Only three simple ingredients—ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and crusty bread—are needed to make Jamie Oliver’s Italian tomato soup (pappa al Pomodoro) from scratch. Classic Italian tomato and basil soup, thickened using bread instead of dairy products like milk or Parmesan.
This rustic, handmade tomato basil soup, made thick and creamy with pureed breadcrumbs, combines fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil. In this simple recipe, you will learn how to cook a traditional Italian dish called Pappa al Pomodoro.
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What Is Pappa Al Pomodoro?
Tomato, in Italian, is Pomodoro. Traditionally, Pappa al Pomodoro is a Tuscan dish. This is a basic tomato soup that has been thickened with bread. This simple Italian peasant dish feeds a large group of people with a very small investment of time and resources. To put it simply, it’s a savory porridge that’s rich and filling.
Jamie Oliver Italian Tomato Soup Ingredients
- Tomatoes: When making Italian Tomato Soup, Jamie Oliver recommends using “red, ripe fresh tomatoes.” Getting delicious tomatoes from farmer’s markets or your garden. Not always possible. I use supermarket vine tomatoes and canned whole tomatoes.
- Stale bread: Traditional Tuscan bread is a form of unsalted rustic bread. Italian-style loaves that are at least a day old, such as ciabatta or a baguette, are acceptable stand-ins. If the crusts are too tough, feel free to cut them off.
- Garlic: Use two fat cloves.
- Olive oil: If you want the greatest flavor, choose an extra-virgin olive oil of good quality.
- Onion: Yellow or white onion.
- Fresh basil
- Salt, pepper, and sugar: The sweetness of the tomatoes will determine how much sugar you should add.
- Water: If you don’t have water on hand, vegetable broth is a fine substitute in a traditional pappa al Pomodoro. However, I find that the chicken stock overpowers the fresh tomato flavor.
How To Make Jamie Oliver Italian Tomato Soup
- In a blender or food processor, combine 2 cups of the bread cubes, 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend until a smooth paste is formed.
- In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook until the onion is very tender but not browned, 8-10 minutes.
- To taste, add tomatoes, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the saucepan and simmer the tomatoes for another 25 minutes, or until very soft. Mash the tomatoes into a coarse purée using a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the bread mixture with the tomatoes. If the soup appears to be too thick, add a little more water to thin it down. The texture should be rich and creamy while being spoonable. Remove from the heat after a few minutes.
- Drizzle the remaining bread cubes with olive oil. Toast them in a pan over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp.
- Season with extra salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with toasted bread, basil leaves, and an olive oil swirl. Warm or at room temperature, serve.
What To Serve With Italian Tomato Soup?
- Cheese and onion sandwich
- Filled Baltic Pies
- Mozzarella dippers
- Bonefish Mussels
- Cheese and bacon scones
- Pasta Pomodoro
- Jacket potato
- Green Bean
- Potato chips
- Crispy Almond Chicken
- A side salad
How To Store And Reheat Italian Tomato Soup?
If you store the Italian Tomato Soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container, it will stay fresh for up to three days. In order to reheat, heat on low in a saucepan. If the soup has thickened, add a little bit more water.
- The bread cubes, water, olive oil, garlic, and salt can be mixed in a big dish and left to soak for 30 minutes if you don’t want to or can’t be bothered to get out of your blender. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients together with a wooden spoon or a potato masher.
- Tomato peeling is mostly done for aesthetic and textural reasons. If you like the consistency of a whole tomato, there’s no need to blanch or peel it.
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Jamie Oliver Italian Tomato Soup Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 180
- Total Fat 6g
- Saturated Fat 0.5g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 1540mg
- Potassium 760mg
- Total Carbohydrate 26g
- Dietary Fiber 5g
- Sugars 20g
- Protein 4g
- Calcium 5%
- Iron 17%
Nutrition Facts Source: Source
Serving Size 1
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 180
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 6g10%
- Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
- Sodium 1540mg65%
- Potassium 760mg22%
- Total Carbohydrate 26g9%
- Dietary Fiber 5g20%
- Sugars 20g
- Protein 4g8%
- Calcium 5 mg
- Iron 17 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
