Recipe

Italian Bread Soup

Hearty Tuscan Delight: Italian Bread Soup

4.2 out of 5

Italian Bread Soup, also known as Minestra di pane, is a traditional dish from the heart of Italian cuisine. This comforting soup is made with simple ingredients and is a perfect example of how Italians transform humble bread into a delicious and satisfying meal.

Soup› Bread Soup› Minestra di pane

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Italian cuisine

Preparation time

15 minutes

Cooking time

15 minutes

Total time

30 minutes

Yields

4 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan (if vegetable broth is used), Dairy-free (if omitting Parmesan cheese), Nut-free, Low-fat

Allergens

Wheat (from the bread), Dairy (from the Parmesan cheese, if included)

Not suitable for

Gluten-free (due to the use of bread)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
4 cups (200g) stale bread, torn into small pieces 4 cups (200g) stale bread, torn into small pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 4g
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 3g
Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1.
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
2.
Stir in the dried thyme and oregano, and cook for an additional minute to release their flavors.
3.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a simmer.
4.
Add the torn stale bread to the pot and stir well to combine. Allow the bread to soak in the broth for about 10 minutes, until it becomes soft and tender.
5.
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6.
Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil.
7.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with fresh parsley.
8.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

Stale bread — Using stale bread is essential for achieving the desired texture. If you don't have stale bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread in the oven to dry it out before tearing it into pieces.

Tips & Tricks

For a heartier version, you can add diced vegetables such as carrots, celery, or zucchini to the soup.
If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can blend a portion of the soup before adding the bread.
Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile of the soup.

Serving advice

Italian Bread Soup is best served hot, straight from the pot. It pairs well with a crusty Italian bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

When serving Italian Bread Soup, garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The vibrant green color of the parsley adds a pop of freshness to the dish.