This Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta is the ideal summer dish. With its creamy goat’s cheese base and vibrant mix of roasted Mediterranean vegetables, it’s perfectly balanced. It’s simple, packed with flavour, and absolutely stunning, perfect as a starter for a casual meal or dinner party appetiser. There’s something wonderfully relaxed yet special about piling delicious toppings onto crisp bread and letting the flavours do all the work!
Table of Contents
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Roasting Vegetables for Maximum Flavour
- Choosing the Right Bread for this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta
- Goat’s Cheese Makes this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta Better
- The Art of Balancing Flavours
- Making this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta Ahead of Time
- Why This Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta Stands Out
- Final Thoughts on this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta
Ingredient Breakdown
- Red sweet pointed peppers: Sweet and vibrant, these peppers bring a depth of flavour and a gorgeous pop of colour.
- Courgette: Tender and mild, courgette adds a touch of summer freshness.
- Aubergine: Earthy and soft when roasted, it soaks up all the flavours and adds a silky texture.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Rich and fruity, it enhances the vegetables and crisps up the ciabatta.
- Balsamic vinegar: Sweet and tangy, balsamic brings out the natural sweetness of the roasted vegetables.
- Dried Italian herbs: A balanced mix of oregano, basil, and thyme, these herbs give a Mediterranean flair.
- Garlic: Adds a subtle bite and extra depth to the roasted vegetables.
- Sherry vinegar: This delicate vinegar adds brightness, cutting through the richness of the goat’s cheese.
- Fresh basil: Fragrant and refreshing, basil is the ultimate summer herb, tying the dish together with its peppery notes.
- Soft goat’s cheese: Creamy and tangy, goat’s cheese creates the perfect base for the roasted vegetables.
- Ciabatta: Light, airy, and crisp when toasted, ciabatta serves as the ideal canvas for all the delicious toppings.
Roasting Vegetables for Maximum Flavour
Roasting vegetables is the key to unlocking their full potential. The high heat concentrates the natural sugars, resulting in caramelised edges and a slightly smoky depth. For this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta, peppers, courgette, and aubergine are the stars of the show. They complement each other beautifully — the peppers add sweetness, the courgette lends a delicate freshness, and the aubergine brings a rich, almost meaty quality.
One important tip when roasting is to give the vegetables space. Crowding the tray can cause them to steam rather than roast, which will result in softer, less caramelised vegetables. Spread them out evenly in a single layer, and don’t forget to toss halfway through to ensure even browning. A dash of balsamic vinegar and Italian herbs ties everything together with a nod to classic Mediterranean flavours.
Choosing the Right Bread for this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta
When it comes to bruschetta, the bread is just as important as the topping. Ciabatta is the ideal choice here because of its light, airy crumb and sturdy crust. When toasted, it gets beautifully crisp on the outside but stays soft enough to absorb the goat’s cheese and roasted vegetable juices without becoming soggy.
Slice the ciabatta into thick slices — about 1 to 1½ cm — so it holds up under the weight of the toppings. A light brush of olive oil on both sides helps it toast to perfection. This gives you that ideal combination of crunch and flavour. Be sure to keep an eye on the bread as it grills. It can go from golden to burnt VERY quickly under a high heat.
Goat’s Cheese Makes this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta Better
The goat’s cheese in this recipe isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a key element that brings creaminess and tang to balance the rich roasted vegetables. Soft and spreadable, it creates a luxurious layer that acts as a perfect foil for the deep, roasted flavours. Goat’s cheese is also more robust than creamier alternatives like ricotta, which allows it to stand up against the boldness of the vegetables.
If you want to add a bit more complexity to the dish, you could mix in a drizzle of honey. You could also add sprinkle of fresh thyme into the goat’s cheese before spreading it on the bread. But as it stands, it’s an excellent pairing for the smoky aubergine, sweet peppers, and fresh courgette.
The Art of Balancing Flavours
One of the things that make bruschetta so appealing is how it manages to balance simplicity with a surprising depth of flavour. In this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta recipe, the contrast between the creamy goat’s cheese, the sweet-tangy roasted vegetables, and the sharpness of sherry vinegar creates a symphony of tastes.
A final toss of the roasted vegetables with minced garlic, fresh basil, and a splash of sherry vinegar lifts the dish to a whole new level. The garlic, softened by the residual heat, adds just enough bite without overpowering the vegetables, while the basil provides a refreshing contrast. The sherry vinegar, with its subtle acidity, cuts through the richness of the goat’s cheese, brightening the entire dish.
If you find that the roasted vegetables need a bit more punch, feel free to adjust the seasoning. A little more vinegar or a dash of extra olive oil can help balance everything out. The key here is to taste as you go and adjust to your personal preference.
Making this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta Ahead of Time
Bruschetta is one of those dishes that can easily be prepped in advance, making it perfect for entertaining. You can roast the vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the bruschetta. Just be sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving — cold vegetables will dull the flavours. You can also pre-toast the ciabatta, but it’s best to do this close to serving time to ensure the bread remains crispy.
When it’s time to serve, spread the goat’s cheese on each slice, pile on the roasted vegetables, and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt or an extra drizzle of olive oil. It’s an easy, no-fuss dish that’s guaranteed to impress.
Why This Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta Stands Out
What makes this roasted vegetable bruschetta SO good is its balance of flavours and textures. The creamy goat’s cheese, charred and tender vegetables, and crisp ciabatta create a mouthful that’s satisfying but light enough to keep you coming back for more.
It’s also a versatile dish. While this recipe highlights summer’s best produce, you can easily switch up the vegetables based on what’s in season. Try it with roasted butternut squash and mushrooms in autumn or swap in fresh tomatoes and courgettes for a more classic bruschetta topping.
For something so simple to make, the result feels elevated and special, making it perfect for any occasion — whether you’re dining al fresco or looking for an elegant starter.
Final Thoughts on this Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta
This Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta is the perfect summer starter, bursting with Mediterranean flavours and requiring minimal effort. It’s a dish that celebrates fresh, seasonal produce and transforms it into something truly special. Whether you’re serving it to friends or making a batch just for yourself, it’s the kind of recipe that makes you appreciate the beauty of simplicity done right.
You can watch me make this delightful bruschetta here. I hope you enjoy it at your next summer gathering — it’s bound to be a hit! And if you happen to have stumbled onto this recipe in autumn, why not try my Butternut Squash and Goat’s Cheese Crostini instead?
Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta
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with goat’s cheese
Toasted ciabatta, slathered with soft goat’s cheese and topped with roasted peppers, aubergine and courgette. Nothing screams summer quite like bruschetta! Perfect for summer entertaining, this tasty starter is fresh, easy to make and full of flavour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the roasted vegetables:
- 2 red sweet pointed peppers (Romano peppers), sliced
- 1 courgette, diced into 1 cm cubes
- 1 aubergine, diced into 1 cm cubes
- 1 heaped tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsps balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
For the bruschetta:
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp sherry vinegar, or more, to taste
- 1 small handful fresh basil leaves, finely sliced
- 150 g soft goat’s cheese
- 1 large ciabatta loaf
Instructions
- Heat oven to 230℃ /fan 210℃. Line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper.
- Place the peppers, courgette and aubergine in a large bowl. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and dried Italian herbs. Season with sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper and toss to combine.
- Arrange the vegetables in a single layer on the baking tray. Roast, tossing once halfway through, until cooked and slightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mince the garlic and add it to a large bowl. Add the roasted vegetables and stir gently to combine; the residual heat will take the raw edge off the garlic.
- Add the sherry vinegar and fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding vinegar or oil to balance the flavours to your taste. Set aside.
- Heat your oven grill to high. Slice ciabatta loaf into 1 to 1½ cm-thick slices. Lightly brush with extra-virgin olive oil on both sides and place on a baking tray. Toast until golden and slightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes, turning halfway through. Keep an eye on them; they’ll go from fine to burnt very quickly!
- Let cool for 5 minutes. Spread a heaped teaspoon of goat’s cheese over each toast and top with a heaped tablespoonful of the roasted vegetables. Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
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