Italian Bread Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro) (2024)

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Italian Bread Soup recipe or Pappa al Pomodoro, a rustic peasant Tuscan soup that is hearty, comforting and filling. A light version of ribollita!

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Italian Bread Soup

I grew up on soup with bread my friends! Not because we were gourmands in any way but because of necessity. It was a way to fill up the belly and avoid waste by not throwing away the stale bread.

So today I have a simple tomato based Tuscan soup recipe for us just to express my excitement for soup season. I could, I actually do live on this stuff still!

Traditionally made with the last of summer’s San Marzano tomatoes and lots of day old bread, this Italian soup can also be made in the middle of winter using canned tomatoes of course. However, you’ve got to make sure you are using legit Italian tomatoes from the San Marzano region and not the wannabes grown in Jersey. No offense, we just need the authentic stuff here!

To take the flavor profile to a whole new level I did a little bruschetta twist on this and opted for grilling some homemade crusty bread instead of using leftover stale bread. I generously rubbed it with garlic on both sides and brushed it with a little olive oil before adding it to my pot of soup. Let it soak in that magical broth for a few minutes before you dig in!

There Are 4 Popular Italian Bread Soup Recipes

  1. Ribollita – A winter stew with cavanelo nero or black kale, vegetables and cannellini beans.
  2. Tuscan vegetable Soup or Acquacotta Maremmana
  3. Zuppa Lombarda (simple beans in broth with bruschetta)
  4. Pappa Al Pomodoro (this recipe listed below).

Whichever version of the soup you choose to make, you will need a hearty crusty loaf of bread like my vegan Italian loaf that will hold up to all the liquid.

Recipe Tips

  • Flavor – Start with a little bit of olive oil (or a splash of water for WFPB) and create a flavor base of sautéed onions, garlic, spicy chili peppers and a little touch of rosemary. Go easy with the rosemary as it can have a very strong flavor, so make sure to taste as you go.
  • Tomatoes – It’s important to remember and ONLY use the tomatoes, not the sauce or puree they come canned in. A Tuscan Tomato Soup has a thinner consistency that will be thickens up with the addition of the stale bread or bruschettanot the tomato puree.
  • The Stock – I like to make my own vegetable stock for this. Pretty much I do a nice fridge clean up and simmer together some carrots, onion, garlic, a bunch of thyme or parsley, peppercorns and a couple of bay leaves. So delicious, but you are free to use a store bought version and even water if you must.
  • About the Bread – while my soup is simmering away making the shack smell like a small Tuscan town on a chilly day, I start on the bruschetta. You know how we love our bruschetta around here, right?! Once ready you will use the best kitchen utensils of all times a.k.a your hands and tear it into small chunks before adding it into the soup. Cover with a tight lid and let sit for a good 10 minutes to soak up the broth and the flavors to mingle together. If you can’t resist it’s understandable so just dive in! Mangia bene!

P.S. If you make this soup please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag us with #VeggieSociety on Instagramit always brightens up my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

Italian Bread Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro) (7)

5 from 2 votes

Italian Bread Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro)

Italian bread soup recipe or Pappa al Pomodoro, a rustic peasant Tuscan tomato soup that is hearty, comforting and filling. A light version of ribollita!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 small yellow onion -diced
  • 28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes (or 8-10 fresh ones)
  • 5 cloves garlic -minced
  • 1 clove garlic -whole
  • 1.5 qt vegetable stock -low sodium
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary -chopped
  • 1 leaf bay
  • 5-6 slices crusty bread (1 inch thick)
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley -roughly chopped
  • sea salt & black pepper to taste
  • extra virgin olive oil for brushing the bruschetta

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium size heavy bottom soup pot add a splash of water, veggie stock or a light drizzle of olive oil.

  • Add the onions and red pepper flakes and sauté together for about 5 minutes until translucent. At this point stir in the rosemary and garlic and give it a good stir.

    1 small yellow onion, 5 cloves garlic, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp fresh rosemary

  • Crush the San Marzano tomatoes with your hands and add them to the pot together with the bay leaf. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring your tomato soup to a gentle simmer. Cook on low flame for 25 minutes.Adjust seasonings to taste with sea salt and set aside.

    28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes, 1.5 qt vegetable stock, sea salt & black pepper to taste, 1 leaf bay

Make the Bruschetta

  • Meanwhile grill the bread on both sides on a cast iron grill pan/griddle until nice charred grill marks form.

    Use a large garlic clove and rub both sides of the bread. Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. (Skip the oil on a WFPB diet)

    1 clove garlic, 5-6 slices crusty bread, extra virgin olive oil for brushing the bruschetta, 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley

  • Using your hands tear the bruschetta into rustic pieces and add them to the soup. Cover with a lid and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, the bread will puff up into instant dumplings as it soaks the broth.Ladle the soup into bowls and serve garnished with the fresh parsley and extra red pepper flakes.

