Easy Tomato Basil Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Tomato Basil Bread combines the rich flavors of tomato-basil spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese into a soft, aromatic loaf. Perfect for sandwiches or as a savory snack, it’s a delightful twist on classic homemade bread that’s simple to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 cups tomato-basil flavored spaghetti sauce
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 to 4 cups bread flour
• 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Active Dry Yeast

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the tomato-basil spaghetti sauce to 120-130°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of bread flour, yeast, and grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Step 2: Stir the warm spaghetti sauce into the flour mixture, adding additional flour gradually until a soft dough forms that pulls together.
3. Step 3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: Punch down the dough and roll or pat it into a 14×7-inch rectangle. Starting at the shorter side, roll the dough tightly into a loaf. Pinch and taper the edges to seal.
6. Step 6: Place the loaf into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again until an indentation remains after gently pressing the surface.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
8. Step 8: Remove the bread from the pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, sprinkle some dried basil or oregano into the dough before kneading.
• You can substitute part of the bread flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
• If you prefer a crustier bread, bake the loaf on a baking stone and place a shallow pan of water in the oven to create steam.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm slices in a toaster or oven.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular yeast instead of Red Star Active Dry Yeast?

Yes, any active dry yeast will work as long as you use the equivalent amount (about 2 1/4 teaspoons). Just ensure the yeast is fresh for proper rising.

What if I don’t have tomato-basil spaghetti sauce?

You can substitute with plain tomato sauce and add fresh or dried basil separately to maintain the intended flavor of the bread.

Easy Tomato Basil Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 50 reviews

This Easy Tomato Basil Bread combines the rich flavors of tomato-basil spaghetti sauce with the comforting texture of homemade bread. Perfect as a savory side or a flavorful base for sandwiches, this bread recipe is simple to make and yields a soft, aromatic loaf with a golden crust.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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For the Bread Dough

• 2 cups tomato-basil flavored spaghetti sauce
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 to 4 cups bread flour
• 1 (0.25 oz) package (7 g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Active Dry Yeast

Instructions

1. Warm sauce: Warm the tomato-basil spaghetti sauce to 120-130°F (49-54°C) to activate the yeast without killing it.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of bread flour, the active dry yeast, and grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Combine dough: Stir the warm spaghetti sauce into the flour mixture, adding additional flour a little at a time until a soft dough forms that comes together but remains slightly tacky.
4. Knead dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours.
6. Punch down and shape: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Roll or pat it into a 14×7-inch rectangle. Starting at the shorter side, roll the dough tightly into a loaf, pinching edges and tapering ends to seal the loaf.
7. Second rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let it rise until an indentation remains after gently pressing the top, about 30-45 minutes.
8. Preheat oven: Set the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
9. Bake: Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the bread reaches 190°F (88°C) and the crust is golden brown.
10. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing and enjoying.

Notes

• Using a kitchen thermometer to warm the sauce and check bread doneness ensures perfect results.
• Adjust flour quantities as needed since humidity can affect dough consistency.
• Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing prevents it from becoming gummy.
• Optional: brush the top with olive oil or melted butter after baking for extra flavor and shine.

Keywords: Tomato basil bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, savory bread, Italian bread