Bread soup

Bread soup

35 min
Enjoy spoonful after spoonful of delicious bread soup, where flavours come alive from the mix of incredible vegetables and toasted bread. The soup is easy to make and can put any leftover bread to good use. Enjoy a serving of hot, comforting bread soup for dinner with the whole family.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/bread-soup/

Instructions

Croutons
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan-assisted oven).
  • Cut bread into large cubes and toss them with olive oil. 
  • Place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for about 10 minutes or until golden.
Soup
  • Cut vegetables into large pieces.
  • Heat a pan and add olive oil. Fry vegetables and garlic at high heat for about 5 minutes.
  • Add tomato puree and fry for another 30 seconds. Add peeled tomatoes, water, and stock cube to the pan and cook for about 15 minutes. Add cooking cream and cook at low heat for another 10 minutes.
  • Blend the soup and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Serve the soup with croutons on top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Enjoy!
Tip

Since this soup relies on simple ingredients, using high-quality vegetables can significantly improve the flavour of the final serving. Choose ripe, flavourful tomatoes, sweet and crisp peppers, and fresh onions and garlic for the best results.

Tip

Making bread soup ahead is a great idea. The soup often tastes even better the next day, as the flavours have had time to meld together. Consider making a batch ahead of time and reheating it when ready to serve for an easy and satisfying meal. We recommend toasting the bread as close to serving as possible to ensure its crispy texture.

Ingredients

Croutons
Day-old bread
250 g
Olive oil
15 g
Soup
Tomatoes
450 g
Red peppers
200 g
Onions
250 g
Garlic cloves
2
Olive oil
15 g
Tomato paste
1 tbsp
Tomatoes
1 can
Water
1½ l
Stock cube
½
Cooking cream with herbs
400 ml
Flaky salt
1½ tsp
Freshly ground pepper
Garnish
Fresh basil

Try our comforting bread soup

Try the comforting embrace of bread soup, a hearty dish with vibrant vegetables. With its origin in various European regions, our bread soup recipe explores the many great flavours that come from cooking a bunch of vegetables and having delicious cubes of bread to soak up the goodness. Over time, the soup has become a go-to recipe in many houses for its easy preparation, simple ingredients, and deep flavours. Serve to the whole family when you need a warm bowl of comfort food.

If you love soup as much as we do, you might also want to try our creamy cheese soup with croutons or our tasty parsley soup. Other great options include a wonderful potato and parsley soup and a tomato and lentil soup with croutons.

A hearty soup with tomatoes, onions, and sweet peppers

In the heart of the soup lie the beautifully vibrant vegetables. Throw them on the pan and see within a few minutes how they caramelise and turn slightly sweet. This process is essential to the bread soup, giving it a deep flavour profile with a hint of sweetness. With the addition of cream, tomato paste, and stock, the soup quickly evolves into a delicious and velvety-smooth mixture full of fresh, rich, and sweet flavours. Our bread soup truly is a hearty dish best served when you need a little warmth.

Toasted bread and fresh basil for a crowning touch

Textural difference is key, so you need a crunchy element to go with the smooth soup. Stale bread will work wonders with its distinct ability to soak up liquids. Toss bread cubes with oil and let them get all nice and crispy in the oven. Top off the delicious soup with a batch of golden-brown bread cubes, ensuring a satisfying crunch with every spoonful. Garnish with aromatic basil leaves for a burst of freshness and a colourful contrast.

The ideal soup for lunch and dinner

No matter the time of day, you can enjoy a bowl of hot bread soup. If you are searching for a hearty lunch option full of vegetables, look no further. Bread soup can give your lunchtime a boost of luxury with its rich flavours, delicate texture, and crunchy topping. You can also cook up a big portion and invite friends and family to a delicious comfort meal. Both children and adults will savour the sweet aromas and intense flavours as you enjoy a tasty dinner together. If you want to serve the soup with a side, you can make a cheesy bread au gratin or serve a stuffed bread for everyone to tear pieces off.

Experiment with the ingredients

Our bread soup recipe is simple and easy, making it perfect if you want to adjust a few things. The kitchen is a creative space, so we understand if you want to experiment with the ingredients.

While tomatoes, onions, and sweet peppers form the soup base, you can enhance its flavour profile by incorporating additional vegetables. Carrots and courgettes, for example, will bring a mild earthy sweetness, while celery provides depth.

Herbs and spices are probably the simplest way to play around with the flavour. Go for fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary to impart vibrant aromas and flavours to the soup. Spices such as paprika, cumin, and chilli can add a hint of warmth, and they are particularly appropriate during the colder months when you need a little extra heat.

Cooking cream with herbs helps give the soup its creamy and smooth texture, but you can also experiment with the type of cream used if you want another level of richness. Double cream has a thicker and creamier texture, while single cream or half-and-half offers a lighter alternative. Other options include coconut cream or almond milk, but remember they bring a distinct fruity and nutty flavour to the soup.