Classic Pappa al Pomodoro, a rustic Tuscan homemade tomato soup is made by simmering tomatoes, carrots, onions, olive oil, basil and bread until everything merges into a thick and comforting consistency! This Pappa al Pomodoro is a soul-warming comfort food that showcases the rich flavors of the Mediterranean region.

Overhead shot of homemade tomato soup in a bowl.

Why We Love This Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup Recipe

Classic Italian Pappa al Pomodoro is a dish we experienced on our trip to Italy, and I knew that I had to replicate at home! It is absolutely full of flavor and so satisfying to eat.

Pappa al Pomodoro is a peasant dish, designed to fill empty tummies and comfort the soul. It is thick and chunky, with a silky base, created by simmering day-old bread into the soup until it dissolves. Canned tomatoes are simmered with fresh ingredients like carrots, garlic, basil, and rustic Italian bread until all of the ingredients mold together into a rustic homemade tomato soup!

Don’t get me wrong… I love classic American homemade tomato soup, and I love tomato bisque. Yet there is something about this rustic “bread soup” version that captivates and soothes.

Two bowls of chunky Pappa al Pomodoro with bread and spoon lifted.

Ingredients For Italian Soup

This Tuscan bread tomato soup uses minimal ingredients for a fresh and satisfying soup. Since there aren’t that many ingredients here, it is important to use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best chunky tomato soup!

  • Olive Oil
  • Onion – finely chopped
  • Carrots – finely chopped
  • Fresh Basil – or dried
  • San Marzano Tomatoes – whole, peeled tomatoes
  • Bay Leaf
  • Vegetable Broth – or chicken broth if you are not vegetarian
  • Chianti Wine – or other dry, Italian red wine
  • Rustic Italian Bread
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt & Pepper
Ingredients needed for pappa al pomodoro Italian soup.

How to Make Pappa al Pomodoro

Pour olive oil into a large sauce pot and place over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and basil and sauté for 10-12 minutes, stirring regularly.

Hand squishing a whole tomato before putting it in a pot to make tomato soup.

Open the cans of stewed tomatoes. Pour the juices into the pot, then squash each tomato by hand, breaking it into irregular pieces, as you place them into the pot. Add the bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, vegetable broth, wine, and bread.

Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Broth being poured into a large stock pot with ingredients for tomato soup.

Check the Italian tomato soup. If the bread cubes haven’t dissolved to create a thick porridge, use a potato masher to break them up into smaller pieces. Then turn off the heat and stir in 3/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese. Add more salt and pepper to taste!

To serve, scoop the chunky tomato soup into cups or bowls and finish with a little drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and enjoy!

Pot of Pappa al Pomodoro - adding parmesan cheese

Serving Suggestions

Serve your homemade al pomodoro soup all on its own, or with some crusty bread! For a heartier meal, try pairing it with some of my favorites:

Pot of Pappa al Pomodoro with hand holding a serving spoon taking a scoop.

Italian Soup Tips & Tricks

  • Skip the wine if desired! The wine in this recipe adds a depth of flavor that you won’t get otherwise, but if you prefer not to cook with wine then replace it with extra broth.
  • Tuscan rustic tomato soup is meant to be chunky, but if you prefer a smooth tomato soup, use an immersion blender to blend everything together at the end!
  • Use fresh tomatoes during the summertime when tomatoes are super flavorful!
  • Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves for maximum flavor!
  • Don’t skip the bread! I know it sounds weird to add bread right into the soup, but it adds flavor and creates a nice, thick soup!
Tuscan tomato soup in a bowl with parmesan on top and a silver spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use San Marzano tomatoes?

Technically, no. As far as canned tomatoes go, San Marzano tomatoes have the best quality and flavor. They are truly Italian tomatoes, so you can have the most authentic pappa al pomodoro as you can.

Should I peel fresh tomatoes before making tomato soup?

If you opt to use fresh tomatoes in this tomato soup recipe, it is best to blanch and peel them before using them here. The soup might turn out less watery, so add more broth until you get to your desired consistency!

How should I store homemade tomato soup?

Store any leftover homemade tomato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave on in a sauce pot until heated through!

Can I freeze leftover pappa al pomodoro?

Definitely! Let the soup cool and store in freezer-safe bags and stack them on a baking sheet in the freezer until frozen. You can then remove the baking sheet and stack the soup bags in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw slightly before placing it in a saucepan to fully heat through!

Tuscan tomato soup in a bowl overhead shot with parmesan on top and a silver spoon.

Looking for more Italian-inspired recipes? Be sure to also try:

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Pappa al Pomodoro (Italian Soup)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Classic Pappa al Pomodoro, a rustic homemade tomato soup is made by simmering tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil and bread until everything merges into a thick and comforting consistency! This Pappa al Pomodoro is a soul-warming comfort food that showcases the rich flavors of the Mediterranean region.
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pour the olive oil into a large saucepot and place over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and basil and saute for 10-12 minutes, stirring regularly.
  • Open the cans of stewed tomatoes. Pour the juices into the pot, then squash each tomato by hand, breaking into irregular pieces, as you place them into the pot. Add the bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, vegetable broth, wine, and bread. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Check the pappa al pomodoro. If the bread cubes haven’t dissolved creating a thick porridge, use a potato masher to break them up into smaller pieces. Then turn off the heat and stir in 3/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese.
  • To serve, scoop the soup into cups or bowls and finish with a little drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Video

Notes

If you opt to use fresh tomatoes in this tomato soup recipe, it is best to blanch and peel them before using them here. The soup might turn out less watery, so add more broth until you get to your desired consistency!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 450kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 1099mg, Potassium: 745mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 6160IU, Vitamin C: 21.5mg, Calcium: 333mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Sommer Collier
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