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Looking for a perfect small batch recipe that captures the heart of Italian flavors? Try this easy Bruschetta recipe. It combines ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, a touch of garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on a toasted bread slice. Ideal for a light meal, a quick snack, or a tasty appetizer, this recipe is designed for one or two people. It’s a great way to savor classic Italian tastes without any leftovers.
Explore our tempting selection of small batch appetizers, including crunchy Buffalo Cauliflower, flavor-packed Loaded Deviled Eggs, spicy Jalapeño Poppers, and smooth Baba Ganoush.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Flavorful: Combines ripe tomatoes and aromatic basil for a taste of Italy.
- Quick and Easy: Simple to prepare, perfect for a speedy meal or snack.
- Light and Healthy: Made with wholesome, fresh ingredients.
- Versatile Appetizer: Great for any occasion, from casual to elegant.
- Perfectly Portioned Bruschetta: Makes 1 or 2 servings (using 3-4 slices of bread).
Easy Bruschetta Recipe: Fresh Flavors In Minutes
What Is Bruschetta? Bruschetta (pronounced broo-SKET-ta) is a beloved Italian appetizer known for its simplicity and fresh flavors. Traditionally, bruschetta features toasted bread piled high with a vibrant combination of chopped tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. This is the version we’ll be making today – a quick and easy recipe that captures the essence of bruschetta in minutes. While bruschetta can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings, the classic tomato mixture is a crowd-pleaser for a reason!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy bruschetta recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Tomatoes: The star of bruschetta is undoubtedly the tomato. Choose the freshest ones you can find. This recipe calls for one Roma tomato, yielding about 1/2 cup or 3 ounces when chopped. However, you’re welcome to use any variety of fresh tomato. If you’ve got a few extra tomatoes, use them to make Caprese Pasta, add them to a Breakfast Sandwich, or use them in Ratatouille.
- Basil: Use 2-3 large fresh basil leaves to infuse a fragrant herbal note. Use extra basil in Lasagna Soup and Tuscan Chicken.
- Parmesan cheese: Enhance the flavor with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, using about 1 tablespoon.
- Garlic: A fresh garlic clove is recommended for its pungent, authentic flavor. Garlic powder is not advised as a substitute.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its rich, unrefined flavor and nutritional benefits. It’s the highest quality available, but light olive oil can be used if necessary. Use 1/2 tablespoon for the mixture and a bit more for brushing the bread.
- Balsamic vinegar: A mere 1/4 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar can add a delightful zest to the dish.
- Salt and black pepper: Season with 1/8 teaspoon of both salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
- Bread: A crusty French baguette is ideal, but sourdough, ciabatta, or Italian bread are also excellent options for creating the perfect bruschetta base.
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy Melt: Top with mozzarella and broil briefly for a gooey, melted finish.
- Mediterranean Mix: Add chopped olives or capers for a tangy, Mediterranean flair.
- Avocado Boost: Layer thinly sliced avocado under the tomato mixture for a creamy addition.
- Spicy Spark: Sprinkle chili flakes for a bit of heat.
- Prosciutto Topping: Drape with thin slices of prosciutto for a savory twist.
How To Make Bruschetta
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of bruschetta. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Tip: If you have a grill available, try this method for added flavor. Rub a garlic clove on both sides of each slice of French bread, then drizzle each side with olive oil and toast on the grill. However, for ease, this recipe uses the oven to toast the bread.
- Arrange an oven rack in the upper third of the oven, about 5-6 inches below the broiling element and heat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Chop the tomato and place in a small bowl.
- Mix in the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Thinly slice the basil and stir it into the mixture.
- Use a bread knife to slice the baguette into 4 (1/2-inch) slices. Brush one side of each slice with olive oil (a pastry brush helps with this) and place the olive oil side down on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet into the oven and toast for 5-6 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
- Arrange the toasted bread on a plate, olive oil side facing up and top with the tomato mixture. When toasted, the olive oil helps to create a barrier keeping the bread from getting soggy from the chopped tomatoes.
Expert Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: For optimal flavor, always use the freshest ingredients available.
- Leftover Ideas: Repurpose any leftover topping by spooning it over Chicken Caprese, Baked Shrimp, or Beef Tenderloin.
- Toasting Alternatives: If you prefer, toast the bread slices dry until they’re lightly browned on both sides. After toasting, rub a halved garlic clove over one side of each slice, then lightly brush with olive oil.
How To Serve Bruschetta
- As a Starter: Enjoy bruschetta as an appetizer at dinner parties for a classic beginning.
- With Soup: Pair with a bowl of vegetable soup or tomato soup for an Italian-inspired meal.
- Salad Sidekick: Serve alongside a fresh Caesar salad for a light, refreshing lunch.
- Wine Pairing: Complement it with a glass of Chianti or Pinot Grigio for an elegant touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can make the “Italian salsa” up to a day in advance and keep it covered and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
Before serving, slice and toast your bread and then add the tomato and basil mixture.
Bruschetta is best enjoyed fresh or within a day of making it. Always toast the bread right before serving it. Leftover toasted bread can become stale and hard to eat.
Absolutely! If you’d like to make extra bruschetta for a small group, just double or triple the ingredients.
To thinly slice basil leaves, stack the leaves on top of each other, roll them into a cigar-like shape, and then use a sharp knife to slice them into thin ribbons.
Pro Tip: Basil bruises easily so be sure to use a sharp knife. If your knife is dull, the basil leaves can bruise and the edges will be crushed instead of sliced. Also, it’s harder to slice basil with a dull knife.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this “bruschetta recipe for one” or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Bruschetta For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- ½ tablespoon olive oil , plus more for brushing on bread
- ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (2-3 large leaves)
- 4 slices crisp artisan bread, like a baguette (I use either a baguette, French bread, Sourdough, or Italian bread)
Instructions
- Arrange an oven rack in the upper third of the oven, about 5-6 inches below the broiling element and heat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Chop the tomato and place in a small bowl.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Stir the basil into the mixture.
- Brush one side of each slice of the bread with olive oil (a pastry brush helps with this) and place the olive oil side down on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet into the oven and toast for 5-6 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
- Arrange the toasted bread on a plate, olive oil side facing up and top with the tomato mixture. When toasted, the olive oil helps to create a barrier keeping the bread from getting soggy from the chopped tomatoes.
Notes
- Fresh Ingredients: For optimal flavor, always use the freshest ingredients available.
- Leftover Ideas: Repurpose any leftover topping by spooning it over Chicken Caprese, Baked Shrimp, or Beef Tenderloin.
- Toasting Alternatives: If you prefer, toast the bread slices dry until they’re lightly browned on both sides. After toasting, rub a halved garlic clove over one side of each slice, then lightly brush with olive oil.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
On point! Thank you so much for posting this delicious recipe!