Best 6 Easy Italian Bread Salad Recipes

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In the realm of Italian cuisine, a symphony of flavors awaits in the traditional dish known as bread salad. This delectable offering, also referred to as "panzanella," is a testament to the culinary artistry of Italy, where simple ingredients are transformed into a symphony of textures and tastes. Originating from the heart of Tuscany, this rustic salad finds its roots in the humble peasant kitchens, where resourceful cooks sought to create a satisfying meal from day-old bread and whatever fresh produce was available. In this article, we present a collection of bread salad recipes that celebrate the essence of this classic dish while offering variations to suit diverse preferences and dietary needs. From the classic Tuscan bread salad with its medley of fresh vegetables, to a hearty vegan version packed with nutritious grains and legumes, to a gluten-free adaptation that caters to those with dietary restrictions, this culinary journey promises to tantalize taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MID-SUMMER ITALIAN BREAD SALAD



Mid-Summer Italian Bread Salad image

Everything in this salad is fresh, except the bread! Prepare this salad by using a loaf of artisan bread or rosemary bread that is a touch stale. If your bread is too fresh, toast it until it is about half as dried and crunchy as a crouton.

Provided by Tamara

Categories     Salad

Time 10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 clove garlic
1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups chopped fresh basil
⅛ cup chopped fresh thyme
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Steps:

  • Rub a peeled clove of garlic around a wooden salad bowl.
  • Pull apart or chop the bread into bite-size pieces.
  • In the prepared salad bowl, combine the bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, garlic, basil and thyme. Add enough olive oil and vinegar to lightly coat, toss and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.2 calories, Carbohydrate 65.6 g, Fat 17.8 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 11.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 670.7 mg, Sugar 5 g

SIMPLE ITALIAN SALAD



Simple Italian Salad image

Homemade croutons star in this easy Italian salad recipe, filled with grape tomatoes, olives and pepperoncinis. I like to serve it with fresh Italian or focaccia bread. —Nancy Granaman, Burlington, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 slices Italian bread, cubed
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 bunches romaine, torn
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
8 pepperoncini
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°. For croutons, spritz bread cubes with butter-flavored spray; place in a bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder; toss to coat evenly. , Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine romaine, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan cheese, onion and pepperoncini. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 943mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

PANZANELLA



Panzanella image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 small French bread or boule, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large, ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 red onion, cut in 1/2 and thinly sliced
20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons capers, drained
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
1/2 cup good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large saute pan. Add the bread and salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned. Add more oil as needed.
  • For the vinaigrette, whisk all the ingredients together.
  • In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve, or allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend.

ITALIAN BREAD SALAD (PANZANELLA)



Italian Bread Salad (Panzanella) image

Like so many Mediterranean bread salads, stale bread is combined here with red onion and tomato and dressed with vinegar and olive oil. It's like a bread salad version of gazpacho.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h30m

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound stale country bread or baguette, cut in thick slices
1 small red onion, sliced very thin
Cold water
1 pound ripe tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar (more to taste)
1 large garlic clove, minced or crushed in a mortar and pestle
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • If your bread is very hard, douse it with water first and saw it into a few pieces that will fit into a medium bowl. Cover with the onions. Pour on cold water to cover and let sit for 20 minutes. Lift the onions off the bread and rinse in a strainer. Drain the bread, squeeze out excess water and crumble the bread into a salad bowl.
  • Add the tomatoes, basil, and parsley to the bowl. Mix together the vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil, and toss with the bread mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 304, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 419 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

PANZANELLA (ITALIAN BREAD SALAD)



Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad) image

Why throw away the rest of that good, dense loaf you picked up at the bakery the other day? This is what the Italians do with day-old (or older) bread. Simply delicious!!!

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Onions

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, very finely minced
1 cup fresh basil leaf, torn into small pieces
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 -8 slices thick country bread, torn into bite-size pieces (sourdough is good - dense, bakery bread)

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic and basil.
  • Drizzle with the 1/2 cup olive oil and the 3 tblsps vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
  • Place half of the bread in a wide, shallow bowl.
  • Spoon half of the tomato mixture over the bread.
  • Layer the remaining bread on top and then the remaining tomato mixture.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Just before serving, toss the salad and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
  • If the bread seems dry, add a little oil or vinegar.
  • Serve immediately.

ITALIAN BREAD SALAD



Italian Bread Salad image

Think of this as "panzanella verde." There's a lightness here and an herby earthiness that make this the kind of salad you really want on the hottest of summer days.

Provided by Lillian Chou

Categories     Salad     Olive     Side     Bake     Quick & Easy     Basil     Cucumber     Summer     Parsley     Capers     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 cups cubed (3/4-inch) country bread (about 1/2 pound)
1/2 seedless cucumber
1 celery rib, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped scallion
1/2 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
1 tablespoon drained capers, chopped
3/4 cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
3/4 cup packed basil leaves, torn
1/3 cup fine-quality extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300°F with rack in middle.
  • Spread out bread in a 4-sided sheet pan and toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.
  • While bread cools, halve cucumber lengthwise, then core and thinly slice.
  • Toss together bread, cucumber, remaining ingredients, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper and let stand, tossing occasionally, 30 minutes. Season with additional oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crusty bread are essential for a flavorful salad.
  • Don't overdress the salad. A light vinaigrette is all you need to enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
  • Let the salad rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the dressing.
  • Serve the salad immediately. It's best enjoyed fresh.

Conclusion:

Italian bread salad is a refreshing, flavorful salad that's perfect for summer gatherings. With its combination of fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crusty bread, it's a dish that's sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a light and easy salad to serve, give this Italian bread salad a try.

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