Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (2024)

Sides, Snacks ·

When it comes to making new recipes, sometimes I get inspiration from delicious things I’ve tasted at restaurants (see my buffalo mac and cheese recipe for proof). There are times that I do try to make the recipe similar to how the restaurant served it—with proper credit to them, of course. Other times I like to completely mix it up. But last week when I tasted the bruschetta at Lucarelli’s in Venice, Florida, I immediately pulled out my phone and started taking notes. It was so darn good and I just had to make my own bruschetta recipe just like it.

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (1)
Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (2)

Most bruschetta is made the same. It’s a mix of tomatoes, basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Some put onion in it, some don’t (I’m in this camp). You let the mixture sit for a bit to marinate, then you scoop it onto toasted pieces of Italian bread and drizzle it with balsamic vinegar.

What made this particular bruschetta really stand out was the goat cheese. Each toasted piece of bread had goat cheese spread on the top before scooping the bruschetta mixture on it. It may sound a bit strange, but between the combination of the creamy, tangy cheese and the refreshing tomatoes, their bruschetta was absolutely addicting.

So I took the same clever tactic and used it on my bruschetta, and wow, was it delicious. If you’re looking for a bruschetta recipe that will surprise your guests, I promise you, this one is it.

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (3)

How to properly toast the bread

While most recipes on the Internet tell you to broil the slices, I felt kind of skeptical of it. The reason I loved Lucarelli’s bruschetta was because of the bread being perfectly toasted, yet still perfectly chewy on the inside. Baking it seemed like the best option to get the result I want.

I baked the bread in the oven for 5 minutes on each side. Then I brushed olive oil on both sides of the bread to make it moist. The last thing you want to bite into is a hard piece of bread, and toasting the bread in the oven for this bruschetta recipe was the right move.

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (4)

Assembling the bruschetta recipe

Before even prepping the bread, the important thing is to let the tomatoes marinate. This helps the tomatoes, garlic, and basil develop some flavor together before devouring. I found 15 minutes to be perfectly reasonable, but I bet if you let it sit for a bit longer the flavors would be even better.

Once the bread is toasted, you assemble the bruschetta by spreading some goat cheese on the toast first. Scoop the tomato mixture on top of each slice, then drizzle with that balsamic vinegar.

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (5)
Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (6)
Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (7)

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (8)

Print Recipe

Bruschetta

Adding goat cheese to the slices of bread will contrast well with the fresh tomatoes.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: bruschetta, bruschetta recipe, Italian recipe

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 tomatoes on the vine seeded and diced
  • 2 cups mini medley tomatoes quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Italian loaf preferrably with seeds
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 oz. goat cheese
  • 4 tsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

  • When chopping the tomatoes, take out the core and the seeds and compost them.

  • Dice (and quarter) the tomatoes and place them in a large bowl with the minced garlic and chopped fresh basil.

  • Sprinkle in the parmesan cheese and the salt, then mix the bowl. Let the tomato mixture marinate while you prep the bread.

  • Slice the loaf into thick pieces, no smaller than 1/2 inch each.

  • Lay the slices out on a sheet pan. Brush the olive oil on one side, then flip the pieces and brush it on the other.

  • Bake in the oven for 5 minutes. Flip the slices, then bake for another 5 minutes (10 minutes total).

  • Move the slices of bread to a cutting board. When the bread is cool enough to touch (but still warm and toasted), spread the goat cheese on each slice.

  • Scoop the tomato mixture onto the tops of the bread.

  • Using a teaspoon, drizzle the balsamic vinegar on top of each slice. Four teaspoons is a rough estimate—it's what I ended up using.

  • Serve immediately.

Pin this for later!

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (9)

What restaurant dishes have you tried that you would love creating at home? Share in the comments below, or over on my Instagram!

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (10)

Italian Bruschetta Recipe with Goat Cheese | Kiersten Hickman (2024)

FAQs

Why is bruschetta famous in Italy? ›

Bruschetta traces its roots back to ancient Rome, where peasants created a simple dish by grilling leftover bread over an open fire. This practice allowed them to make use of stale bread and add flavor to their meals. The word “bruschetta” comes from the Italian verb “bruscare,” which means “to roast over coals.”

Why is bruschetta so good? ›

The perfect Bruschetta is so much more than just a piece of bread. At its best, bruschetta will have a rough, crisp surface rubbed with fresh garlic while still warm, then drizzled with the finest, fruitiest, freshest extra virgin olive oil and dusted with salt.

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.

Why does my bruschetta taste bitter? ›

Fresh herbs like basil can turn bitter if they are chopped too finely or bruised too much. 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.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Tomato skins and seeds can be bitter, and removing them improves the flavor and texture of your bruschetta topping. Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy.

How do you make Nigella bruschetta? ›

Method. To make the tomato bruschetta: drizzle most of the olive oil over each piece of toast and top with the chopped tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, before drizzling the remaining few drops of oil on top, and you're done.

What is the difference between Italian and American bruschetta? ›

Italian bruschetta often features simple, fresh ingredients like tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. In the United States, variations may include additional ingredients such as cheese, balsamic glaze, or other creative twists.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 47.1M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

What type of tomato is most commonly used for bruschetta? ›

Ingredients You'll Need

Tomatoes – I like to use cherry or grape tomatoes for the bruschetta because they're easier to cut and aren't as watery and fleshy, but feel free to use Roma tomatoes or whatever is ripe in your garden!

Do they eat bruschetta in Italy? ›

A delicious appetizer, a poor dish that is a must in restaurants throughout Italy. The bruschetta was born as a hymn of the Tricolor, the Italian flag, thanks to the colours of the three main elements of it: the green of the basil, the “white” of the bread and the red of the tomatoes.

What is a fun fact about bruschetta? ›

Originally Bruschetta was simply bread toasted over hot coals, then sprinkled with some olive oil and garlic (or salt). It was something you would have while having an Italian BBQ, or when tasting the new oil in the winter. This is how what we call 'Garlic Bread' originated.

Is bruschetta good or bad for you? ›

The primary ingredient in Bruschetta is tomatoes and as you already know tomatoes are extremely good for health. They are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, folate and potassium. Moreover, they are also a rich source of antioxidants such as Chlorogenic Acid that is known to help lower blood pressure.

Is there bruschetta in Italy? ›

Bruschetta originated in Italy during the 15th century. However, the dish can be traced back to Ancient Rome, when olive growers would bring their olives to a local olive press and taste a sample of their freshly pressed oil using a slice of bread.

What are Italian nibbles called? ›

If you walk in an Italian bar around that time you will most definitely see people in groups chatting and laughing, having a drink and some nibbles, which always come free!! These type of snacks are called stuzzichini and they can be a variety of things, sometimes you get so many they could be eaten in place of dinner.

What are Italian appetizers called? ›

The Appetizer Course

They are called antipasti in Italian, where they can be served hot or cold, cooked or raw.

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