Easy Bruschetta Recipe

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I teach a class at the Flour Barn called the Ins and Outs of Charcuterie and in that class, we made bruschetta! I was shocked by how many people had never made or even tried bruschetta. We roasted garlic together, browned sourdough in butter and sampled our creation as a group. The response was overwhelming. After seeing how much everyone enjoyed the recipe, and praised its simplicity, I knew I needed to add it to the blog. Therefore, today I will be sharing my favorite Easy Bruschetta Recipe.

Every year around the middle of winter, I start to crave the fresh tastes of summer. Not just the warm sun, but the tastes of garden tomatoes, freshly squeezed lemonade and juicy corn on the cob. Whenever I get into these moods where the comfort foods of winter are just not doing it for me, I rely on my Simple Bruschetta Recipe.

This recipe is amazing all year round. In the summer you can create it almost entirely from your own garden, and in the winter these items are not difficult to find in your local grocery store. So I will give you both a solution to the winter blues, and how to make it when your garden is in full swing.

Some “Brew-sketta” trivia

The true pronunciation of this dish is “brew-sketta” although I find myself time after time saying “brew-shetta”. Bruschetta is actually referring to a slice of bread topped with olive oil and typically garlic and tomatoes. We have grown accustomed to the idea of bruschetta being the topping and that is what this recipe is centered around.

What is this Easy Bruschetta Recipe made of?

The basic ingredients of any great bruschetta recipe are tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and basil. Simple enough?

What tomatoes are best for bruschetta?

My favorite kind of tomato to use for bruschetta is cherry tomatoes. I like to plant plenty in my garden for this reason. Another way to make bruschetta is to use a mix of yellow cherry tomatoes, orange cherry tomatoes and red cherry tomatoes. The variety of color just adds to the beauty of the dish. A lot of times you can find a pack of tricolored tomatoes in your local grocery store.

What to use when you do not have fresh basil?

When basil is in season, it grows like crazy in our garden. We usually celebrate by selling caprese sandwiches at the bakery and having bruschetta for lunch every Friday while we work. I LOVE basil, but what about when it is winter and there is no fresh basil? Even if you can find it at the grocery, it’s often quite past its prime. In addition, fresh basil in February can be quite expensive!

The best solution I have found is basil paste. I have never felt like basil seasoning is strong enough for my bruschetta recipe. When I discovered this basil paste, it was just what my winter bruschetta needed. The conversion I use is for every 8 leaves called for in fresh basil, I use one tsp of basil paste (this may vary depending on brand of paste). I originally found this basil paste at Aldi and have had trouble finding it at other grocery stores. Another option is the Pesto Paste, which has a strong basil flavor with the addition of pine nuts and garlic. It is a great alternative to fresh basil as well.

What garlic is best for bruschetta?

The simplest way to add garlic to your bruschetta is to add directly from the jar of pre-minced garlic. If you are looking for your bruschetta to be an easy meal to throw together, this is a great option.

If you are looking to go the extra mile, you can mince your own garlic and gently roast it in olive oil on the stovetop.

What kind of bread is best for bruschetta?

Baguettes

Many people eat their bruschetta with a baguette. The best way to eat your bruschetta with a baguette is to make sure you slice your baguette on the diagonal. This optimizing the surface area of the slice, meaning that there is more room and can hold more delicious bruschetta.

Sourdough

What isn’t better on fresh sourdough though? When I use one of my sourdough loaves, I cut the loaf in half and then cut the slices. This prevents the slice from being overly large, the perfect size for our bruschetta.

What cheese pairs well with bruschetta?

Fresh mozzarella

If your want to take your bruschetta up a notch, cheese is the way to do it. One way is to slice your fresh mozzarella into a disc and layer it on your bread, and then top with your bruschetta.

Marinated mozzarella

Marinated mozzarella is usually in the shape of dime sized balls. These are the perfect size to pair with the cherry tomatoes. I would add this in with your bruschetta mixture and eat it together on your slice of bread.

Shaved parmesean

Perfect addition to just top your bruschetta mixture.

Burrata

If you have never had burrata, I highly recommend it. It is mozzarella filled with cream. It is best paired with bruschetta by slathering it on your bread and top with bruschetta.

Simple Bruschetta Recipe

This crowd pleaser is great as an appetizer, light lunch or even as a meal if combined with some hardy cheeses. This is a staple for me and my family in the summer, and the perfect pick me up in the winter. Let me know how you enjoy it!