Peasant Bread Soup

Warm, rustic, and bursting with comforting flavors, Peasant Bread Soup is a traditional Italian-inspired dish that transforms humble ingredients into a hearty, soul-soothing meal. This recipe features cubes of stale sourdough or rustic bread that soak up a flavorful broth made with slow-simmered vegetables like onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and ripe tomatoes, creating a thick and satisfying texture. Enhanced with aromatic thyme, a touch of bay leaf, and optional garnishes of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this soup is the epitome of sustainable cooking and cozy dining. Perfect for chilly evenings or as a thrifty yet indulgent weeknight meal, Peasant Bread Soup is a one-pot wonder ready in just an hour and packed with the essence of home-cooked comfort.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 200 grams stale bread (preferably sourdough or rustic bread)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 medium celery stalks
• 2 medium carrots
• 3 large ripe tomatoes
• 1 liter vegetable or chicken stock
• 500 milliliters water
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 30 grams Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the bread by tearing it into small, bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 3

Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Add them to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 4

Dice the celery and carrots. Add them to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Chop the tomatoes into small chunks. Add them to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to break down.

Step 6

Pour in the stock and water. Stir in the thyme sprigs, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Add the torn bread pieces to the pot. Stir well to ensure the bread is evenly soaked in the liquid. Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving.

Step 11

Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2668.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1294.6

Total Fat 57.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 18mg	0%
Sodium 7504.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.0g	0%
Total Sugars 32.8g
Protein 42.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 623.5mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 2616.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.3%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 47.8%