No other recipe better represents Italy than easy homemade Bruschetta with tomato and basil. The ingredients are straightforward: bread, garlic, tomato, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. In one bite, you can feel an explosion of Italian flavor.

Italian Bruschetta served with fresh tomato and basil mixture on top.

Bruschetta is a traditional Italian dish from central Italy with endless regional variations, but the key is simplicity: top quality with a few ingredients. Alex and Stef, from Stefanias Kitchenette, will describe the classic version with a special twist to make it unique and delicious.

The Essential Ingredients:

Bruschetta is made with very simple and genuine ingredients: the fresher they are, the better the bruschetta will taste.

  • Bread: choose a rustic bread that has a crisp, golden crust. Using white bread or sandwich bread will not make an authentic bruschetta. Bruschetta requires bread that will retain its crunchiness and that, once toasted, can be handled without bending or breaking. Day-old artisan bread works great.
  • Tomatoes: choose high quality, organic, red and ripe tomatoes such as off the vine, or good slicing tomatoes.
  • Basil: Use a few fragrant leaves for this recipe. The smaller and more tender the leaves are, the more delicate the scent and flavor of basil will be. 
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: In Italy, we only use EVOO because it has just enough delicate aftertaste to enhance the other simple ingredients.
  • Garlic: It is not an authentic bruschetta without garlic. It must be fresh and organic. 

Alex’s Secrets for Perfect Bruschetta:

  • Cut the bread diagonally to get a more even slice of toast.
Slicing of a loaf of crusty bread.
  • Prepare a dressing of oil, salt, and pepper on a flat plate (and not on the bread). This will give the bread slice an even coating. Be sure the oil is well absorbed; to do this, “do the Scarpetta,” which is a gesture where you scoop all the oil from a plate (a gesture of appreciation for the goodness of the dish that may not be in line with modern table etiquette, but it is very Italian!);
A slice of bread being dipping into a plate with some olive oil on it.
  • Toast the bread only on the side seasoned with oil. The other side that gets topped with tomato mixture will remain soft. It’s a trick that gives the bread a dual texture: the final effect is a winner.
  • Prepare the tomato in advance. Let the raw tomato stand seasoned with a pinch of salt, pepper, oil, and basil for at least 20-30 minutes. The flavors and aromas will intensify, and once in your mouth, you’ll feel an explosion of Italian textures and flavors.
A bowl of tomato and basil mixture for homemade bruschetta.
  • “Quanto Basta” (meaning “just enough”) is the catchphrase in Italian kitchens. Since bruschetta is made with few ingredients, it does not need precise quantities and is made by eyeballing the amounts, combining a little of that and a little of the other. But Alex has his own rule for making a rich bruschetta with lots of tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. His perfect ratio includes one whole medium-sized tomato (or two tomatoes if they are small) for each slice of bread. Not less!

How to Peel the Tomato:

For a perfect bruschetta, the tomato must be perfect. The more evenly cut, the better the result will be. So do this:

Wash and cross-cut the tomato (slice a small “x” on one end). Blanch it in boiling water for 30 seconds, and then remove to a bowl of cold water. This will allow you to peel the tomato easily.

Once peeled, cut it into four pieces, remove the seeds and cut it into uniform half-inch-sized cubes. This way, it will be perfect for accommodating all the flavors of the dressing.

An appetizer or a snack?

Bruschetta is great for sharing with family and friends as an appetizer for brunch or dinner, or a healthy and light snack for adults and children. It can be prepared in a snap and is easy to customize.

Bruschetta toast cut in half, on a piece of parchment paper.

See below for fun bruschetta variations!

Recipe

Prep 10 minutes
10 minutes
Total 20 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 Pairing knife
  • 1 Bread knife

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices of fresh rustic bread 
  • 4-5 medium, ripe, organic tomatoes
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 12 fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (for tomato mixture)
  • ½ teaspoon salt 
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Extra-virgin olive oil (for bread dressing)

Instructions
 

  • Peel Tomatoes: Wash and cross-cut the tomato (cut an "x" on on end). Blanch it in a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove it to a bowl of cold ice water. Blanching the tomatoes will allow you to easily peel the skin off. Once peeled, cut it into four pieces, remove the seeds and cut it into uniform half-inch-sized cubes.
  • Season tomatoes: Place peeled and diced tomatoes in a bowl and season with oil, salt, pepper, and basil leaves. Mix well and let stand for at least 20-30 minutes;
  • Cut the bread into diagonal slices.
  • Prepare the dressing: in a flat dish, pour about 2 Tablespoons of oil (per slice of bread) and season with salt and pepper to your taste;
  • Season the bread: Dip the bread, on one side only, into the oil, as if making ‘Scarpetta’. Check that the entire slice surface is seasoned with the oil evenly. Repeat with all four slices.
  • Toast the bread: heat a nonstick skillet or griddle pan over high heat and arrange the bread slices with the seasoned side down. Mash the bread slices so they toast evenly when golden brown and crispy. Turn off the heat and place the toasted bread back on a serving plate;
  • Don't forget the garlic! Peel the garlic and rub it on the crusty part of the bread while it is still warm.
  • Assemble bruschetta: place the tomato on the bread slices just before serving. If you remember, add a drizzle of virgin oil again. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing Leftovers: Store tomato mixture separately. Lightly warm the bread on a nonstick pan to rewarm it, then top with tomato mixture. 
Variations:
  • Classic Bruschetta with Olives. Get some pitted green olives, chop them coarsely, and add them to classic bruschetta. You need about 10 olives per bruschetta.
  • Bruschetta with Tomato, Zucchini, and Ham: This is also a classic tomato bruschetta, to which you add thin slices of fresh zucchini, cut with a peeler lengthwise. Arrange the zucchini to decorate the bruschetta, and add a slice of ham to each slice of bread as a finishing touch.
  • White Bruschetta with Melted Cheese, Walnuts, and Honey. This is a bruschetta without tomato but has the same bread preparation as the classic version. Arrange a generous portion of cheese on each slice of bread (we recommend camembert), bake for 5 minutes at 325°F, and then garnish with coarsely chopped walnuts and 1-2 tablespoons of wildflower honey. This is a head-turning delight!

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0.1mgSodium: 327mgPotassium: 158mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.5mg

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Alex’s Variations:

Alex is a true master when bruschetta is being prepared. He can make endless variations, and all are delicious. Here are three excellent alternatives to classic bruschetta:

  • Classic Bruschetta with Olives. Get some pitted green olives, chop them coarsely, and add them to classic bruschetta. You need about 10 olives per bruschetta. 
  • Bruschetta with Tomato, Zucchini, and Ham: This is also a classic tomato bruschetta, to which you add thin slices of fresh zucchini, cut with a peeler lengthwise. Arrange the zucchini to decorate the bruschetta, and add a slice of ham to each slice of bread as a finishing touch.
  • White Bruschetta with Melted Cheese, Walnuts, and Honey. This is a bruschetta without tomato but has the same bread preparation as the classic version. Arrange a generous portion of cheese on each slice of bread (we recommend camembert), bake for 5 minutes at 325°F, and then garnish with coarsely chopped walnuts and 1-2 tablespoons of wildflower honey. This is a head-turning delight!

For more delicious Italain recipes, visit StefaniasKitchenette.com.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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  1. 5 stars
    Delicious! Easy to put together and easy to adapt with ingredients I have at home. Perfect for lunch during the warm summer months.