Tuscan Tomato Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro) (2024)

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Pappa al Pomodoro – a rustic authentic Tuscan Tomato Soup made with bread; wholesome, hearty, warming and filling.

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Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup

Traditionally made with the last of summer’s San Marzano tomatoes, lots of day old bread, garlic and herbs. No beans allowed here, make a minestrone or ribollita instead if that’s what you are after.

I did a bruschetta spin on this classic and chose to grill some crusty Italian bread instead of stale bread. I’m pretty sure this is the only way to make Tuscan tomato soup from this day on.

You start by creating a flavor base of sauteed onions, garlic, spicy red chile pepper in a light drizzle of olive oil. Add a little touch of fresh rosemary but go easy with this herb as it can be very strong and pungent, so make sure to taste as you go.

The Tomatoes

Tomatoes play a huge roll in Tuscan soups and cuisine, so I’m insisting on San Marzano tomatoes that you can quickly blanch and peel and add to your soup. But, since you probably don’t have any growing in the backyard either, we’ll need to use the canned variety.

Not to worry as this makes your life easier as they are already blanched and peeled and ready to go. Use about 10 of those tomatoes and your soup will be amazing. Do NOT use the sauce they come canned in. A Tuscan soup has a thinner consistency that will be thickened up with the addition of the stale bread or in our case bruschetta.

I like to make my own vegetable stock for this and pretty much just do a nice fridge clean up. Simmer together carrots, onion, garlic a bunch of thyme, a couple of bay leaves, some peppercorns, half a bell pepper, whatever needs using up. Really delicious of course but you can use any store bough veggie stock you like.

The Bread for Tuscan Tomato Soup

While my soup is simmering away and making the shack smell like a small Tuscan town on a chilly day, I start on the bruschetta. You know how we love our bruschetta around here.

So I grill thick slice of Italian bread and rub it with garlic on both sides before lightly brushing it with olive oil. Hit it with some sea salt and wait for your soup to be ready.

When ready to eat just use the best kitchen utensils of all times (your hands), and tear the bruschetta into rustic pieces and add them to the pot of soup. Cover with a lid and let it sit for about 10 minutes for the bread to soak up the broth, thicken it up and the flavors to mingle together.

More Italian Soups

  • Roasted Tomato Soup
  • San Marzano Tomato Soup
  • Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup
  • Italian Vegetable Soup with Farro
  • White Bean Soup
  • Zuppa Toscana
  • Italian Red Lentil Soup
  • Escarole Soup.

how to make Pappa Al Pomodoro

Tuscan Tomato Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro) (5)

4.80 from 5 votes

Tuscan Tomato Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro)

Pappa al Pomodoro - a rustic Tuscan tomato bread soup made with day old bread, tomatoes and herbs.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:35 minutes mins

Total Time:45 minutes mins

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium size heavy bottom pot add a good lug of olive oil.

  • Add the onions and red pepper flakes and sauté together for about 5 minutes until translucent. At this point stir in the rosemary and garlic and give it a good stir.

    1 small onion, 5 cloves garlic, 1.5 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp Rosemary

  • Crush the tomatoes with your hands and add them to the pot (Reserve the sauce from the can for another recipe, do not use here). Pour in the vegetable stock and bring your tomato soup to a gentle simmer. Cook on low flame for 25 minutes.

    8-10 San Marzano tomatoes, 1.5 quarts vegetable stock

  • Adjust seasonings to taste with sea salt and set aside.

The Bread

  • While the soup is simmering, cut the bread in 1 inch slices and grill it on both sides on a cast iron grill pan until nice charred grill marks form.

    1 loaf crusty bread

  • Use a large garlic clove and rub both sides of the bread. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

    1 clove garlic, 1 pinch Sea salt

  • Using your hands tear the bruschetta into rustic pieces and add them to the tomato soup. Cover with a lid and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.

  • Ladle the soup into bowls and serve garnished with the fresh parsley and extra red pepper flakes.

    1/3 cup Italian parsley

Notes

  • Bread - Traditionally the soup is made with day old bread but it's so much more delicious with garlic bruschetta.
  • If you don't have any bread you could add some pasta or gnocchi instead.
  • Add some clams in the last few minutes of cooking to turn this into a Zuppa di Pesce or Cioppino.

Nutrition

Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1962mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1425IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 4.5mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: tomato soup, Tuscan soup

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 451kcal

Author: Florentina

Tuscan Tomato Soup Recipe (Pappa al Pomodoro) (2024)

FAQs

What is the original Italian tomato soup? ›

Pappa al Pomodoro is this soup's official name. (Bless the Italians, they make everything sound so much fun.) It's a rustic soup made with tomatoes, garlic, onions, stock, and of course, bread—preferably a good Italian loaf. Even though it's a tomato soup, you don't have to wait until August or September to enjoy it!

How do you thicken up tomato soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Should I strain my tomato soup? ›

11. You have the option of straining the puree through a strainer for an even smoother soup, but this step isn't necessary.

What is the most famous soup in Italy? ›

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup known worldwide as one of the best Italian soups. It's got a flavorful broth and a variety of slow-cooked vegetables like potatoes, peas, and carrots. Adding Italian sausage gives it a kick of flavor and a shot of protein, so it's a complete meal all by itself.

What is the national soup of Italy? ›

Minestrone Soup - National Soup of Italy

Minestrone Soup - This is a traditional soup from Italy make with a combination of seasonal vegetables and pasta. It makes a complete meal with a slice of bread.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

Why does my tomato soup have no flavor? ›

Always check seasonings and taste-test before serving. If the soup tastes bland at all, a bit more salt will do the trick, that doesn't just apply to this tomato soup recipe but just about anything you'll ever find yourself cooking.

How to add depth of flavor to tomato soup? ›

Olive oil and butter – They create the soup's rich base. To make this recipe dairy-free, feel free to use additional olive oil instead of the butter. Carrots, onion, and garlic – These aromatic veggies give the soup savory depth of flavor. Balsamic vinegar – It adds sweetness and tang.

What to put in tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

18 Must-Try Toppings for Your Tomato Soup
  1. Pretzels!
  2. Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® Crackers.
  3. Pumpkin Seeds.
  4. Croutons.
  5. Tortilla Strips.
  6. Cheese.
  7. Avocado.
  8. Sour Cream.

How to perk up tomato soup? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

Should I simmer soup with the lid on or off? ›

Simmering and Boiling

In the event that your goal is to keep moisture in—like when your pot of soup, stew, or sauce is already at the right consistency, but you want to keep cooking the vegetables and melding the flavors—leave the lid on to keep any more liquid from evaporating.

Do they have tomato soup in Italy? ›

So, the term "zuppa di pomodoro" literally translates to tomato soup in English. This classic Italian soup is often made with tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil, and sometimes includes additional ingredients such as broth or cream for added flavor and richness.

What is the famous Italy tomato? ›

San Marzano is both a type of tomato and a region in Italy. The San Marzano tomato is a type of plum tomato, but it's longer and thinner than the typical plum tomato you might see sold fresh in grocery stores or buy canned; it also has a more obvious pointed tip and fewer seeds.

What is the origin of tomato soup? ›

Tomato soup originates from the south of Spain and.

What did Italians use before tomatoes? ›

Italian Food Without Tomatoes

Bread, pasta, olives, and beans were all staples, and Italians also made a variety of different types of polenta. The diet would have varied depending on region, as well: fish featured heavily near the coast, while inland communities would rely more on pork and wild game.

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