Easiest Bruschetta Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This bruschetta is easy to make with fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette over top of a French baguette. Bruschetta comes together quickly and easily!

Bruschetta is always fun to make and tastes delicious! Try a couple more variations of bruschetta recipes like thiseasy strawberry bruschetta or creamy feta and bacon bruschetta.

Easiest Bruschetta Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Easiest Bruschetta Recipe

Bruschetta is originally from Italy and is a variation of tomatoes, vegetables, beans, cured meat, and cheese. It is mixed together, then rubbed the bread with garlic and brushed over the top of the bread. This bruschetta is one of my favorites during the year. It is light and filling at the same time. Every bite is zesty and flavorful! Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze over the top and you have one amazing appetizer!

The warm crispy, crunchy bread melts in the shredded mozzarella overtop the tomato mixture. Together this makes the perfect combination! Use up all your fresh tomatoes with this tried and true favorite. This appetizer is perfect for any occasion and great to use as an appetizer, party snack or light lunch. Because it is so light and tasty, everyone will want more!

Bruschetta Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients to make a sweet and savory appetizer. Try it out over some delicious bread and then you won’t be able to stop! Check out the bottom of the post for all of the exact ingredient measurements.

  • Baguette: Slice the bread into thin, even slices.
  • Olive Oil:Brush the oil over the top of each slice of bread.
  • Roma Tomatoes: Freshly diced ripe tomatoes.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded cheese lays smoothly over the top of the tomato mixture and softens with the warm bread.
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette:This is a very dark concentrate that is rich in flavor.
  • Olive Oil:The olive oil adds a rich flavor to the tomato mixture
  • Garlic Cloves: It is best fresh and minced. If you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves then you can use minced garlic from a jar. 1 garlic clove equals about 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic.
  • Basil:Fresh basil is thrown in for color and flavor!
  • Salt and Pepper: These will enhance all of the flavors in the bruschetta.
  • Balsamic Glaze:Drizzle overtop the tomato mixture for a garnish and glaze.

How to Create the Perfect Bruschetta

This recipe is simple to make yet it packs a punch in looks and flavor. Your friends and family will ask you for the recipe because it’s so delicious!

  1. Prepare Bread:Slice a baguette and line it on a baking sheet.Then, brush the top with olive oil and broil it 2-3 minutes until brown. When it’s brown then you can remove from the oven.
  2. Mix Together:In a medium-sized bowl combinethe tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic, olive oil, garlic, basil and salt and pepper.
  3. Top the Bread:Add the mixture to the top of the bread and then drizzle it with balsamic glaze.
Easiest Bruschetta Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips and Variations

There are a few things that you can do to make sure that your bruschetta turns out perfectly! Here are a few tips to help you out.

  • Fresh: It is best to try using the freshest ingredients for the tomato mixture. Since fresh produce doesn’t last long then purchase it a day or so before to plan on making this appetizer.
  • Toasting Bread: Move your oven rack a few inches below the top of the oven. Then, broil the bread for a few minutes.
  • Cheese: Store-bought pre-shredded cheese has an extra coat of flour overtop, which is hard to blend together. I like to purchase a block of cheese and then shred it myself.
  • Add In: Try adding in nuts or sunflower seeds to add in a delicious taste and texture!
Easiest Bruschetta Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

What Kind of Bread Should I Serve With It?

Several slices of bread are best for bruschetta. A classic one is always the baguette. It is crunchy outside a soft and sweet inside. I also love using French bread or crostini.Even crackers or chips taste delicious with this classic and traditional bruschetta.

Easiest Bruschetta Recipe - The Recipe Critic (4)

How Long Does Fresh Bruschetta Keep?

  • Making Ahead: It is best to serve this right away but knowing to have it ready ahead of time will also work. Bruschetta can keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Stir it up when you are ready to eat it, and then top it on the toasted bread.
  • Leftovers: If you have any leftover bruschetta, then try adding it on top of baked or grilled chicken!

More Delicious Appetizer Recipes

I love trying out new appetizers! There are so many different things that you can make so there is always something for everyone! Try out some more of my favorite appetizers that can be made for any occasion!

