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Appetizer Recipes – Crostini with Pesto and Ricotta

There’s something magical about crostini. You start with humble bread, toast it until golden, and suddenly you’ve got a canvas for flavors. In this case, I’m spreading creamy ricotta, adding a spoonful of bright pesto, and finishing with sweet cherry tomatoes. The result? An appetizer that feels both rustic and a little bit fancy, without actually trying too hard. I love making these when friends come over because they’re so easy to assemble but always look like I’ve put in way more effort than I did. It’s the kind of recipe that makes people hover near the platter, pretending they’re not going to eat another, but we all know how that story ends. If you’ve ever looked for crostini recipes or played around with recipes with pesto sauce, this one will win you over. It’s a ricotta recipe that doubles as one of the best healthy ricotta recipes I’ve tried, and it works beautifully if you’re into chicken and tomato recipes, too. Simple, fresh, and perfect for any gathering.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: appetizer recipes, chicken and tomato recipes, crostini recipes, healthy ricotta recipes, recipes with pesto, recipes with pesto sauce, ricotta recipe
Servings: 12 pieces
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 1 baguette, sliced into ½ inch slices
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup pesto sauce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
  3. Toast in the oven for 7–10 minutes until golden and crisp.
  4. Spread a spoonful of ricotta on each crostini.
  5. Add a small dollop of pesto over the ricotta.
  6. Top with halved cherry tomatoes.
  7. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, garnish with basil, and serve immediately.