Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (2024)

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Pesto Bruschetta combines three of my favorite things – juicy tomatoes, rich, creamy pesto and toasty bread. It’s a tasty and unique appetizer that everyone will love!

Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (1)
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Table of Contents

  1. About This Recipe
  2. How to Make Pesto Bruschetta
  3. What is Bruschetta? What is Pesto?
  4. Recipe Notes and Tips
  5. More Italian Inspired recipes to Love
  6. Pesto Bruschetta Recipe

About This Recipe

There was some nut free pesto in my fridge leftover from my creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, one of my family’s favorite meals. I also happened to have some juicy heirloom tomatoes and I was really craving bruschetta.

I whipped up some crostini and got ready make myself a nice little lunch with the tomatoes and it hit me that I had some pesto to use up. It was like a brilliant lightbulb moment as I spread some of the pesto on a small slice of bread and topped it with the tomatoes and a little Parmesan.

It was so tasty – so much was going on at once! The juiciness of the tomatoes, the creaminess of the pesto, the crispiness of the bread and the sharpness of the Parmesan all together in perfect harmony. It was by far the best lunch I’ve ever made.

How to Make Pesto Bruschetta

Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (2)

There are three main components to this recipe that are each made separately.

  1. Tomato topping – combine tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Traditional bruschetta may have onions included but I felt it was too overpowering for the pesto. Balsamic vinegar is a nice touch but also optional. I suggest making this first so the tomatoes can sit and marinate for a bit.
  2. Pesto – Homemade is preferred but you could also buy a jar from the deli or your favorite brand. I usually make this while the crostini is toasting. Fresh pesto has lots of fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. I add sunflower seeds to make it nut free, but you could also use pine nuts or walnuts.
  3. Crostini – This is the bread base. Slice a french baguette into thin pieces and toast in the oven with a little olive oil and salt.

Assembly

To assemble the pesto bruschetta, spread a small amount of the pesto on the bread, then top with the tomato mixture. Add some Parmesan cheese to top it off.

What is Bruschetta? What is Pesto?

Bruschetta is basically toasted bread with a topping, usually a tomato, basil and olive oil mixture. Pesto is a basil and olive oil based sauce, often served as a dip or with pasta. Layering the two together on top of toasted bread is a match made in heaven!

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Serve assembled pesto bruschetta toasts immediately. The pesto will be begin to brown after sitting out for a while.
  • If preparing ahead of time, store separately in airtight containers. Pesto will need to be refrigerated unless it’s an unopened jar, the tomatoes and the crostini can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese shaving or fresh basil.
  • Olive tapenade is a delicious alternative to pesto in this recipe.
Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (3)

More Italian Inspired recipes to Love

  • Creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce
  • Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
  • Creamy Three Cheese Bruschetta
  • Best Italian Spaghetti Salad

Recipe

Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (4)

Pesto Bruschetta

4.67 from 6 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Pesto Bruschetta combines three of my favorite things – juicy tomatoes, rich, creamy pesto and toasty bread for a tasty and unique appetizer.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Print RecipeReview Recipe

Ingredients

Pesto (if not using store bought)

  • 2 cups packed basil leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup olive oil more as needed for texture
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Tomato Topping

  • 1 pound Roma tomatoes about 6-8 seeded and diced
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Crostini

  • 1 French baguette cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Combine ingredients for the bruschetta in a medium size and set it aside while you make the pesto and the crostini. Bruschetta can sit out for up to 1 hour without needed refrigeration.

  • Arrange the bread side by side on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Brush each side with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.

  • Bake for 7-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. You want the crostini to be crispy but not so hard you can’t easily bite into it.

  • While the crostini is cooling, make the pesto. To a food processor or blender add fresh basil, parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds, garlic and lemon juice. Turn to low and drizzle in olive oil to emulsify. Once all the olive oil is added, continue to blend for about a minute or until pesto is smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl at least once to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed in. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.

  • Assembly: Top each piece of crostini with a smear of pesto and a spoonful of the bruschetta. Sprinkle grated parmesan or fresh basil on top if desired.

Notes

  • Serve assembled pesto bruschetta toasts immediately. The pesto will be begin to brown after sitting out for a while.
  • If preparing ahead of time, store separately in airtight containers. Pesto will need to be refrigerated unless it’s an unopened jar, the tomatoes and the crostini can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese shaving or fresh basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 244mgPotassium: 218mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 816IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg

Keyword pesto bruschetto

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Easy Pesto Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe | YellowBlissRoad.com (2024)

FAQs

What makes pesto so good? ›

And it's those herbs—specifically basil—that makes pesto a bright mouthful of summer. Recipes often vary, but basic preparations always center on the previously mentioned basil, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil, with Italian cheeses like parmigiano reggiano and pecorino romano.

Does bruschetta go in the fridge? ›

Once the bread is lightly toasted, rub garlic on each slice and spoon on the tomato mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if desired, and enjoy! Store any excess bruschetta in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

What is a bruschetta on a menu? ›

[“brew-SKET-ah.” In Italian, 'ch' is generally pronounced 'k,' as in Chianti'.] The Neapolitan version of classic Roman garlic bread. Slices of bread brushed with olive oil and toasted dark on the grill, then topped with our fresh bruschetta sauce of diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.

Why is bruschetta good 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.

How do you make pesto taste better? ›

Add a pinch of salt if the basil tastes too bitter or the pesto needs more zing. Add more Parmesan if you'd like a creamier/cheesier pesto. If desired, you can thin out the pesto with more olive oil.

Is pesto good or bad for you? ›

Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat. However, the fat is primarily unsaturated and may have heart health benefits. Pesto is also full of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Top the bruschetta right before serving to prevent it from going soggy. Alternatively, you can serve the bruschetta and topping separately and allow your guests to assemble them. Another step that can help is adding an ingredient to protect the bread from wetter ingredients.

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.

What is the best tomato for bruschetta? ›

The key to making the best bruschetta? It's all in the tomatoes. Because tomatoes are the focus of this simple recipe, it's worth it to use ripe, fresh ones. Juicier tomatoes work, but drier varieties like Roma are really what you're looking for.

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.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 47M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

What's the best way to eat bruschetta? ›

The bread is then served warm either with a topping spooned over or with a topping on the side so each person can build their own bruschetta. Bruschetta is meant to be served as a hand-held finger food, large enough for one or two bites.

Is bruschetta a full meal? ›

It's delicious just like that or, better yet, topped with fresh, flavorful combinations for the ultimate open-faced sandwich. Typically, bruschetta is a snack, first course or an appetizer, but I think of bruschetta more as a meal. I like to top this grilled bread with simple toppings and serve them with a green salad.

What is a fun fact about bruschetta? ›

Some experts think that the word 'bruschetta' may come from the name of an instrument once used in Italy by cattle breeders: the 'brusca'. It was a rough brush, meant to clean up oxen and horses from dead hair. Its shape was very similar to that of a bruschetta.

Why is pesto pasta so yummy? ›

It pulls together a handful of local ingredients into a gloriously green, fresh sauce, with the basil taking centre stage.

Is it OK to eat pesto everyday? ›

You'll want to be mindful of the sodium content. Some jars have more than 500mg per serving and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend you eat no more than 2,300mg per day. It would be hard to stay within those guidelines if you get more than 20% of your sodium from pesto.

Why is pesto so expensive? ›

Italian pine nuts are considered the finest in the world and are therefore eye-wateringly expensive. To make cost savings, many big producers source their pine nuts from China. Not a big issue, you might think, but these pine nuts are notorious for leaving a metallic aftertaste for some people, and that can last weeks.

Why is pesto only good for a few days? ›

Many of the ingredients in traditional basil pesto have a high percentage of growing bacteria due to their low acidity levels. This means that certain food-grade preservatives are likely added to many of the store-bought brands to ensure the sauce does not spoil while sitting on the shelf.

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