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Easy Tomato-Basil Bread

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A soft and savory yeast bread made with tomato-basil spaghetti sauce and a hint of Parmesan — slightly sweet, fragrant, and perfect for slicing, toasting, or sandwich making.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups tomato-basil flavored spaghetti sauce (warmed to 120–130°F)
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 to 4 cups bread flour (start with 3 cups, add more as needed)
  • 1 (0.25 oz / 7 g) package (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast

Instructions

  1. Warm the tomato-basil sauce to about 120–130°F (49–54°C).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of bread flour, active dry yeast, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Stir in the warm sauce until a shaggy dough forms, then gradually add more flour as needed until the dough pulls away from the bowl but remains slightly tacky.
  4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding flour only if the dough is excessively sticky.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 to 1½ hours).
  6. Punch down the dough, then shape it into a 14×7-inch rectangle. Roll it up tightly from the short side, pinch the seam and ends, and place seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  7. Cover and let rise again until the loaf holds a gentle indentation when pressed (30–60 minutes).
  8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  9. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Internal temperature should be around 190°F (88°C).
  10. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or slice warm if preferred.

Notes

  • Use high-quality tomato-basil sauce for the best flavor.
  • Resist the urge to add too much flour — slightly tacky dough leads to a softer crumb.
  • Try brushing the top with butter after baking for a shinier crust.
  • Freezes well once fully cooled — slice before freezing for easy toast access.
  • Pairs beautifully with grilled cheese, turkey sandwiches, or a fried egg.

Nutrition

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