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Bruschetta with Mozzarella cheese is an easy classic Italian appetizer that combines fresh ripe tomatoes with garlic and basil on top of toasted bread. It’s quick, flavorful, and always a favorite — especially once you try it with mozzarella cheese toasts!
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Bruschetta is an Italian classic recipe that is well-liked and for good reason. It’s hard to resist the freshness of the tomato topping with basil and garlic, all atop warm toasty bread. Bruschetta is full of flavor and SO easy to make.
While I love classic bruschetta, I decided to try making it with mozzarella, and it did not disappoint. To make bruschetta with mozzarella, I start with a traditional tomato topping (lots of fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil!). Then, I prepare the bruschetta toasts and add mozzarella cheese to them while they toast up in the oven. The result is cheesy, toasty, bread that is the perfect landing place for that fresh tomato topping.
Let’s head to the kitchen and make Bruschetta with Mozzarella Cheese together!
โค๏ธ Ashley
WELCOME TO THE KITCHEN, LET’S MAKE EASY BRUSCHETTA WITH MOZZARELLA CHEESE TOASTS
Bruschetta with Mozzarella is going to be your favorite way to enjoy bruschetta. It may not be the traditional way to serve bruschetta, it’s absolutely delicious.
BRUSCHETTA WITH MOZZARELLA – TOPPING INGREDIENTS
Gather the ingredients to make the bruschetta tomato topping. You will need:
- Tomatoes – I use a combination of bright and vibrant Campari tomatoes along with cherry tomatoes. Use whatever you have available – ripe, sweet, juicy tomatoes are best.
- Fresh basil – an essential ingredient in bruschetta – it perfectly compliments the tomatoes and garlic.
- Garlic – measure this with your heart. I use about 4 cloves. Use more or less depending on your preference.
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and black pepper
BRUSCHETTA TOAST INGREDIENTS
Gather the ingredients to make the bruschetta toasts. You need:
- French Bread or other rustic, hearty bread like Italian bread, baguette or sourdough bread. I use a 24 inch loaf of French bread.
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic clove – peeled
- Mozzarella cheese – I use fresh whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded. Shred your own cheese if you can, it makes a difference!
HOW TO MAKE BRUSCHETTA TOPPING:
A flavorful bruschetta topping starts with fresh, juicy ingredients. To make the topping
- Dice tomatoes
- Thinly slice the basil
- Finely mince garlic
- Add the tomatoes, basil and garlic to a bowl
- Season the mixture- use a good quality olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and black pepper. Cover the bruschetta mixture.
- Refrigerate – I like to pace the tomato mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so that the flavors can meld together.
Bruschetta tomato tip:
After finely dicing the tomatoes, use a fine mesh strainer to drain excess liquid.
HOW TO MAKE BRUSCHETTA TOASTS WITH MOZZARELLA CHEESE:
You are going to love these bruschetta toasts with melty mozzarella cheese – so good!
- Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by spraying it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper.
- Trim the ends off of the Italian loaf, then cut into ยฝ inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl combine olive oil with Italian seasoning.
- Brush the top side of each toast with a the olive oil/ Italian seasoning blend.
- Bake 4-5 minutes. Remove the toasts from the oven, then rub the top side of each toast with a peeled garlic clove.
- Flip the toasts, top with mozzarella cheese, then bake 4-5 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted.
ASSEMBLE BRUSCHETTA WITH MOZZARELLA
The key to perfect bruschetta is that fresh tomato, basil and garlic topping along with crunchy bread. We’ve got both of those things covered, now let’s assemble. You have a couple of different options!
- Top each toast with tomato mixture then serve. Or…
- Serve the mozzarella cheese toasts on a platter with a bowl of the bruschetta topping.
Try adding a balsamic glaze drizzle for a little extra something! It looks great and tastes amazing!
HOW TO CUT BASIL FOR BRUSCHETTA
It is best to use the chiffonade technique when using basil for bruschetta. Alternatively, gently tear the leaves into small pieces by hand.
To Chiffonade Basil (thinly slice it):
- Stack the leaves
- Roll them up (length-wise)
- Thinly slice with a sharp knife – this creates ribbons of basil perfect for bruschetta
Whether you are serving bruschetta as an appetizer, or a snack, it is versatile and perfect for so many occasions because it’s quick to prepare, flavorful, and always a crowd favorite. I especially love it during summer months when fresh tomatoes and basil are in season and readily available.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment or tag me on social media. I love to hear from you. Enjoy!
(PS: Looking for more Bruschetta recipes? Try my Grilled Shrimp Bruschetta or Chicken Bruschetta!)
Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Ingredients
BRUSCHETTA TOPPING INGREDIENTS
- 2.5 cups tomatoes – diced (about 24 ounces of tomatoes yield 2.5 cups)
- โ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
BRUSCHETTA TOAST INGREDIENTS
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into ยฝ inch thick slices 24 inch loaf
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 8 ounces whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
BRUSCHETTA TOPPING
- Chop tomatoes, thinly slice the basil, and finely mince the garlic. Add to a large bowl.
- To the bowl, add in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover the tomato mixture and refrigerate for about 30 minutes while you prepare the bruschetta toasts.
BRUSCHETTA TOASTS
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.
- Prepare the bread: trim off and discard the ends of the French bread loaf, then slice the bread into ยฝ inch thick slices. Eyeball it. Arrange the bread on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl combine 4 tablespoons olive oil with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- Brush the top side of each slice of bread with the olive oil mixture.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven and rub a peeled garlic clove over each slice of bread.
- Flip the bread so the olive oil side is down, then top each piece of bread with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is well toasted.
ASSEMBLE BRUSCHETTA
- Top each piece of toasted bread with the tomato mixture.
- Optional – drizzle each with balsamic glaze.
- Serve and enjoy!