Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (2024)

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Pesto Bruschetta combines three of my favorite things – juicy tomatoes, rich, creamy pesto and toasty bread. It’s a tasty and unique appetizer that everyone will love!

Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (1)
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Table of Contents

  1. About This Recipe
  2. How to Make Pesto Bruschetta
  3. What is Bruschetta? What is Pesto?
  4. Recipe Notes and Tips
  5. More Italian Inspired recipes to Love
  6. Pesto Bruschetta Recipe

About This Recipe

There was some nut free pesto in my fridge leftover from my creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, one of my family’s favorite meals. I also happened to have some juicy heirloom tomatoes and I was really craving bruschetta.

I whipped up some crostini and got ready make myself a nice little lunch with the tomatoes and it hit me that I had some pesto to use up. It was like a brilliant lightbulb moment as I spread some of the pesto on a small slice of bread and topped it with the tomatoes and a little Parmesan.

It was so tasty – so much was going on at once! The juiciness of the tomatoes, the creaminess of the pesto, the crispiness of the bread and the sharpness of the Parmesan all together in perfect harmony. It was by far the best lunch I’ve ever made.

How to Make Pesto Bruschetta

Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (2)

There are three main components to this recipe that are each made separately.

  1. Tomato topping – combine tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Traditional bruschetta may have onions included but I felt it was too overpowering for the pesto. Balsamic vinegar is a nice touch but also optional. I suggest making this first so the tomatoes can sit and marinate for a bit.
  2. Pesto – Homemade is preferred but you could also buy a jar from the deli or your favorite brand. I usually make this while the crostini is toasting. Fresh pesto has lots of fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. I add sunflower seeds to make it nut free, but you could also use pine nuts or walnuts.
  3. Crostini – This is the bread base. Slice a french baguette into thin pieces and toast in the oven with a little olive oil and salt.

Assembly

To assemble the pesto bruschetta, spread a small amount of the pesto on the bread, then top with the tomato mixture. Add some Parmesan cheese to top it off.

What is Bruschetta? What is Pesto?

Bruschetta is basically toasted bread with a topping, usually a tomato, basil and olive oil mixture. Pesto is a basil and olive oil based sauce, often served as a dip or with pasta. Layering the two together on top of toasted bread is a match made in heaven!

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Serve assembled pesto bruschetta toasts immediately. The pesto will be begin to brown after sitting out for a while.
  • If preparing ahead of time, store separately in airtight containers. Pesto will need to be refrigerated unless it’s an unopened jar, the tomatoes and the crostini can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese shaving or fresh basil.
  • Olive tapenade is a delicious alternative to pesto in this recipe.
Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (3)

More Italian Inspired recipes to Love

  • Creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce
  • Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
  • Creamy Three Cheese Bruschetta
  • Best Italian Spaghetti Salad

Recipe

Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (4)

Pesto Bruschetta

4.67 from 6 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Pesto Bruschetta combines three of my favorite things – juicy tomatoes, rich, creamy pesto and toasty bread for a tasty and unique appetizer.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Print RecipeReview Recipe

Ingredients

Pesto (if not using store bought)

  • 2 cups packed basil leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup olive oil more as needed for texture
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Tomato Topping

  • 1 pound Roma tomatoes about 6-8 seeded and diced
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Crostini

  • 1 French baguette cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Combine ingredients for the bruschetta in a medium size and set it aside while you make the pesto and the crostini. Bruschetta can sit out for up to 1 hour without needed refrigeration.

  • Arrange the bread side by side on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Brush each side with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.

  • Bake for 7-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. You want the crostini to be crispy but not so hard you can’t easily bite into it.

  • While the crostini is cooling, make the pesto. To a food processor or blender add fresh basil, parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds, garlic and lemon juice. Turn to low and drizzle in olive oil to emulsify. Once all the olive oil is added, continue to blend for about a minute or until pesto is smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl at least once to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed in. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.

  • Assembly: Top each piece of crostini with a smear of pesto and a spoonful of the bruschetta. Sprinkle grated parmesan or fresh basil on top if desired.

