Burrata Bruschetta with Garlic Basil Sauce
Burrata Bruschetta is a delicious, creamy spread of burrata cheese and cherry tomatoes in garlicky olive oil served on crusty bread. The tangy tomato mixture is made with fresh tomatoes and served on classic bruschetta. It is a great appetizer or starter for a special dinner. Or serve it as a snack or a light lunch anytime, this would go hand in hand with our Italian chopped salad or fresh Italian tomato salad!
First, slice tomatoes in half and drizzle on extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F. In the meantime, mix the green sauce by smashing the garlic cloves and basil in olive oil. then, toast the bread while you wait for the tomatoes. The creamy burrata cheese is made from fresh mozzarella and is flavored with all fresh ingredients like fresh basil and garlic.
Top the toasted bread with burrata, garlic basil sauce, and roasted tomatoes. For extra flavor, sprinkle some garlic powder, a pinch of sugar, or a handful of mozzarella on top. Serve with a glass of white wine and a salad for a nice light lunch with tons of flavors in every bite. You could also serve it with other veggies on top like olives, asparagus, chopped carrots, and broccoli florets.
Recipe variations:
- Other bread: Feel free to use a different kind of toasted bread like sourdough or Italian bread. You can even use gluten-free bread for those on a gluten-free diet.
- On salad: Try this delicious Italian dish with arugula or spinach for a different taste.
- No bread: Instead of spreading this on bread, you can mix the burrata with the tomatoes to make a yummy dip. Serve in a bowl to dip veggies, crackers, chips, or fruit.
- Heat it up: If you like spicy food, add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
- Broiler: Crisp up your bread in the broiler instead of the toaster if you like.
- On the grill: You could also cook the bruschetta on the grill for a smoky flavor.
Frequently asked questions
What is burrata?
Burrata is a cheese made with Italian cow’s milk or buffalo milk from mozzarella and cream. The outer part of the cheese is solid while the inside is a creamy stracciatella with clotted cream. The soft and lumpy texture is unique to this type of cheese and is originally made in Apulia (or Puglia), which is in southern Italy.
Where does burrata bruschetta come from?
Although burrata comes from southern Italy, bruschetta dates back to ancient Rome and Tuscany when those who had very little money created this simple dish by grilling leftover stale bread over an open fire. They added fresh herbs and vinegar for extra flavors and sometimes fresh veggies or fruits if they were available.
What is bruschetta?
Bruschetta is an Italian toasted bread that has been drenched in olive oil. It is most often served with tomatoes and garlic but can also be used for dipping into special sauces or dips. It goes great with any kind of Italian sauce and is often served with spaghetti, lasagna, or another pasta dish.
How to store leftovers:
- Store: You can store your leftover bruschetta and burrata in separate airtight containers in the fridge for several days.
- Freeze: To freeze, wrap your bruschetta and burrata separately in plastic or aluminum foil and place them in freezer-safe containers. They will stay fresh for up to three months.
- Thaw: Be sure to thaw your frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight before serving.
More appetizers to try:
Burrata Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 2 thick slices of ciabatta bread toasted or grilled
- 1 burrata about 12 oz in size
- 10 oz grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
- handful of basil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the halved tomatoes to a baking dish, and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Add sauce ingredients to a bowl, or food processor, or use an immersion blender and pulse until smooth.
- Brush the bread slices with a bit of olive oil and toast them under the broiler, careful to not burn.
- Slice the burrata and distribute it evenly between the bread slices.
- Drizzle the basil sauce on top.
- Top with the roasted tomatoes. If you want, drizzle the burrata with balsamic reduction. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Cooking tips:
- If you are making this with balsamic reduction, be sure to prepare it early so it has time to cool before serving.
- Save this recipe post in your browser so you can find it easily.
- This recipe makes up to four servings with two slices of bruschetta.
- The name burrata means buttery, which is what this cheese tastes like.
- Looking for other recipes like this one? We have lots of Italian recipes as well as appetizers and snacks you can try.
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