Start your dinner off in style by serving Mozzarella Bruschetta for an incredible appetizer. In just a few minutes, you’ll have the cutest little toasted bruschetta with mozzarella… topped with arguably the best combination of flavors ever invented!
This is an easy bruschetta recipe with mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and garlic. It’s a combination that totally speaks to summer flavors.
Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta may just become your new favorite appetizer. It’s so simple to make and is a great way to use fresh tomatoes from your garden!
I love sharing my favorite appetizers with you. I am always happy to make an entire meal out of appetizers, actually… and this one is no exception!
It’s healthier than fried appetizers, and uses the classic Italian flavors of tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and garlic. It’s one of the best summer appetizers and I know you’re going to enjoy it!
What Is Bruschetta?
Originally, bruschetta was just toasted bread spread with garlic and olive oil. It was often topped with tomatoes and herbs, which then became the norm because it was so delicious!
Nowadays, when you hear the term ‘bruschetta’ it’s pretty much guaranteed to mean the bread and the toppings.
The toppings in a basic bruschetta are garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, basil and a little drizzle of balsamic. This one is similar, with an added layer of indulgent fresh mozzarella!
Ingredients
- Toasts – Use store bought if you’d like, but this recipe for how to make the best Easy Crostini makes it super simple. And they are so much more delicious!
- Tomatoes – We used cherry tomatoes for this recipe. However, you can use any type of tomatoes you have on hand! Roma tomatoes work beautifully for bruschetta because they are a little firmer and less watery than other options. Dice them small.
- Mozzarella – Use the freshest mozzarella you can afford! Mozzarella pearls or slices work well here.
- Basil – Fresh basil is really important in this recipe – don’t skip and try dried.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is ideal, but if you want to take a shortcut and use the pre-minced store bought version, I’ll never tell.
- Balsamic vinegar – You’ll need this to drizzle over the top. Such an incredible layer of flavor!
- Extra virgin olive oil – Good quality EVOO is an essential ingredient here!
- Salt and Pepper – We like to use cracks of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
Variations
- Try different types of tomatoes or use Blistered Tomatoes
- Switch out the Mozzarella for Burrata, Provolone or even Cream Cheese
- Drizzle with a Balsamic Glaze
- Add roasted red peppers
How to Make Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Tomato Mixture
- Dice tomatoes. Drain excess juice, if possible, and transfer tomatoes to a medium bowl.
- Slice the basil into narrow ribbons, adding to the bowl with tomatoes.
- Add minced garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper into the tomato and basil mixture, marinating for up to 30 minutes. Add Mozzarella pearls into the tomato mixture, or simply add a pearl to each crostini.
- Serve toasts or crostini piled with tomato mixture and mozzarella, with an extra drizzle of balsamic over the top.
For the Crostini
- Preheat oven to broil.
- Slice a baguette into thin slices at an angle.
- Line crostini on a baking sheet.
- Using a pastry brush, coat with olive oil.
- Optional: add a fresh crack of sea salt, black pepper or herbs.
- Broil 1 – 1 1/2 minutes, until just toasted and crunchy.
Tips
- Drain any juice from your fresh cut tomatoes if possible. This keeps the crostini more crisp and helps concentrate the flavors.
- Cut the tomatoes fairly small, no matter which type you use. This allows the tomatoes to release their juice and mix with the salt and other flavors.
- To meet the needs of guests with lower carb dietary restrictions, serve with crunchy dipping vegetables like celery sticks, sliced peppers and carrots instead of crostini.
- While it’s a classic appetizer, this also makes one of the best Italian Side Dishes.
Shortcuts
- Bottled minced garlic
- Canned diced tomatoes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, bruschetta is a classic Italian dish. However, the toppings might look a little different than they look in America. Bruschetta is traditionally just grilled slices of bread, topped with garlic, olive oil and salt – toppings will vary.
Bruschetta is a traditional appetizer that features small slices of toasted bread, topped with a mixture of diced tomatoes and basil. Caprese, on the other hand, is more of a salad. It’s generally layered with fresh sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves.
What to Do with Leftovers
- Cut up and mix into a salad!
- Slice and press between bread for a panini or add it to these picnic sandwiches.
- Add as a topping for a homemade pizza.
More Appetizers
Mozzarella Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 1 Baguette Sliced for Toasts, or use store bought bruschetta toasts
- 16 ounces Tomatoes Cherry tomatoes or roma, diced small
- 8 ounces Mozzarella Mozzarella pearls or slices
- ¼ cup Basil Fresh, sliced into ribbons
- 3 tablespoons Garlic Fresh Minced
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Pepper
Instructions
- Dice tomatoes. Drain excess juice, if possible, and transfer tomatoes to a medium bowl.
- Slice the basil into narrow ribbons, adding to the bowl with tomatoes.
- Add minced garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper into the tomato and basil mixture, marinating for up to 30 minutes. Add Mozzarella pearls into the tomato mixture, or simply add a pearl to each crostini.
- Serve toasts or crostini piled with tomato mixture and mozzarella, with an extra drizzle of balsamic over the top.
- Preheat oven to broil.
- Slice a baguette into thin slices at an angle.
- Line crostini on a baking sheet.
- Using a pastry brush, coat with olive oil.
- Optional: add a fresh crack of sea salt, black pepper or herbs.
- Broil 1 – 1 1/2 minutes, until just toasted and crunchy.
Julie’s Tips
- Drain any juice from your fresh cut tomatoes if possible. This keeps the crostini more crisp and helps concentrate the flavors.
- Cut the tomatoes fairly small, no matter which type you use. This allows the tomatoes to release their juice and mix with the salt and other flavors.
- To meet the needs of guests with lower carb dietary restrictions, serve with crunchy dipping vegetables like celery sticks, sliced peppers and carrots instead of crostini.
Storage Notes
Leave at room temperature while serving. Place in fridge after 2 hours. Fresh mozzarella will last five days in the fridge after opening. Store in airtight container.Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
I can’t rate it because I am having difficulty printing it. I do not need or want a new printing driver. Opting out is making it much more difficult to print in the usual way. Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I’m sorry that’s happening! Are you on a computer or printing from your phone?
If you’d like, send us an email at info@julieblanner.com and we can help you troubleshoot.
Have a wonderful week,
Julie