Crispy Italian Bread with Herbed Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

- 1 can (28 oz) whole canned tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh herb (such as oregano, lemon-oregano salt, or basil), chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the canned tomatoes, breaking them up with a wooden spoon.
- Add half of the chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.

3. Prepare the Bread
- Arrange the Italian bread slices on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the bread slices.
- Toast in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

4. Assemble and Bake
- Spoon the herbed tomato sauce generously over each slice of toasted bread.
- If using, sprinkle Parmigiano Reggiano over each slice.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly (if used).

5. Garnish and Serve
- Remove the bread from the oven and sprinkle the remaining fresh herbs over the top.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Total Time

PT45M
45 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Italian Bread, Tomato Sauce, Fresh Herbs, Baking, Lunch Meal, Cheese Optional, Herbed Sauce, Oven-Toasted, Homemade Sauce, Savory Bread

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 800

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