Bruschetta may be one of the most versatile appetizers out there.
It comes in various forms, from simple tomato and basil to roasted garlic and red peppers—you might even see it stuffed with shrimp or chicken.
But no matter what toppings you choose, there’s one thing that will never change: bruschetta is almost always served with cheese.
And that’s where things can get tricky!
There are so many different cheeses out there, it’s hard to know which one will go best with your bruschetta.
We’ve compiled a list of 15 different cheeses that we think are perfect for your next bruschetta night!
Why Consider Pairing Cheese with Bruschetta?
Bruschetta is a popular appetizer that is usually made with bread, olive oil, and garlic.
Many cheese lovers enjoy pairing bruschetta with different types of cheese to create a unique and delicious dish.
Pairing cheese with bruschetta allows chefs to experiment with different flavors and textures, which can make the dish more enjoyable for everyone in the family.
Besides cheese, other ingredients that can be paired with bruschetta include tomatoes, pesto sauce, and roasted red peppers.
There are endless combinations that can be created when pairing cheese with bruschetta, so it is important to brainstorm some ideas before you serve the dish.
What Cheese Goes Best with Bruschetta?
When it comes to bruschetta, there’s a lot of room for creativity.
You can use whatever you have on hand, and it’ll probably be delicious!
But if you’re looking for something more specific—and maybe just a little more fun—you can try out some different cheeses to see which one works best with your bruschetta.
Here are 15 different cheeses you can use when making bruschetta at home:
1. Fresh Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese that’s perfect for pairing with any kind of bruschetta.
It melts easily and gives off a lovely, creamy texture as well as a slight tang.
We love using fresh mozzarella as an accompaniment to tomato bruschetta because it adds a nice little zing to the tomato’s sweetness without being overpowering—and it has just enough fat content to give you that satisfying mouthfeel you crave after eating something sweet!
2. Gouda
Gouda is another great option for pairing with bruschetta because its creamy texture makes it pair beautifully with all kinds of bruschettas without getting lost in their flavors.
The sharpness from its tangy flavor also helps cut through all those rich flavors while still leaving room for other ingredients like meat or olive oil on top if desired!
3. Provolone
Provolone is one of our favorite cheeses for bruschetta because of its rich flavor and saltiness.
It’s perfect for an appetizer like this because it adds lots of flavor without overpowering the dish itself; this makes it a great complement to other ingredients on the plate like tomatoes or breadcrumbs (if you’re using them).
4. Fontina
Fontina is a mild cheese from Italy made from cow’s milk.
It has a texture that is slightly rubbery, with a mild and slightly sweet flavor.
The best way to eat it is melted on pasta or pizza.
It goes well with bruschetta because the cheese helps cut through the sourness of the tomatoes, while also adding its own unique flavor.
5. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese has a tangy flavor that goes well with most types of bruschetta.
However, if you’re looking for something mellow and subtle, goat cheese may not be right for you.
6. Parmesan
Parmesan cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world.
It’s a hard, granular cheese that comes in two varieties: grated and shaved.
It’s a key ingredient in many Italian dishes, including bruschetta.
Parmesan is best when paired with olive oil, garlic, and basil for bruschetta.
7. Brie
Brie is one of our favorite cheeses because of its soft texture and subtle flavor profile, which makes it great for pairing with other foods like grapes or figs (another favorite pairing).
Brie goes well with bruschetta because the salty flavors from olives and capers compliment the sweetness of brie perfectly!
8. Havarti
Havarti cheese is a springy, mild and slightly sweet cheese with a subtle acidic flavor.
It’s made from cow’s milk, and it’s a great choice for bruschetta because it will melt nicely over the bread without getting too greasy or runny.
The
Havarti will also add a creamy flavor to the bruschetta, which is a nice complement to the crunchy bread.
9. Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is tangy, rich and slightly salty.
It’s made from sheep milk and can be eaten by itself or added as an ingredient in many dishes.
Feta pairs well with bruschetta because it adds a rich flavor that complements the bread without overpowering it.
10. Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is a great choice for bruschetta because it’s sweet, mild, and nutty.
The Swiss cheese has a creamy texture that compliments the crunch of the bread and tomatoes.
It also provides a nice base for other flavors on top of the bread like basil or garlic.
11. Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese that is known for its pungent flavor.
The blue mold that covers it gives it a strong odor and flavor that can be overwhelming if you’re not used to it.
However, when paired with red wine and tomatoes on top of bruschetta, Gorgonzola becomes an addicting treat!
12. Asiago
If you want to add a little spice to your bruschetta, then Asiago cheese will be the perfect choice.
Asiago is reminiscent of Parmesan but is a bit nuttier and creamier.
It also goes well with basil or garlic as well as tomatoes and onions.
13. Cheddar
Cheddar is a sharp, pungent cheese with a strong flavor that goes well with bruschetta because it’s not too intense.
The acidic tomatoes and garlic in the bruschetta will balance out the cheddar’s sharper notes and make for a more balanced flavor experience.
To make your own bruschetta using cheddar cheese:
- Cut up enough tomatoes to cover one side of each slice of bread. Sprinkle some garlic on top of the tomatoes, then drizzle olive oil over them.
- Layer on some sliced onions and sprinkle salt over them to taste.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese, about one tablespoon per slice of bread (or more if you like).
- Place under the broiler until golden brown and bubbly—about three minutes for each side (or less if you have an oven that heats quickly).
14. Manchego
Manchego has sweet, tangy flavors with notes of hay, grass, and fruit.
It’s also great on its own—the cheese has a nice firmness to it that makes it perfect for serving by itself or even on top of your favorite salad.
However, because the cheese has such strong flavors and aromas, it can be overwhelming when paired with bruschetta.
To make your own bruschetta using manchego cheese:
- Start with thick slices of baguette. You can toast them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes (or until they start to brown).
- Then brush them with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet in the oven until they’re golden brown and crispy on both sides (about 5 minutes each side).
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before topping with thin-sliced tomatoes, basil leaves, salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top of your finished bruschetta before serving!
15. Cabrales
Cabrales is an excellent choice for a bruschetta because it has such a strong and unique flavor.
The wild and spicy flavor of Cabrales pairs well with the sweet tomato and basil flavors in the bruschetta.
This combination works especially well if you’re looking for something bold and unexpected—it’s almost like eating dessert!
To make your own bruschetta using cabrales cheese:
- Slice the bread into cubes and toast them in the oven until they’re golden brown.
- Add some chopped cherry tomatoes (or any other kind of tomato) to each piece of toasted bread, then top with a generous amount of cabrales cheese.
- Drizzle everything with olive oil, salt and pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer.
- Serve immediately!
What Cheese Goes Best with Bruschetta? (15 Cheeses)
Ingredients
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Gouda
- Provolone
- Fontina
- Goat Cheese
- Parmesan
- Brie
- Havarti
- Feta Cheese
- Swiss Cheese
- Gorgonzola
- Asiago
- Cheddar
- Manchego
- Cabrales
Instructions
- Pick your favorite cheese option from this list to use on your crunchy bruschetta.
- Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
- Enjoy in no time!