsalted, softened
- 1 cup freshly and finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup fresh or store-bought pesto
Instructions
- Have ready a 6-inch x 6-inch square pan, or a mini loaf pan. Line the pan with plastic wrap that covers all sides and overhangs out of the pan,
Prepare the bacon:
- Cook the bacon until it is crisp and remove it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Once it is cool enough, chop the bacon finely by hand or in a mini chopper to a fine consistency. Set this aside.
Blend the cheese:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and Parmesan cheese until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- If there is any excess oil or liquid in the pesto you are using, drain this out of the pest using a fine mesh strainer.
Assemble the dish:
- Sprinkle one tablespoon of the chopped bacon over the bottom and out to the sides of the prepared loaf pan. Take 1 tablespoon of the pesto and add it in small dollops over the bacon in the pan.
- Take half of the cream cheese mixture and drop it in dollops over the bacon and pesto. Use a spoon or your fingers to spread the cream cheese mixture into an even layer and smooth the top.
- Put half of the remaining chopped bacon evenly over the cream cheese to the sides of the pan. Spread all of the remaining pesto over the bacon and to the sides of the pan.
- Drop in the remaining cream cheese mixture, spreading it over the pesto out to the sides, and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining bacon over the cream cheese and press it into the cheese.
- Bring up the overhanging edges of the plastic wrap over the top of the cream cheese to cover it completely. (Use more plastic to cover the top if needed.) Set the pan into the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Serve:
- When you're ready to serve the cheese, unwrap the plastic from the top of the pan. Invert the formed cheese onto a serving platter and peel away the plastic wrap from the surfaces, revealing the layers of cheese, pesto and bacon.
- Serve the cheese with sturdy crackers or pita chips.
Notes
- This cheese spread gets a rest in the fridge to set it and let the flavors meld. Be sure to figure in this time when you prepare the recipe. The good news is it's easy to make in advance, so that the spread is ready to go for your party or gathering!
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