Description
Classic Panzanella with Mozzarella is the kind of fresh, easy salad that makes simple ingredients feel exciting. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red onion, basil, creamy mozzarella, and toasted bread come together in a bright Italian-style dish that works beautifully for lunch, dinner, or summer entertaining. If you are looking for easy salad recipes, quick lunch ideas, light dinner ideas, or fresh food ideas packed with texture and flavor, this is one of those easy recipes you will want to make again and again.
Ingredients
4 cups crusty bread, cubed
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large cucumber, chopped
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
1/4 cup fresh basil, torn
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Cut the bread into bite size cubes and toast until golden and crisp around the edges.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and tear the basil.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
4. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to the bowl and toss well in the dressing.
5. Fold in the toasted bread and mozzarella pearls gently so everything is evenly combined.
6. Add the basil and let the salad rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the bread can absorb the juices.
Notes
Use day old bread or toast fresh bread well so it holds up after mixing with the dressing.
Let the salad rest briefly before serving so the flavors blend, but do not let it sit too long or the bread may become too soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: classic panzanella with mozzarella, panzanella salad, italian bread salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, quick lunch, light dinner, fresh salad ideas