Easy Panzanella Salad
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
A rustic Italian salad made with crunchy bread, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, all bound together by a flavorful homemade vinaigrette.
Stale bread, the upgrade. Crouton chunks soak up tomato juices and vinaigrette in this Tuscan bread salad — the ideal stage for ripe, seasonal tomatoes.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 6 oz (approx. 170g) crusty bread (about 1/2 loaf)
- 🫗 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 🫗 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 🫗 2 lbs (900g) ripe tomatoes
- 🫗 4 oz (115g) fresh mozzarella
- 🫗 1/2 medium red onion
- 🫗 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 🫗 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 🫗 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 🫗 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 🫗 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 🫗 1/8 tsp black pepper
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
**Prepare bread:** Cut bread into cubes, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and salt, then toast in the oven until crispy.
**Prepare vegetables:** Cut tomatoes and mozzarella into pieces, and thinly slice the red onion.
**Dressing:** In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.
**Assemble:** In a large bowl, mix toasted bread, tomatoes, mozzarella, onion and basil.
**Serve:** Pour dressing over the salad just before serving so the bread retains some of its crunch.
🎥 Video Tutorial
Easy Panzanella Salad
Video credit: embedded from YouTube. All rights belong to the original creator, who allows sharing on other websites.
💡 Chef Tips
The secret to a good Panzanella lies in the bread: use a rustic bread with a thick crust for better texture.
Let the salad rest for about 15 to 20 minutes after adding the dressing to allow the bread to absorb the tomato juices without becoming completely soggy.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →