Genuine Italian Bruschetta
Crusty bread topped with a vibrant mix of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of garlic and olive oil. This Italian-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 27 minutes, pairs day-old bread, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day-old bread
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice bread into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Toast for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 4 chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mash with a fork until chunky but cohesive.
- Step 3: Spread bruschetta mixture generously onto bread slices. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and serve immediately.
