• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hungry Enough To Eat Six
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Nancy Mock Food Writing
  • Hungry For Vermont
  • About Me
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • My Writing/Cook-Offs/Reviews
  • Delectable Destinations
  • Hungry For Vermont
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Pesto & Bacon Layered Cheese Spread

    By Nancy Mock December 28, 2017 Updated January 31, 2021 Leave a Comment

    • Share15
    • Tweet
    Cheese spread on a triangular cracker
    Parsely topped brick of pesto cheese spread

    A tantalizing appetizer, this Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread has smoky bacon and bright pesto with a cream cheese-Parmesan blend.

    Square cheese spread next to row of crackers
    → Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Sqaure of cheese and pesto spread

    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.)

    Cheese mounded in bowl next to bowl of bacon bits

    🔪 How to make this recipe

    Step 1: Make the bacon

    Diced bacon and a bowl of pesto and crackers

    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

    • Cheese, diced bacon adn a square baking pan
    • Pan with plastic wrap and chopped bacon over bottom

    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!

    Black plate with cheese spread appetizer

    Unmold the cheese onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap. Serve the cheese spread with 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!
    Cracker with bit of pesto bacon cheese spread on it

    The recipe for this Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread is below, and here are a few other cheesy dishes, too!

    Boursin Cheese BLTs
    A humble BLT sandwich gets a tasty flavor upgrade! A Boursin BLT is next level with the herby, garlicky cheese to complement the bacon, lettuce, and tomato!
    Take me there
    Take advantage of the season's best, flavorful tomatoes to make the best BLT. And there are two variations to try!
    Easy Goat Cheese Spread with Pistachios & Cranberries
    This cheese spread comes together so quickly, with a savory-sweet flavor and delicious bits of cranberry and pistachio throughout!
    Take me there
    Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
    This snacky, pull-apart bread is loaded with gooey cheeses and rich, buttery garlic flavor: perfect to share with a crowd!
    Take me there
    Baked circle of pull apart style bread on a white and red plate

    💬 What do you think of this savory, cheesy spread? Leave a star rating and comment down below!

    Sqaure of cheese and pesto spread

    Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread

    Nancy Mock
    A tantalizing appetizer, this Pesto and Bacon Layered Cheese Spread has smoky bacon and bright pesto with a cream cheese-Parmesan blend.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print This Recipe Pin This Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Chilling time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 40 mins
    Course Appetizer, Christmas, Comfort Food, Dip, Game Day, Snack, Super Bowl Food
    Servings 10 servings

    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!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 378kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 10gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 612mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1087IUCalcium: 185mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment, tell me what you think!
    « Gougères
    Mini Chicken Pot Pies »

    Reader Interactions

    Tell me what you think—comment below! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Woman smiling and standing next to rack with baking equipment.
    Hungry Enough To Eat Six.com

    Hi-ya! I'm Nancy Mock and I live in beautiful northern Vermont with my family.

    Hungry Enough To Eat Six is food inspiration through recipes, photography, and story!

    Find a recipe now - head to the Recipe Index.

    Seasonal

    • Nectarine and Cherry Trifles
    • The Best Recipes Using Radishes
    • Lilac Infused Whipped Cream
    • Cucumber Radish Salad with Lemony Vinaigrette
    • Lilac Scented Sugar
    • Velvety Lime Butter Cookie Bites

    Trending Recipes

    • Easy Spearmint Iced Tea Recipe

    • The Best Fruits of the Forest Pie Recipe

    • Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa

    • Homemade Irish Brown Bread Recipe

    • Cheesy Cheddar Kielbasa Rice

    • Sausage, Peppers & Onions on the Grill | Fair Food at Home

    As seen on:

    Logos for various websites

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About Me

    • ABOUT ME

    Newsletter

    • SIGN UP! for my newsletter

    Contact

    • CONTACT ME

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Banner with website logos

    © 2013-2022 Nancy Mock, Hungry Enough To Eat Six: Unauthorized use and/or duplication of content from this site without express and written permission is strictly prohibited. Contact Nancy Mock through the About Me page for permissions.

    ©2022 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme