Bruschetta with Mozzarella
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Bruschetta with mozzarella is an easy Italian appetizer. It features crostini topped with melted cheese and a rich marinated mix of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and seasoning. Make these tasty bruschetta caprese in 15 minutes. It’s ideal for summer parties, Thanksgiving and all year round.
These Italian tapas are ideal for summer parties and the holiday season. They pair well with wine, and are the perfect addition to an antipasto platter or a charcuterie board featuring a variety of cured meats.
I enjoy serving bruschetta with mozzarella alongside olive tapenade, pesto hummus, angel deviled eggs, and buffalo chicken wontons.
If desired, prep this easy recipe a few hours in advance to give the tomatoes an opportunity to marinate well. Assemble the tomato mixture (without the basil) and cover the bowl. Let it sit at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours.
When it’s serving time, grill the baguette slices. Arrange mozzarella over the crostini. Melt it under the broiler. Toss the marinated tomatoes with basil. Add a spoon to the bowl. Let your guests assemble the bruschetta caprese.
🛒 Ingredients
Bruschetta with mozzarella is comprised of just a few ingredients, so make sure that everything you use is the best quality. Splurge on good olive oil and balsamic vinegar as you’ll be tasting these flavors throughout.
- Ripe Tomatoes: For the best flavor and presentation, select multi-colored cherry or grape tomatoes, or an heirloom variety. Make sure they’re firm with a vibrant color. If desired, remove the seeds.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a pop of green color and a fresh earthy flavor.
- Garlic Clove: Adds a deep rustic flavor to the tomato mixture.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Select a robust full-flavored olive oil. The type used for salads and marinades. We brush it over the slices of baguette to help them become lightly crisp and golden brown under the broiler. It’s also a primary ingredient in the tomato marinade.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds sweetness and acidity to the tomato marinade, enhancing and balancing the other flavors. Be sure to use a high-quality balsamic for this recipe. It makes a difference.
- Baguette: I like using a rustic baguette. But feel free to use an artisan sourdough bread, or a crusty Italian bread.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: This popular cheese pairs well with tomato and basil. Slice the large ball of cheese as thin as you can (about 1/8 inch) so it will melt well and quickly under the broiler.
- Kosher Salt: This tasty seasoning enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Use as much or as little as you’d like.
- Freshly-ground Black Pepper: A seasoning with a complex flavor profile. It adds heat, rustic earthiness, and a delicious peppery aroma.
- Flaky Sea Salt: Because it’s thin, crunchy and textured, it’s the ideal garnish for bruschetta with mozzarella.
📖 Recipe Steps
RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven broiler to high. For easy clean-up, line a large baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- STEP 1: In a large bowl, gently combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- STEP 2: Arrange the slices of baguette on the prepared tray. Brush the tops with olive oil. Broil for about 3 minutes, or until the slices are golden blonde and crisp on the edges.
- STEP 3: Flip the pieces over and brush the other side with olive oil. Add a piece of mozzarella cheese to the top of each crostini. Broil for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is warm and melted. Remove from oven.
🔖 RECIPE TIP: If you really love garlic, lightly toast the bread on both sides without olive oil. Peel and smash a garlic clove. Rub it over both sides of the crostini. Then brush the bread with olive oil. It’s garlicky and delicious.
- STEP 4: Spoon marinated tomatoes over the top of each piece of cheesy crostini. Add a pinch or two of flaky sea salt to the top of the bruschetta with mozzarella. Serve and enjoy immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQ
These are the most commonly-asked questions for making the BEST bruschetta with mozzarella, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.
The American pronunciation of this Italian appetizer is “broo-skeh-tuh.”
Roll up the basil leaves. With a sharp knife, thinly slice them crosswise.
To the tomato mixture, add short thin slices of red onion, grilled kernels of corn, or mushrooms sautéed in butter. For bruschetta caprese with an extra garlicky taste, sauté some garlic cloves in olive oil on stovetop. Brush this garlic-infused oil on the baguette slices before toasting them.
Tomato seeds contain extra water which can make the crostini soggy. Remove the seeds and discard them. Add diced tomatoes to a colander, shower them with salt and let them drain for 1 hour before combining the tomatoes with basil and the marinade ingredients. Wait until just before serving to spoon the tomato mixture over the crostini.
Skip the cheese. Instead, replace it with smashed avocado. Spread avocado over the slices of baguette after they’ve been toasted.
👩🏻🍳 More Quick Easy Appetizers
If you love easy appetizers that are quick to make, you’ll love these crowd-pleasing favorites. View our complete collection in our Appetizers Category.
- Tomato Tart
- Herby Marinated Cheese
- Whipped Feta Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Dip
- BBQ Meatballs
- Everything Bagel Hummus
- Buffalo Chicken Bites
Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor testers rated this the BEST bruschetta with mozzarella! They loved the savory tomato marinade, and the texture and crunch of the cheesy crostini. They were also amazed at how quickly it is to make this recipe.
If you agree this bruschetta caprese is a must-make appetizer for parties, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with a friend. Pin it to Pinterest.
Bruschetta with Mozzarella
- Total Time: 15 Minutes
- Yield: 12 Servings 1x
Description
Bruschetta with cheese is a classic appetizer for summer gatherings and holiday parties. Add them to an antipasto platter, or to a charcuterie board featuring a variety of cured meats.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (seeded & diced) ripe cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes – multicolor preferred
- 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, or to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 12 slices baguette, cut 1/4-inch thick
- 1 8–ounce ball fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
- Flaky sea salt, for garnishing
Instructions
RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven broiler to high. For easy clean-up, line a large baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- In a large bowl, gently combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Arrange the slices of baguette on the prepared tray. Brush the tops with olive oil. Broil for about 3 minutes, or until the slices are golden blonde and crisp on the edges.
- Flip the pieces over. Brush the other side with olive oil. Add a piece of mozzarella cheese to the top of each crostini. Broil for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is warm and melted. Remove the tray from the oven.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons marinated tomatoes over each piece of cheesy crostini. Garnish with a sprinkle of flaky salt. Serve and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Bruschetta recipe variations: To the tomato mixture, add short thin slices of red onion, grilled kernels of corn, or mushrooms sautéed in butter. For bruschetta caprese with an extra garlicky taste, sauté some garlic cloves in olive oil on stovetop. Brush this garlic-infused oil on the baguette slices before toasting them.
How to make this a dairy-free recipe: Skip the cheese. Instead, replace it with smashed avocado. Spread avocado over the slices of baguette after they’ve been toasted.
How to prevent bruschetta from getting soggy: Tomato seeds contain extra water which can make the crostini soggy. Remove the seeds and discard them. Add diced tomatoes to a colander and shower them with salt. Let the tomatoes sit and drain for 1 hour before combining them with basil and marinade ingredients. Wait until just before serving to spoon the tomato mixture over the crostini.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Broiler
- Cuisine: Italian
Bruschetta with Mozzarella 👉🏻 Join the Convo
Do you love making and eating tapas? What do you think of this easy bruschetta caprese recipe? Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
