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Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

July 25, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Italian Panzanella Salad

Italian· Salad Recipes

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Italian Panzanella Salad in a wooden bowl
collage photo of two bowls of panzanella salad
a wooden bowl with italian panzanella salad
collage photo of bread salad

Italian Panzanella Salad made with crusty Italian bread, roasted grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives and Mozzarella cheese in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. 

a bowl of bread salad

If you're in the mood for a delicious and refreshing salad, you can't go wrong with an Italian panzanella salad. This traditional dish combines the vibrant flavors of juicy tomatoes, crispy bread, and aromatic herbs to create a mouthwatering experience.

Whether you're a vegetarian or simply looking for a light and satisfying meal, this Italian panzanella salad is sure to please your taste buds.

Packed with vibrant flavors and a variety of textures, this easy-to-make recipe is sure to impress. Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a side dish for your next meal, give this panzanella salad a try and experience a taste of Italy.

Suggested Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Baking Sheets (2)
  • Salad Bowl

a close up of bread salad in a wooden bowl

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start making your Italian panzanella salad, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. 

For the Salad

Loaf of Italian Bread: You can use fresh or day old bread as you will still need to be cubed and baked to dry out the individual pieces first. 

Grape Tomatoes: Small grape or cherry tomatoes work best in this recipe so they burst open when roasted. 

Pitted Kalamata Olives

Sliced Garlic: Use fresh garlic; then slice it into thin slices once peeled. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fresh Mozzarella: You can use any fresh Mozzarella cheese, but I like using Ciliegene; which are the pearls

Prepared Dressing

For the Dressing

Balsamic Vinegar

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fresh Chopped Basil

Kosher Salt

Black Pepper

panzanella bread salad in a wooden bowl

Roast the Tomatoes

Preheat the oven to broil. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, olives, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Place the tomato mixture on a baking sheet; then broil for approximately 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes burst.

Halfway through cooking, you can tap them with the back of a spoon to help them pop open. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool. 

Prepare the Bread

To prepare the bread for your panzanella salad, start by cutting it into bite-sized cubes. You can use any type of day-old bread, such as ciabatta or baguette.

Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Then, toast the bread in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes crispy and golden brown. Once the bread is ready, set it aside to cool before adding it to the salad.

a wooden bowl filled with bread panzanella salad

Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together until well combined. This dressing will add a tangy and flavorful element to your salad.

Combine the Ingredients

Now that you have prepared all the components of your panzanella salad, it's time to combine them and enjoy the delicious flavors. In a large  salad bowl, add the tomatoes and cubed bread; then gently toss everything together. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Finally, pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss again to ensure everything is well coated. Serve the panzanella salad immediately and savor the taste of Italy in every bite. You can serve this salad warm or cold. 

VISIT THE RECIPE INDEX TO SEARCH FOR MORE RECIPES BY CATEGORY.

Italian Panzanella Salad in a wooden bowl

More Panzanella Salad Recipes

  • Ratatouille Panzanella Salad
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  • Greek Panzanella Salad

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a close up of bread salad in a wooden bowl

Italian Panzanella Salad

Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
Panzanella Salad made with Italian bread, roasted grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives and Mozzarella cheese in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. 
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • 2 Baking Sheets
  • Salad Bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Salad

  • 1 loaf Italian bread (6 cups cubed)
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes (approx. 12 ounces)
  • ½ cup kalamata olives (pitted, halved)
  • 2 cloves garlic (sliced thin(
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces Ciliegine mozzarella cheese
  • Prepared Dressing

For the Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to broil. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, olives, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Place the tomato mixture on a baking sheet; then broil for approximately 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes burst. Halfway through cooking, you can tap them with the back of a spoon to help them pop open. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F; then remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool.
  • Next, cut the bread into bite-sized cubes; then place them on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toast the bread in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes crispy and golden brown. Once the bread is ready, set it aside to cool before adding it to the salad.
  • In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients for the dressing together until well combined.
  • In a large salad bowl, add the tomatoes and cubed bread; then gently toss everything together. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  • Finally, pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss again to ensure everything is well coated. You can serve this salad warm or cold.

Notes

Please read the entire post for additional instructions and/or substitutions. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 10gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 892mgPotassium: 197mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 477IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 151mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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