Go Back
baked bread chunks with tomatoes and cheese
Emily

Panzanella Salad

This fresh and hearty Panzanella Salad brings together crispy toasted bread, juicy tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and fragrant basil, all tossed in a bright lemon and white balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings or an easy weeknight meal. Best enjoyed fresh the day it's made!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 loaf of crusty day-old bread
  • ¼ to ½ cup olive oil depending on the bread
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 –5 cups tomatoes chopped
  • ½ cup torn basil leaves
  • 8 oz mozzarella pearls
  • 1 small red onion halved and thinly sliced
  • Vinaigrette Dressing:
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • ⅓ cup white balsamic vinegar
  • Juice + zest of one lemon
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic minced into a paste with 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  2. Tear bread into large chunks and spread on a baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well.
  4. Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp. Let cool.
  5. Make the vinaigrette. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl or jar. Whisk or shake well. Let sit while prepping veggies.
  6. Chop tomatoes and slice onion thin.
  7. In a large bowl, toss together bread, tomatoes, onion, and mozzarella.
  8. Pour vinaigrette over the top and gently toss. let sit for 15 minutes, then toss again.
  9. Transfer to a serving platter and top with fresh basil.
  10. Serve Immediately.

Notes

  • Use cherry tomatoes, heirlooms, or a mix—whatever’s ripest.
  • Try crumbled feta, shaved parmesan, or burrata instead of mozzarella.
  • Add cucumbers for extra crunch or grilled corn for a sweet twist.
  • Best eaten the same day, those juicy tomatoes will soften the bread as it sits.