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Easy Tomato Basil Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

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

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/easy-tomato-basil-bread-recipe/