Best 8 Italian Panzanella Recipes

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In the realm of Italian gastronomy, panzanella reigns supreme as a vibrant and refreshing summer salad. Originating from the sun-drenched region of Tuscany, this culinary masterpiece epitomizes the essence of rustic Italian cooking, where simple, fresh ingredients coalesce to create a symphony of flavors. Panzanella is a testament to the Italian reverence for seasonal produce, showcasing the bounty of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet onions, and fragrant basil. This delectable salad is elevated by the addition of crusty bread, which soaks up the delectable juices, adding a delightful textural contrast. Drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette, panzanella bursts with a symphony of flavors, offering a delightful interplay of sweet, sour, and savory notes. In this culinary exploration, we will embark on a journey to discover the authentic flavors of panzanella, presenting three enticing recipes that capture the essence of this Tuscan gem: a classic Panzanella, a hearty Panzanella with Grilled Chicken, and a refreshing Vegan Panzanella.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

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 (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

ITALIAN PANZANELLA BREAD SALAD



Italian Panzanella Bread Salad image

Italy's famous bread salad is usually associated with Tuscany, but my husband's father emigrated from Sicily, so I made up this version of bread salad using the flavors of Sicilian cuisine.

Provided by josephinecooks

Categories     Salad

Time 1h32m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 ounces country style white bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tablespoons garlic flavored olive oil
½ teaspoon coarse salt
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups red or yellow teardrop tomatoes, halved
⅓ cup chopped green bell pepper
⅓ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 small red onion, cut into 3/4 inch slices
10 kalamata olives, pitted and halved
⅓ cup basil pesto
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
1 head green or red leaf lettuce
¼ cup toasted pine nuts

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Toss the bread cubes with the olive oil to evenly coat. Sprinkle with salt, and toss again. Spread the cubed bread evenly over a baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • Toss together the garbanzo beans, tomatoes, peppers, onion, and kalamata olives in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pesto, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, and pepper. Toss the tomatoes with the pesto mixture, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • To serve, toss the toasted bread cubes and goat cheese with the tomato mixture. Line a serving platter with a few lettuce leaves. Shred the remaining lettuce, and mound in the center of the platter. Spoon the bread mixture over the lettuce, and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.8 calories, Carbohydrate 24.5 g, Cholesterol 11.6 mg, Fat 15 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 8.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 451.9 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

GRILLED PANZANELLA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND CHICKEN



Grilled Panzanella with Italian Sausage and Chicken image

This is a summertime favorite of my family. The grilled bread, vegetables, and meats add that smoky char while the dressing adds the tang and sweetness. Serving over arugula gives the salad that peppery finish we all love. By not mixing the arugula into the dressing, you can save any leftovers and just warm slightly and then serve over the arugula.

Provided by MontanaChef

Categories     Salad

Time 1h10m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 23

¾ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup balsamic vinegar
5 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons capers, drained
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons agave nectar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup olive oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided, or to taste
1 tablespoon salt-free Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and ground black pepper to taste
4 roma tomatoes
3 red bell peppers
1 large red onion, thickly sliced
1 large crusty French baguette
1 pound sweet Italian chicken sausage
1 (8 ounce) package mozzarella cheese
4 cups arugula
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Combine red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, capers, oregano, agave nectar, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in an electric blender to make the dressing. Blend, gradually pouring in olive oil, until well combined. Set aside.
  • Toss chicken breasts with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in bowl.
  • Toss tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion slices with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Slice baguette lengthwise into quarters to get 4 long 'sticks.' Place sticks on a sheet pan and coat with remaining tablespoon olive oil.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
  • Place chicken and sausage on the preheated grill and cook, flipping occasionally until meats are no longer pink in the centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Add vegetable mixture and bread sticks to the grill and cook until moderately charred throughout, about 5 minutes. Transfer cooked items onto a sheet pan for easy transport. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove stems and seeds from the grilled bell peppers. Dice peppers, onion, tomatoes, baguette, sausage, chicken, and mozzarella cheese into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. Toss in a large bowl with dressing. Serve over arugula and top with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 701.3 calories, Carbohydrate 45.9 g, Cholesterol 61.8 mg, Fat 45.8 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 1170.4 mg, Sugar 11 g

PANZANELLA (ITALIAN BREAD SALAD)



Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad) image

While this is quick to put together, it does require about 1-1/2 hours to marinate (which is not included in the prep time). It goes great with soup (like Pasta e Fagioli).

