Tomato Bacon Squares Recipe – An Easy Appetizer, Side Dish or Main Dish

Tomato Bacon Squares are the perfect appetizer or snack to share with family and friends. This dish is made on a base of French bread dough, topped with a blend of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, bacon, and cheeses.

It is an easy to make party appetizer, side dish, or even a light meal. For a party, they can be served warm or at room temperature so everyone can enjoy them whenever they arrive.

If serving them as a main dish pair the squares with a side salad or a bowl of soup. Then you will have a complete meal that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Ingredients For Tomato Bacon Squares

French Bread Dough: The dough forms a pizza-style crust that supports the toppings well. Although you can make your own dough, a tube of refrigerator French Bread dough makes this recipe come together quick and easy.

Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, and Garlic: These three ingredients combine to create a spread for the crust that adds creaminess, a mild tang, and a little bit of warmth.

Tomatoes: Fresh, chopped tomatoes are used in this recipe, which bring moisture and a bit of acidity to balance the richness of the other ingredients.

Bell Pepper: Diced bell pepper adds a mild crunch and a bit of sweetness. Any color bell pepper can work, but green or red are usually the most common for this type of recipe.

Onion: Onion provides a subtle sharpness, adding depth to the flavor. Chopped onions blend well with the bell pepper, forming the base of the topping.

Bacon: The crispy, crumbled bacon pieces add a savory, smoky flavor that compliments the tomatoes and cheese well.

Dried Basil: This herb is an easy way to add some earthy flavor to the mix without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Monterey Jack and Parmesan Cheeses: Monterey Jack is a good melting cheese that adds a creamy texture, while Parmesan provides a touch of sharpness and enhances the flavor with its saltiness.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Making Tomato Bacon Squares

Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. This temperature is ideal for baking the French bread dough, giving it enough time to rise slightly while baking the toppings evenly.

Prepare the Baking Sheet
Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. This will help prevent the crust from sticking, making it easier to remove the squares once they’re baked. If you have a seasoned baking stone there is no need to spray it with the non-stick cooking spray.

Chop the Vegetables
Use a food processor or sharp knife to coarsely chop the bell pepper and onion. Coarse chopping means there will be some texture left in the vegetables, which adds to the dish’s appeal. After chopping, place the pepper and onion in a medium bowl.

Mix the Vegetable and Bacon Topping
Add the chopped tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and dried basil to the bowl with the peppers and onions. Toss everything together to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed. This will be the main topping for the squares, so set it aside once it’s mixed.

Putting The Tomato Basil Squares Recipe Together

Prepare the Dough
Unroll the French bread dough and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Press it out to form a pizza-style crust, making sure to pinch the edges to create a small border. This border will help contain the toppings as they bake.

Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Mix until the ingredients are uniform in color. This mixture serves as a creamy and tangy layer for the crust, bringing out the flavors of the toppings. Spread this sauce evenly over the surface of the dough.

Assemble the Toppings
Sprinkle the vegetable and bacon mixture over the dough. Be sure to distribute it evenly so each square has a good balance of ingredients. Once the toppings are on the dough, sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses on top. The cheeses will melt and help hold the toppings together while baking.

Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and then bake for about 30 minutes. Bake the tomato bacon squares until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese melts and just beginning to turn golden in spots. This will ensure that the dough is fully cooked and the toppings are warmed through.

Cool and Serve
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. This will make slicing easier and allow the cheese to set slightly.

Then cut the dough into 24 squares. These can be served warm or at room temperature, making them easy to prepare ahead of time if needed.

Storing and Reheating

If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The squares will stay fresh for about 2-3 days.

To reheat, place the squares on a baking sheet and warm them in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This will help maintain the crispy texture of the crust.

Reheating in a microwave is also an option, but the crust will soften slightly.

Recipe Adjustments and Variations

1. Different Cheeses
   If Monterey Jack isn’t available, other good melting cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar make a good substitute for tomato bacon squares. These will melt well and offer a similar texture, though they may slightly alter the flavor.
2. Add Extra Vegetables
   For more variety, consider adding sliced mushrooms, chopped spinach, or even small pieces of zucchini. However, be sure to chop your extra vegetables finely to ensure even cooking.
3. Spice It Up
   For a bit more flavor, add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of Italian seasoning to the vegetable mix. This can add a touch of heat or additional herbs without overpowering the other ingredients.
4. Alternative Doughs
   While French bread dough works well, pizza dough or crescent roll dough make for a good base as well. However be sure to pre-bake the crescent roll dough so that it can support the toppings. Both will have a slightly different texture but can be prepared in the same way, making this recipe adaptable based on what’s available.

Tomato Bacon Squares Recipe

* Complete recipe instructions including specific measurements, cook temperatures and times are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to read the entire article for helpful tips and tricks when making this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes seeded and chopped
• 6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled bacon
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (11 ounce) package refrigerated French bread dough
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.

Coarsely chop pepper and onion with food processor or a sharp knife. Then add the diced pepper and onion in a medium size bowl.

Add the chopped tomatoes, crumbled bacon and dried basil to the bowl and then toss to combine. Set aside.

Unroll bread dough and then form a pizza crust on your baking sheet. Pinch the edges to form a small crust on each side. Set aside.

In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and minced garlic and mix until well incorporated. Spread the mixture on top of the dough.

Sprinkle with vegetable mixture over top of the dough and then sprinkle the shredded cheese and Parmesan cheese on top.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is light golden brown and the cheese melts and starts to turn golden in spots.

Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Then slice the tomato bacon squares into 24 pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.

For another great party appetizer make this Cheesy Tomato Dip. It also is a crowd favorite!

ENJOY!

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