• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking My Dreams
  • Recipes
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • Work with me
    • Portfolio
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • Work with me
  • Subscribe!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers » Classic Tomato Bruschetta

    Classic Tomato Bruschetta

    Published: Jul 4, 2021 · Modified: Apr 13, 2022 by Jessica Montanelli · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sharing is caring!

    18 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • WhatsApp
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Total time to make this recipe: 15 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    two bruschetta on a wooden board

    Bruschetta is a very simple yet iconic classic Italian dish. It's just toasted bread with a hint of garlic, topped with marinated tomatoes and basil. Tomato Bruschetta is served at every Aperitivo, birthday, barbecue, or any dinner party in Italy. Because it's so easy to make and everybody loves it!

    Bruschetta (pronounced broo-SKET-tah) comes from the verb "bruscare" which means "to toast" in Roman dialect. We don't know exactly where this recipe comes from but it's hypothetic that it comes from Central and/or Southern Italy. One reason is the origin of its name, another reason is that the South of Italy is prosperous with good extra-virgin olive oil and juicy tomatoes.

    This classic dish is nowadays famous and used all throughout Italy and it's one of the most common appetizers. If you order an "Antipasto Misto" (Mixed Appetizers) in a restaurant, among the cheese, cured ham, and crostini, you'll certainly find a Tomato Bruschetta.

    At every birthday party, dinner party, barbecue, you can find a big tray of homemade Bruschetta. Because it's so quick and easy to make, and so easily scalable, it's a perfect way to feed many people in no time. The perfect Italian Bruschetta recipe is probably the easiest recipe you'll find. It has a few ingredients but you can also customize it as you prefer.

    two bruschetta on a wooden board

    How to make Tomato Bruschetta:

    ingredients list to make tomato bruschetta

    The first thing you want to do is marinate the tomatoes. Chop the tomatoes in medium-large chunks and add them to a bowl (1), season with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, chopped basil, and a pinch of oregano (2). Mix with a spoon and let the tomatoes marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature. Do not put them in the fridge as tomatoes lose flavor with cold temperatures.

    Meanwhile, slice the bread and toast it on a grill pan or under the broiler for a couple of minutes until crunchy but not completely dry. Peel a garlic clove, then rub it on the toasted bread to give it a garlic flavor (3).

    Only at the moment of serving, spoon the marinated tomatoes on top of the bread slices and also pour a bit of the delicious juice to soften the bread (4). Serve immediately, otherwise, the bread will become soggy.

    process shots on how to make tomato bruschetta

    Bruschetta Variations

    The recipe in this post is for the classic Italian Bruschetta which is usually made and served, but I like to make variations when I make it at home and you can also find some variations in modern restaurants. Below are some of my favorites and most common combinations with tomatoes.

    • Balsamic Vinegar: Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar on top to give it an extra kick
    • Smoked Paprika: Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the tomatoes to give them a smokey flavor.
    • Fresh Herbs: Add all the fresh herbs you like to the tomatoes, like parsley, fresh oregano, thyme, marjoram, chives, and so on.
    • Feta: This is one of my favorite combos. Add cubed feta to the tomatoes for a refreshing flavor.
    • Avocado: Another classic combo, add cubed avocado to the tomatoes and an extra pinch of salt. They go so well together!
    • Mozzarella: The classic Caprese but on a Bruschetta. You can't go wrong, just add cubed fresh mozzarella (try also with buffalo mozzarella or Burrata) with the tomatoes.
    • Pesto: Add a tablespoon of fresh basil Pesto to the tomatoes to give them a fantastic summer flavor.
    • Any other ideas? Let me know in a comment! 🙂
    bread and tomatoes on a wooden cutting board

    FAQ & Tips

    What's the best type of bread to make bruschetta?

    For the best result, use crusty Italian bread. Otherwise, you can also use any crusty sourdough bread, Baguette, or Ciabatta bread.

    Can it be made ahead of time?

    You can grill the bread in advance and prepare the tomatoes a few hours in advance and let them marinate at room temperature. Do not keep the tomatoes in the fridge or they'll lose flavor. Top the bread with the tomatoes only at the last minute, otherwise, it will become soggy.

    Which type of tomato should I use?

    The best tomatoes for bruschetta are tomatoes on the vine. But you can choose any tomato good for salads, such as red beefsteak tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes.

    two bruschetta on a wooden board

    The Recipe

    If you like this recipe, try also these other Appetizers recipes:

    • Mushroom Patè Crostini
    • Italian Artichoke Dip
    • Tarallini, Aperitivo Snack
    • Italian Shaved Artichoke Salad

    If you want to learn more about Italian Aperitivo, check this Guide for the perfect Italian Aperitivo at home.

    two bruschetta on a wooden board

    Classic Tomato Bruschetta

    A classic Italian staple. Tomato Bruschetta is always present in Aperitivo buffets, dinner parties, and birthday parties. It's ready in no time and it's the perfect summer appetizer!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Jessica Montanelli

    Ingredients

    • 8 Bread slices
    • 1 clove Garlic
    • 4-5 Tomatoes
    • 5-6 Basil leaves
    • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
    • Salt
    • Oregano

    Instructions

    • Chop the tomatoes in medium-large chunks and add them to a bowl, season to taste with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, chopped basil, and a pinch of oregano.
    • Mix with a spoon and let the tomatoes marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature.
    • Meanwhile, slice the bread and toast it on a grill pan or under the broiler for a couple of minutes until crunchy but not completely dry.
    • Peel a garlic clove, then rub it on the toasted bread to give it a garlic flavor.
    • Only at the moment of serving, spoon the marinated tomatoes on top of the bread slices and pour a bit of the delicious juice to soften the bread.
    • Serve immediately, otherwise, the bread will become soggy.

    Notes

    For the best result, use crusty Italian bread. Otherwise, you can also use any crusty sourdough bread, Baguette, or Ciabatta bread.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 100 kcal | Carbohydrates: 33 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 2 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 7 g

    Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Have you tried this recipe?Snap a photo and tag @jess.cookingmydreams or use the hashtag #cookingmydreams!

    If you like this recipe, you can leave a comment and a star rating to support me. ★★★★★
    Thank you so much!

    « Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)
    Spicy Sriracha Chickpea Salad »

    Sharing is caring!

    18 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • WhatsApp
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm an Italian who moved to the Netherlands with a true passion for food, travel, and everything handmade. I love to experiment, learn new skills, and share my knowledge about everything I do!

    This blog is my perfect escape to search for my path towards happiness. :)

    More about me →

    • jess.cookingmydreams
    • Cooking my Dreams
    • jess.cookingmydreams

    Popular Recipes

    • Ricotta and Smoked Salmon Ravioli
    • Pici Cacio e Pepe (Tuscan Pasta with Creamy Cheese and Black Pepper Sauce)
    • Classic Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
    • Classic Tuscan Lasagna
    • Soffritto (Mirepoix): What it is, how to use and how to freeze
    • Pasta with Easy Creamy Eggplant Sauce

    Subscribe and get a Free E-Cookbook

    ebook page that says 10 classic tuscan recipes.

    As Seen In

    Spring Recipes

    • Soft Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Chocolate Chunks
    • Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tartare
    • Wild Mushroom Ravioli (with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce)
    • Raspberry Chocolate mini Bundt Cakes

    Follow me

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Portfolio
    • Cooking Classes

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    I refuse.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    18 shares