Provided by JackieOhNo

Categories     Breads

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

6 slices Italian bread (1-inch thick)
1 cucumber, pared, thinly sliced
2 bell peppers, combination yellow and red, seeded, cut into thin slices
1/8 cup snipped fresh chives
1 medium red onion, thinly slivered (about 1 cup)
12 oil-cured black olives
1/4-1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 ripe large plum tomatoes, cut into large dice
3 tablespoons capers, drained
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
olive oil, and
red wine vinegar (for serving)

Steps:

  • Heat broiler. Arrange bread on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Toast 4-6 inches from heat, turning once, until light golden. Tear into large pieces and drop into mixing bowl. Place half the bread in large salad bowl. Scatter half the cucumbers, peppers, and chives, then half the onions and olives over bread.
  • Combine 1/4 cup oil, both vinegars, tomaotes, capers, garlic, salt, and pepper and spoon half over salad. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Stir once or twice but do not combine thoroughly. If bread seems dry, add oil. Refrigerate covered 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.
  • About 20 minutes before serving, let panzanella warm to room temperature. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish salad with basil and serve with cruets of oil and vinegar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270.9, Fat 16.4, SaturatedFat 2.4, Sodium 1054.5, Carbohydrate 27.9, Fiber 4, Sugar 6.6, Protein 4.8

ITALIAN PANZANELLA



Italian Panzanella image

Big cubes of bread in this traditional Italian salad soak up the zesty dressing; white beans and provolone pump up the protein for a well-balanced vegetarian meal.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 2h15m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 cans (15.5 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups large cubes country bread (5 to 6 ounces)
1 pound plum tomatoes, cut into small pieces
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise
1/4 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
4 ounces provolone cheese in one piece, diced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper.
  • Add beans, bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and cheese. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, and up to 8 hours. Just before serving, stir in basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 g, Fat 23 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 18 g

PANZANELLA (ITALIAN BREAD SALAD)



Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad) image

Categories     Leafy Green     Tomato     Salad     Salad Dressing     Side

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 and 1/2 cups Rustic Bread (not baguette - too hard), cubed into bite-size pieces (she uses take and bake bread from grocery or large french bread)
3 tablespoons Fustini's Varietal Olive Oil (she likes Arbequina and Hojiblanca)
1/4 teaspoon Salt and Pepper (1/4 tsp each)
1 l Large Heirloom tomato
1/2 cup Cherry or grape tomatoes
1 bunch Fresh mozzarella balls, quartered
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
5 ounces Fresh baby arugula, spinach, or spring mix, chopped to bite-size
4 tablespoons Basil, chopped
1/4 cup Sliced red onion
2-1/2 tablespoons Fustini's Herbs of Naples balsamic vinegar (2 to 2-1/2 T)
5 tablespoons Fustini's olive oil (arbequina)
1 pinch salt and pepper (pinch of each)
1/2 teaspoon Italian herbs

Steps:

  • Whisk dressing ingredients together and set aside (herbs of naples balsamic, arbequina oil, s&p, italian herbs).
  • In a non-stick pan, heat the varietal olive oil, basil, and salt and pepper. Add bread cubes and toss until crisp . Want toasted crisp on outside, soft inside. (Can also do on a sheet pan and toast in the oven.) Let cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add tomatoes and season with kosher salt. add the cooled bread cubes, arugula, basil and onion.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly and serve (note: just need a small amount of dressing until it just coats).

ITALIAN PANZANELLA



Italian Panzanella image

Big cubes of bread in this traditional Italian salad soak up the zesty dressing; white beans and provolone pump up the protein for a well-balanced vegetarian meal. From MarthaStewart.com

Provided by hlkljgk

Categories     European

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups country bread, large cubes (5 to 6 ounces)
1 lb plum tomato, cut into small pieces
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise
1/4 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
4 ounces provolone cheese, in one piece, diced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaf, torn

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper.
  • Add beans, bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and cheese. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, and up to 8 hours. Just before serving, stir in basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 559.6, Fat 22.1, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 19.6, Sodium 269.3, Carbohydrate 63.7, Fiber 15.8, Sugar 5.5, Protein 30.2

Tips:

  • Use the best quality ingredients you can find. Fresh, ripe tomatoes and flavorful bread are essential for a great panzanella.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread. Stale bread is traditional, but you can also use fresh bread, grilled bread, or even croutons.
  • If you don't have any stale bread, you can make your own by toasting fresh bread in a low oven until it's dry and crispy.
  • Be sure to soak the bread in water or broth before adding it to the salad. This will help to soften the bread and prevent it from becoming too dry.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your panzanella. Some good options include cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini.
  • Don't forget the herbs! Basil, oregano, and thyme are all classic Italian herbs that pair well with panzanella.
  • Use a good quality olive oil. This is the key to a flavorful dressing.
  • Season the salad to taste with salt, pepper, and vinegar.
  • Serve the panzanella immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

Panzanella is a delicious and refreshing salad that's perfect for summer. It's easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. So next time you're looking for a light and healthy meal, give panzanella a try!

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