Notes

  • Gluten- Free? -To make the soup gluten free simply swap the Italian crusty loaf for a gluten free bread of your choice!
  • About the Bread - while my soup is simmering away making the shack smell like a small Tuscan town on a chilly day, I start on the bruschetta. You know how we love our bruschetta around here, right?! Once ready you will use the best kitchen utensils of all times a.k.a your hands and tear it into small chunks before adding it into the soup. Cover with a tight lid and let sit for a good 10 minutes to soak up the broth and the flavors to mingle together. If you can't resist it's understandable so just dive in! Mangia bene!

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 2104mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1750IU | Vitamin C: 28.4mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 6mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Bread Soup, tomato soup

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 333kcal

Author: Florentina

Italian Soups

Italian Bread Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro) (2024)

FAQs

What is the main ingredients in gazpacho? ›

So what is the main ingredient in the soup called gazpacho? The quick answer is raw tomatoes — along with uncooked peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and stale bread used as thickener — although the relatively newfangled addition didn't come about until the 19th century, after the discovery of the Americas.

When should I eat gazpacho? ›

With scorching temperatures and a wild bounty of juicy red tomatoes in the fresh food markets, drinking an ice cold gulp of savory gazpacho is one of the best ways to fuel up when it's hot. It's also healthy, full of nutrients, and an incredibly refreshing accompaniment to a meal.

Does gazpacho have dairy? ›

Easy Healthy Gazpacho – NO dairy!

No cooking needed! Tomatoes + cucumber + red bell pepper + garlic + onion + red wine vinegar + salt and pepper. It is the perfect cold soup for any day of the week.

Can you eat gazpacho hot? ›

Serve accompanied by croutons and chopped tomato, cucumber, onion and green pepper. Puree until smooth if desired. Serve either hot or cold.

Is gazpacho really healthy for you? ›

Nutrient-Rich: Gazpacho is typically made with fresh, raw vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions. These ingredients offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a nutrient-rich meal.

What makes gazpacho bitter? ›

the acidity in gazpacho can sometimes give off a bitterness depending on the type of tomatoes used or the time of year. The quick fix? Simply add in a little bit of sugar to neutralize the acid.

Can you eat too much gazpacho? ›

You can never have too much gazpacho. Or, translated for meaning, you can never have too much of a good thing. So, in that spirit, here is a very good gazpacho recipe. Pretty, too.

Is gazpacho good for stomach? ›

Gazpacho, a classic chilled Spanish soup, is the perfect dish for hot summer days. Not only is it refreshingly delicious, but it's also filled with fibre-rich vegetables that can support your gut health.

Does gazpacho lower blood pressure? ›

The team found that in addition to cutting overall blood pressure by up to 27%, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were inversely associated with gazpacho consumption.

Is it necessary to peel tomatoes for gazpacho? ›

Although it's often okay to leave on tomato skins when cooking them, they are too fibrous to slurp in soup form. To remove the skins, mark a small "X" on the bottom, gently lower them into boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. The skins will slip right off, and you can proceed with the gazpacho recipe.

Who eats gazpacho? ›

Gazpacho is widely eaten in Spain and Portugal, particularly during hot summers, since it is refreshing and cool. Although there are other recipes called gazpacho, such as gazpacho manchego, the standard usage implies a soup.

How long does gazpacho last in the fridge? ›

Like most foods, it's good for two or three days, maybe one more, as far as food safety is concerned. But safety aside, gazpacho relies on freshness for the best flavor. If you want to keep it more than two days, you're probably better off freezing it.

How many days is gazpacho good for? ›

Because it lacks the preserving benefits of cooking, the freshness of the ingredients directly impacts its longevity. Typically, homemade gazpacho can last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator if stored properly in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and contamination from other foods.

How many days does gazpacho keep? ›

Gazpacho should stay fresh, refrigerated in an airtight non-reactive container, for 2 to 3 days. We don't recommend freezing this soup, as fresh tomatoes tend not to freeze well.

What do you drink with gazpacho? ›

My usual advice is that soup and wine don't really work together – one liquid and another is a recipe for washing machine stomach – but gazpacho is an exception because of one wine only: sherry. Fino or manzanilla – the two lightest styles of sherry – are your best bets here.

Where is gazpacho made from? ›

Originating from the Andalusia region of southern Spain, gazpacho is traditionally made from a mixture of puréed tomatoes and other ingredients such as cucumber, sweet bell peppers, onions, garlic, and olive oil.

What is traditionally served with gazpacho? ›

Gazpacho may be served alone or with garnishes, such as hard-boiled eggs, chopped ham (in the salmorejo variety from Córdoba), chopped almonds, cumin crushed with mint, orange segments, finely chopped green bell peppers, onion, tomato or cucumber.

What defines gazpacho? ›

noun. gaz·​pa·​cho gə-ˈspä-(ˌ)chō gəz-ˈpä- plural gazpachos. : a spicy soup that is usually made from chopped raw vegetables (such as tomato, onion, pepper, and cucumber) and that is served cold.

Does gazpacho contain bread? ›

The traditional ingredients of Gazpacho are Cucumber,Tomatoe,Red(and /or green) pepper, garlic, onion,bread,olive oil,vinegar, salt and pepper.

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