Burrata Bruschetta with Tomatoes

This simple burrata bruschetta is made with thin slices of toasted sourdough bread topped with burrata cheese, fresh tomatoes, chopped basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Serve as an appetizer, snack or a quick and healthy lunch!

Create a hearty meal by pairing this bruschetta recipe with my delicious and creamy tomato soup or this linguine alla bolognese!

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll love this burrata bruschetta because it’s simple, uses fresh ingredients and is so satisfying! I really enjoy making this recipe on weekdays because it requires little prepping and clean up.

It also makes a great snack or appetizer, in fact it buys me some time when I’m hosting! It’s always a favorite at gatherings. I like to brush the bruschetta with roasted garlic for an additional layer of flavor, but you can always skip the garlic if you’re pressed on time.

Commonly asked questions

Ingredients:

• Loaf of bread – sourdough baguette, French baguette or ciabatta are all good choices.
• Fresh, quality tomatoes – Campari, Roma and vine-ripe tomatoes are my favorites.
• Fresh garlic – rather than separate the cloves, leave the whole head in tact and roast it. The toast is brushed with the softened cloves for flavor.
• Burrata cheese – usually sold in a 7 or 8 ounce container that contains 1 large ball or 2 smaller balls. Either is fine.
• Fresh basil – leafy basil with deep green leaves is best!
• Balsamic vinegar – for the tomatoes and basil, lends a sweet and acidic taste to this dish.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – for brushing the bread, roasting the garlic and dressing the tomatoes.
• Kosher salt and black pepper are used to taste.

Substitutions

• For a softer version of bruschetta, replace the baguette with focaccia or flat bread.
• Use fresh mozzarella or ricotta instead of burrata.
• Dairy-free/vegan substitutions: omit the cheese or use a plant-based version of burrata or mozzarella made from cashew milk. You should be able to buy either kind at your local organic or health-food market.
• Balsamic glaze is sweeter and thicker than balsamic vinegar. Reduce or omit the vinegar when tossing the tomatoes and drizzle the balsamic glaze over the bruschetta right before serving.

How to make bruschetta

Step 1: Roast the garlic

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Keep each bulb of garlic in tact, and cut the top ¼-inch off the head to expose the flesh. Place both heads of garlic on a sheet of foil and drizzle each with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Wrap the garlic up and roast for 20-25 minutes on a baking sheet. The flesh of the garlic should be soft and turn amber in color.

Step 2: Toast the bruschetta

Cut the bread according to how thick you want the slices. Arrange the slices on a large baking sheet, brush each of them with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper.

Toast the bread for 10-15 minutes at 400°F. For softer bruschetta, toast the bread for 10 minutes. For crispier bruschetta, toast for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the tomatoes

Rinse, dry and dice the tomatoes. Chop the tomatoes using a sharp or serrated knife and place them in a bowl that’s large enough to toss them in.

Rinse your basil and pat it with paper towels until it’s very dry. Roll the basil leaves tight and slice them thinly.

Add the basil to the bowl of tomatoes. Dress the tomatoes and basil with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Mix gently and season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Assembling and serving the burrata bruschetta

Place 1 clove of garlic on each slice of toast and spread using a butter knife or spreader.

Using paper towels, pat each ball of burrata dry and place on a plate. Use a knife to split the ball of burrata in half. Gently deflate each half to release the creamy center. Use a butter knife or spreader to spread a layer of burrata over each piece of bruschetta.

Top each piece of bruschetta with 1 teaspoon of tomatoes. Drain off some of the liquid before placing the tomatoes on top of the cheese, so the liquid doesn’t run off. Arrange the bruschetta on a platter or cutting board and serve!

Storing leftovers

Once it’s cut, burrata should be eaten immediately. If you have an extra ball of burrata that’s still in tact, place it back in the brine that came in its packaging and store in the refrigerator up to its expiration date.

Leftover diced tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Store any toasted bread slices in an air-tight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.Un-toasted bread should be wrapped tightly in plastic and stored according to what it says on the package.

Variations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to bruschetta. Feel free to play around with some of these combinations:

• Top the bruschetta with tapenade, which is a spread made from olives, capers, olive oil, herbs and spices. It has a bold and salty taste.
• For a sweet and savory version of bruschetta, top it with ricotta, fresh figs or fig spread and a drizzle of honey.
• Try using jarred, roasted tomatoes or roasted red peppers if you don’t have fresh tomatoes on hand.
• Peach, prosciutto and ricotta cheese is another delicious combination. Drizzle it with a balsamic glaze for added tanginess and sweetness!
• For a summer twist, add some fresh, sliced strawberries to your tomato bruschetta!
• For the ultimate savory bruschetta, top with wild mushrooms and goat cheese!

Try these other Italian-inspired recipes

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with Sweet-Bread Croutons

Easy Garlic Knots Recipe – with Garlic Butter and Basil

Linguine Bolognese (Linguine alla Bolognese)

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FOOD SAFETY TIPS

Here are some everyday food safety tips:

• Don’t leave chopped tomatoes or cheese sitting out for long periods of time.
• Refer to the blog post or recipe card for instructions on how to properly store leftovers.
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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