Appetizers

Caprese Skewers

20 mins

Appetizers

Air Fryer Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

10 mins

Appetizers

Raspberry Baked Brie

40 mins

Appetizers

Shrimp co*cktail

10 mins

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Easiest Bruschetta Recipe

5 from 4 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

This bruschetta is easy to make with fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette over top of a French baguette. Bruschetta comes together quickly and easily!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 Slices

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Slice a baguette and line it on a baking sheet. Brush the top with olive oil and broil it 2-3 minutes until brown. Remove from the oven.

  • In a medium sized bowl combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic, olive oil, garlic, basil and salt and pepper. Top the bread with the mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Notes

Originally Posted on May 24, 2020

Updated on November 3, 2022

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 144mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 257IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: French

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Easiest Bruschetta Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What type of tomato is most commonly used for bruschetta? ›

Ingredients
  • Roma tomatoes. You can use whatever tomatoes you'd like, but roma tomatoes are an excellent choice-- they're chewy-fleshed tomatoes with a low amount of water, so they're perfect for bruschetta.
  • Salt. ...
  • Extra-virgin olive oil. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Fresh herbs. ...
  • Baguette or crusty bread.
Jun 30, 2023

Why does my bruschetta taste bitter? ›

Fresh herbs like basil can turn bitter if they are chopped too finely or bruised too much. Gently tear or chop them just before adding them to the bruschetta. Another factor could be overripe or low-quality tomatoes, which can taste bitter. Try using fresh, ripe tomatoes for a sweeter flavor.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Tomato skins and seeds can be bitter, and removing them improves the flavor and texture of your bruschetta topping. Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy.

Should you deseed tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

If you're using beefsteak or medium to large heirloom tomatoes, take the extra time to peel and seed tomatoes before dicing them. Not only can thick tomato skins and bitter seeds add a less-than-desirable flavor and texture to your topping, but seeds add extra water, which can make your toasts runny and even soggy.

What can I use instead of basil for bruschetta? ›

If you must use a basil substitute, try some oregano, thyme, or marjoram in your bruschetta recipe.

What neutralizes bitter taste? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

Is bruschetta supposed to be hard? ›

Bread used for bruschetta can be either hard or soft. Some people like their bruschetta crunchy, and at any rate the toppings tend to soften the bread slices somewhat.

How long is homemade bruschetta good for? ›

Really you should try to only make as much as you can eat in one night, as this bruschetta does not store very well. If you really need to store some leftovers, place the tomato mixture in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator. The mixture will keep for about 2-3 days but is best eaten fresh.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 47.2M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

What qualifies as bruschetta? ›

In its most simple form, bruschetta is a tasty tomato topping for toasted slices of crusty Italian bread. Traditionally, it's made with red ripe tomatoes, chopped herbs and extra virgin olive oil, but really, there are so many variations of bruschetta to fall in love with.

How do you upgrade bruschetta? ›

40 ways to make your bruschetta even better
  1. Grilled haloumi and tomato bruschetta with za'atar caper salsa. ...
  2. Roasted capsicum bruschetta. ...
  3. Bruschetta with butter-braised zucchini and smoked salmon. ...
  4. Eggplant, fennel and burrata rye bruschetta. ...
  5. Tomato conserva bruschetta. ...
  6. Mushroom bruschetta with garlic and macadamia pesto.

Why do chefs remove tomato seeds? ›

Scoop the seeds out from your tomatoes because otherwise they can ruin the consistency and make your dish watery. When adding tomatoes to a salad, it's best to remove the seeds because the extra moisture can make your lettuce soggy and the seeds can play havoc with your teeth!

What kind of tomatoes do Italians use? ›

A DOP Italian tomato that's probably the best known in the world is the San Marzano tomato. San Marzano tomatoes are from the Campania region and are almost always used for tomato sauce, fresh or canned. They are somewhat elongated and have a thick and rich pulp with very few seeds.

What is the most popular tomato in Italy? ›

Simply known as San Marzano – The King of Tomatoes is one of Italy's most popular varieties. It has an intense flavor, thick flesh, and low acidity that make it perfect for creating rich tomato sauces. It is said to have fewer seeds than other varieties, which makes them easier to prepare.

What is the best type of Italian tomato? ›

San Marzano: Perhaps one of the best known varieties, the San Marzano tomato is a DOP-certified plum tomato, thin and pointed, which is grown near Napoli. Its bittersweet taste – making it perfectly suited to a variety of dishes – is beloved across the world.

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