Rustic Tomato and Bread (Pappa al Pomodoro) Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This Rustic Tomato and Bread Soup Recipe, known as Pappa al Pomodoro, is a traditional Italian dish that combines ripe tomatoes and stale bread into a hearty, flavorful soup. It’s a perfect way to use up leftover bread while enjoying the rich taste of tomatoes and herbs.

The recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients, making it an excellent choice for a comforting meal any day of the week.

Classic Pappa al Pomodoro Soup Recipe

This Pappa al Pomodoro features a blend of fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and day-old bread, creating a thick and satisfying soup. The recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare and serves 4 people.

Ingredients

4 cups ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 2 cans of whole tomatoes)
2 cups stale bread, torn into pieces
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes).
Add Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to break down.
Combine Ingredients: Add the torn bread and broth to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Blend the Soup: For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until desired consistency is reached, or leave it chunky if preferred.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.