Ricotta Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes

Published Dec 1, 2023 | Updated Dec 13, 2024 | By Laura

These 7 ingredient, make-ahead, assemble-later Ricotta Crostini with Roasted Tomatoes are the perfect appetizer for your next get-together! Delicious any time of the year, these crostini use cherry tomatoes and balsamic glaze.

A plate of ricotta bruschetta with roasted tomatoes.

At over 8 million views and thousands of positive reviews, these Ricotta Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes have become my most popular holiday recipe to date! Each component can be ahead of time and assembled right before your celebration, making it an go-to option for easy entertaining.

A spin on the fresh flavors of a caprese salad, these ricotta bruschetta are full of amazing textures and flavors. Toasted garlic bread topped with elevated creamy ricotta, garlicky tomatoes and a sweet and tangy glaze, your guest are certain to come back for more!

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I love to serve these alongside my Red Lobster Sausage Balls, as well as my Herb and Onion Dip, and Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa.

"For anyone wanting to make these for holidays in 2023 I made it last year and it was a HUGE hit. They are so good!!!" - TikTok
"I just did this, and it's awesome!! I'm very thankful for your recipe ❤️❤️❤️" - TikTok

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Time Saver Simple Recipe: Make entertaining easier by making each component ahead of time and assembling right before your event.
Boasts Fresh Flavors: Creamy, flavorful ricotta, roasted sweet tomatoes, and minced garlic in every layer makes every bite fresh and delicious!
Incredible Textures: The crispy texture of the toasted bread contrasts beautifully with the juicy and flavorful toppings, creating the perfect bite.
Festive Holiday Feels: Red, green, and white colors in this appetizer brings the merry vibes to any holiday celebration! It's a guaranteed crowd pleaser a favorite appetizer of mine!

Ingredients in Ricotta Bruschetta

Scroll Down to the Recipe Card for the Full Recipe and Ingredient Amounts

Sweet Cherry Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes bring freshness and vibrant color to the toasts. They also contribute to both the sweetness and acidity. Sweet grape tomatoes or chopped tomatoes can be used as well.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps to moisten the ingredients and adds a rich, fruity, and slightly peppery flavor. It also acts as a binding agent and adds a glossy sheen. Use good olive oil for optimal results!
Fresh Garlic: Imparts a savory and aromatic element.
Ricotta Cheese: Creamy ricotta cheese adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It also provides a smooth texture to contrast the crunch of the toast.
Fresh Basil: Infuses a fragrant, aromatic quality to the toasts. The basil complements the sweetness of tomatoes and adds a burst of flavor.
Crusty Bread Loaf: Baguette slices provide a crunchy base that contrasts with the creamy ricotta.
Balsamic Glaze: A sweet and tangy flavor that adds depth and richness to each bite.

Ingredients to make roasted tomato basil ricotta toasts.

Tools You'll Need

How to make Ricotta Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes

In a small baking dish, combine tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bake at 400ºF for 20 minutes or until the tomatoes have slightly burst. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Mixing garlic, tomatoes and olive oil in a baking dish.

In a blender or food processor, combine ricotta, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup fresh basil and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Blend until smooth, then refrigerate until ready to use.

Mixing ricotta in a food processor with basil.

Slice bread in 12 ½-inch slices. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 minced garlic clove. To each bread slice in a single layer on a large baking sheet, brush both sides with garlic olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Bake at 400ºF 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

When ready to serve, spread each cooled bread slice with 1-2 tablespoons of the the ricotta mixture, top with tomatoes (2-3 per toast), sprinkle with fresh basil, and drizzle balsamic glaze on top.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

Best Bread Choices: A rustic Italian bread, French bread, Baguette or ciabatta are great choices. The key is to use a bread with a firm crust that can hold the toppings and cut thick slices.
Ricotta Substitutions: If you're not a fan of ricotta cheese, there are a couple substitution options. Keep in mind that the flavor and consistency will be altered. You could use whipped cream cheese, goat cheese, mascarpone, blended cottage cheese, plant-based ricotta alternatives, or feta cheese.
Other Garnish Options: Besides balsamic glaze and basil, you could garnish whipped ricotta crostini with toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, other fresh herbs, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Homemade Balsamic Glaze

Store-bought ready-made balsamic, balsamic fig glaze, or balsamic raspberry glaze all work great! Making balsamic glaze from scratch is a simple process that involves reducing balsamic vinegar to a thicker, syrupy consistency. Here's a basic recipe:

Combine 1 cup balsamic vinegar + 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar (optional, for sweetness) in a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low to simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced by half or reaches your desired thickness. This process usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

To test the consistency, dip a spoon into the mixture and let it cool for a moment. The glaze should coat the back of the spoon. Keep in mind that the glaze will thicken slightly as it cools.

Storage and Freezing

For Make-ahead: Prep the toasts in advance as well as roast the tomatoes and mix the ricotta. Assemble up to an hour before a party. These are also great to bring with you and assemble at an event!

For Refrigerating: Once this hors d'oeuvres has been assembled, it's should be consumed within 2 hours. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, keep in mind that the bread will lose its crispiness over time.

For Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze and thaw this appetizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roasted Tomato Basil Ricotta Toast the same as bruschetta?

There are a lot of similarities between the two. They both have toasted bread, tomatoes, garlic, and tomatoes. The most significant difference is the presence of ricotta cheese as cheese is absent in traditional bruschetta.

Do I have to toast the bread first?

Grilling or toasting the bread is recommended as it gives the roasted tomato basil ricotta toast a slightly crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft. It's also important for keeping the structure while it's being eaten.

Can I make this in advance?

While it's best to assemble it just before serving to prevent the bread from becoming soggy, you can prepare the tomato topping and ricotta mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

Is this serve hot or cold?

Cold or slightly warm can both work. You can make the tomato and ricotta mixtures and refrigerate until ready to assemble. On the other hand, you can assemble them once the toasted bread and roasted tomato mixture has slightly cooled. Ensure they've had time to cool so that it doesn't melt the ricotta mixture.

Can I make this without garlic?

While garlic is a key flavor in this party appetizer, you can omit it if you're not a fan. Alternatively, you can lightly brush the bread with garlic-infused olive oil for a milder flavor.

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