Hearty Rustic Italian Tomato and Bread Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Warm summer evenings call for comfort in a bowl with this rustic homemade panzanella soup that blends simple Italian ingredients.

Ripe tomatoes mingle with crusty bread, creating a delightful harmony of textures and flavors.

The recipe celebrates traditional Tuscan cooking with its straightforward approach.

Each spoonful brings memories of sun-drenched Italian countryside kitchens.

Herbs and olive oil dance through the rich broth, transforming basic ingredients into something magical.

Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the entire dish.

Savor this soul-warming soup that connects you directly to the heart of Italian culinary tradition.

Ideas for Serving Tomato Bread Soup

• Rustic Italian Feast Pairing: Serve this hearty soup alongside a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette for a balanced meal that highlights the soup's rich flavors.
• Bread and Wine Companion: Pour a medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the tomato's acidity and the soup's rustic character.
• Garnish Galore: Top each bowl with fresh torn basil leaves, a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the soup's depth and aroma.
• Crusty Bread Side: Offer warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic crostini on the side for dipping and soaking up every delicious drop of the hearty tomato soup.

Bread Soup Meal Prep & Leftover Ideas

• Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain flavor and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Frozen soup remains delicious for up to 2-3 months, providing a convenient meal option.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed soup gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup seems too thick, restoring its original creamy consistency.
• If possible, add bread just before serving to maintain its texture. When storing, keep croutons or bread pieces separate from the liquid soup to prevent sogginess and preserve their delightful crunch.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

What’s Inside Italian Tomato Bread Soup

• Onion: Provides sweet foundation and depth, choose firm bulbs without soft spots.
• Garlic: Adds robust flavor punch, select plump cloves with tight, papery skin.

• Canned Tomatoes: Creates rich soup foundation, San Marzano varieties offer best authentic flavor.
• Broth: Enhances overall liquid consistency, chicken or vegetable work perfectly.

• Bread: Transforms soup texture, day-old rustic Italian bread works best for authentic result.
• Basil: Introduces fresh herbal note, bright green leaves indicate maximum flavor potential.

• Olive Oil: Provides silky finish and rounded flavor, extra virgin delivers most intense taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp salty complexity, freshly grated delivers superior melting quality.

• Salt: Balances and amplifies overall taste, kosher salt recommended for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat, freshly ground offers most vibrant flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Creates subtle spicy undertone, adjust quantity for personal heat preference.

Kitchen Gear for Tomato Bread Soup

• Large pot: Essential for sautéing and simmering the soup base.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Immersion blender (optional): Helps create a smoother soup texture.
• Ladle: Used for serving the soup into bowls.
• Grater: Useful for preparing Parmesan cheese as a topping.

Tomato Bread Soup Instructions

• Awaken Aromatics

Drizzle olive oil into a spacious cooking pot over medium warmth. Dance chopped onions around the pan until they soften and glisten, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle minced garlic and let its fragrance bloom for half a minute.

• Unleash Tomato Goodness

Pour crushed tomatoes into the pot with broth, sprinkling in salt, pepper, and a whisper of red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to bubble gently, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes while flavors intermingle.

• Embrace Bread Magic

Tumble torn bread pieces into the simmering liquid along with fresh basil leaves. Let the soup dance and bubble, transforming as bread dissolves and thickens the broth for another 10-15 minutes.

• Texture Adventure

For silky smoothness, pulse an immersion blender briefly. Prefer a rustic feel? Mash playfully with a wooden spoon to break down bread chunks.

• Create Your Masterpiece

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls. Crown with a golden drizzle of olive oil, scattered basil leaves, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations for a Richer Soup

• If your bread is too fresh, let it sit out for a few hours to slightly dry out, which helps it absorb the soup's flavors more effectively.
• Control the soup's consistency by adjusting the amount of bread – less bread creates a broth-like soup, more bread makes it thick and hearty like a stew.
• Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar umami flavor that keeps the recipe vegan-friendly and adds extra nutritional value.
• Experiment with different chili levels by swapping red pepper flakes with smoked paprika for a deeper, milder heat or add fresh chili for extra kick.
• During summer, use fresh ripe tomatoes instead of canned for a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile that celebrates seasonal produce.

Rustic Italian Tomato and Bread Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Panzanella-inspired Tuscan bread soup mingles rustic charm with bold Mediterranean flavors. Simple ingredients dance together, creating a comforting classic you’ll savor down to the last hearty spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 28 oz can whole peeled or crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups vegetable broth or water
• 3 cups stale crusty bread (Italian or sourdough, crust removed if tough), torn into pieces
• 2 tbsps olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
• ½ tsp salt, more to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Infuse Aromatics: In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium flame. Gently sauté onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for a brief moment.
2. Build Flavor Base: Incorporate crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and a hint of red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, developing depth and complexity for 10-15 minutes.
3. Integrate Bread and Herbs: Fold torn bread pieces and fresh basil into the simmering liquid. Let the bread gradually dissolve, creating a luxurious, velvety texture while intensifying the soup’s rustic character.
4. Refine Texture: For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to lightly pulse the soup, or manually mash with a wooden spoon to achieve a more rustic, chunky profile.
5. Finale and Presentation: Ladle the soup into serving bowls, embellishing with a graceful drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, scattered fresh basil leaves, and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the culinary experience.

Notes

• Select ripe, high-quality canned tomatoes for the most robust flavor, preferably San Marzano varieties for authentic Italian taste.
• Use day-old crusty Italian bread like ciabatta or sourdough; stale bread absorbs flavors better and creates a perfect creamy texture.
• Adjust bread quantity based on desired thickness; less bread for a thinner soup, more for a heartier, more substantial dish.
• Toast red pepper flakes briefly in olive oil before adding other ingredients to release their full aromatic potential and create a more complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg