Name: Tomato Basil Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups bread flour; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast; ½ tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp olive oil; ¾ cup warm water; 3 tbsp tomato paste; ¼ cup basil leaves (minced); 3 tbsp sun dried tomatoes (drained and finely chopped)

This tomato basil bread is one of the best homemade breads I’ve ever made. It’s absolutely amazing with some warm butter or a slice of your favorite cheese.

What We Love About This Tomato Basil Bread

Unique flavor: The combination of these two flavors creates a savory and slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with soups, salads, or just about any meal.
Homemade bread in just 1 hour: This recipe takes about 1 hour to prepare and bake, which is absolutely fantastic if you don’t want to spend too much time on one recipe. Other homemade recipes can take several hours or even days to make.
So fluffy: This bread has a light and fluffy texture that holds up well when sliced, toasted, or used as sandwich bread.

Tomato Basil Bread Ingredients

Bread Flour – Bread flour forms the base of the bread and creates the necessary structure due to its higher protein content compared to all-purpose flour.
Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan cheese adds a savory, nutty, and umami flavor profile to the bread.
Instant Yeast – Instant yeast is the leavening agent that helps the bread to rise more.
Flavoring – To add flavor and seasoning, garlic powder and salt are added to the dough.
Liquid Component – Olive oil and warm water serve as the liquid components of the bread to add moisture and help activate the yeast.
Tomato Paste – Tomato paste adds a beautiful golden color to the bread and also adds the subtle sweet tomato flavor.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Along with the tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy note that helps intensity the tomato flavor.

How to Make Tomato Basil Bread

Combine the flour, Parmesan cheese, yeast, garlic powder and salt in a bowl. Stir to combine.
Combine the wet ingredients. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the water, olive oil, and tomato paste.
Combine the wet and dry mixtures in a stand mixer bowl. Add the basil and chopped sun dried tomatoes.
Beat for about 8 minutes. Use low speed to ensure the dough stays soft and springy.
Prepare the bowl by greasing it with olive oil. Transfer the dough.
Let the dough rise. Cover it with plastic wrap for about 1 hour until the dough doubles in size.
Preheat the oven and baking sheet. Do this before transferring the dough.
Sprinkle some flour on a clean surface then transfer the dough. Stretch it into a rectangular shape.
Roll up the dough. Pinch the seam closed.
Lightly butter a loaf pan. Transfer the dough.
Cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size.
Preheat the oven. Turn it down slightly before putting the loaf in. P
Bake until golden. It should take about 30 to 35 minutes.
Remove from the oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool then serve.

Storing and Reheating Instructions:

To store: Tomato basil bread is best when consumed within a few days for optimal freshness and flavor. Avoid refrigerating tomato basil bread, as the cold temperature can make the bread go stale more quickly.
To reheat: If the bread is not already wrapped, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil before heating the bread in a preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps to retain moisture and prevent the crust from becoming too crispy during reheating.

Recipe Variations

Fold in some chopped black olives for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Mix roasted garlic into the dough for a subtle garlic flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.
Sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the crust of the bread to give it more texture.
Arrange thin slices of fresh tomatoes on top of the bread before baking for a burst of juicy flavor.
Add whole basil leaves on the surface of the bread to give it some rustic flair.