Notes

  • Serve assembled pesto bruschetta toasts immediately. The pesto will be begin to brown after sitting out for a while.
  • If preparing ahead of time, store separately in airtight containers. Pesto will need to be refrigerated unless it’s an unopened jar, the tomatoes and the crostini can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese shaving or fresh basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 244mgPotassium: 218mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 816IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg

Keyword pesto bruschetto

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Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (2024)

FAQs

What is bruschetta topping made of? ›

Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that is easy to make at home. Toasted bread is topped with tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh basil. Use a high-quality balsamic vinegar for best results.

Does bruschetta go in the fridge? ›

Once the bread is lightly toasted, rub garlic on each slice and spoon on the tomato mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if desired, and enjoy! Store any excess bruschetta in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

What do Italians eat with bruschetta? ›

Many parts of Tuscany serve bruschetta along with cuts of meat like prosciutto crudo, chicken livers, fresh sausage or lard, which melts delightfully into the warm toasted bread.

What do Italians eat for appetizer? ›

Delizioso! 5 Popular Italian Appetizers
  • Bruschetta. This unique appetizer looks as good as it tastes. ...
  • Calamari. Calamari is the culinary name for squid (but doesn't “calamari” sound much better?!). ...
  • Shrimp Scampi. Love shrimp? ...
  • Beef Carpaccio. ...
  • Antipasto.
Apr 12, 2017

What is the difference between bruschetta and crostini? ›

The main difference between these two toasts is that crostini is often thinly sliced, while bruschetta is usually served in thicker slices and drizzled with olive oil before it's toasted. The standard topping is diced tomato mixed with olive oil, garlic and Italian herbs—delicious, but a little boring.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Top the bruschetta right before serving to prevent it from going soggy. Alternatively, you can serve the bruschetta and topping separately and allow your guests to assemble them. Another step that can help is adding an ingredient to protect the bread from wetter ingredients.

What are the best tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

Something sweet and juicy, like heirloom tomatoes, tomatoes, vine tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. If making bruschetta when tomatoes are not in season, I recommend using grape or cherry tomatoes instead. Garlic – We will use just a clove to rub on the bread! Oil – The best extra-virgin olive oil you can afford!

Why is my bruschetta bitter? ›

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. Also, be sure you're using good quality, fresh olive oil for the best taste.

Why can't you refrigerate Roma tomatoes? ›

"You're essentially zapping flavor and texture from a tomato when you refrigerate it," says Gregory Lofts, the former deputy food editor at Martha Stewart Living. Lofts also points out that tomatoes very quickly take on odors from other foods in the refrigerator, which can further degrade their quality and taste.

What is the stuff on top of bruschetta called? ›

Ian De Pagie. food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 47M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

What's the best way to eat bruschetta? ›

Classic Tomato Bruschetta

Cool bread a few minutes, and then rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic. Drizzle bread lightly with olive oil, top with bruschetta spread and shredded Parmesan cheese, and serve.

What are 2 typical Florentine appetizers? ›

Tuscan appetizers usually include: sheep's milk pecorino cheese, cured meats like prosciutto toscano, fennel salami finocchiona, bruschetta toasts but the most Tuscan toast are crostini toscani that have a chopped liver pate slathered on.

What are examples of accompaniments for appetizers? ›

  • Bread roll 6. Canape.
  • Bruschetta 7. Seafood co*cktail.
  • Rhum and juice 8. Nachos.
  • Mushroom soup 9. Calamares.
  • Siomai 10. Salad. You might also like.

What are appetizers served before the main meal? ›

Appetizers are the first course served when seated at a table. An appetizer is meant to complement an entrée and is generally a small-portioned first course of a multi-course meal. Appetizers are meant to whet the appetite before the following courses. Appetizers connote that a dinner will follow.

Is bruschetta a full meal? ›

It's delicious just like that or, better yet, topped with fresh, flavorful combinations for the ultimate open-faced sandwich. Typically, bruschetta is a snack, first course or an appetizer, but I think of bruschetta more as a meal. I like to top this grilled bread with simple toppings and serve them with a green salad.

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