Description
Panzanella Salad is a refreshing Italian dish that captures the essence of summer with its crisp bread, juicy tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. This easy recipe is perfect for a healthy meal or a quick dinner, making every bite satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day old works best)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, chopped
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh mozzarella pearls (or chopped mozzarella)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, torn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for toasting bread)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and place bread cubes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp on the outside but soft inside. Allow to cool slightly after removing from the oven.
- While the bread is toasting, half the cherry tomatoes, chop the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and tear the fresh basil. If using large mozzarella, cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mozzarella, and basil.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is coated. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread's texture.
- Allow the salad to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving, letting the bread absorb the dressing and flavors while maintaining some texture.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a drizzle of olive oil if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Day-old bread works best for this recipe as it holds up better when mixed with the dressing.
Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or olives for extra flavor.
This salad is best served soon after tossing to keep the bread from becoming too soggy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg