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+ servings
bread salad in a large white bowl
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5 from 1 vote

Panzanella Salad with Feta and Fresh Basil

Fresh and flavorful, few dishes celebrate the flavors of summer like the bread salad known as Panzanella. This version includes a simple dressing made with sun-dried tomatoes for extra tomato flavor.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Salad
Keyword: bbq side dish, easy salad recipe, easy side dish, potluck recipe, summer, summer salad
Servings: 4
Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $6.00

Equipment

  • Half Sheet Pan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Standing or Immersion Blender

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 12 oz Good-Quality Bread, 1-inch cubes (Ciabatta or Sourdough work well here - look for a bakery-style loaf of bread)
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 lbs Tomatoes, chopped (use heirloom or locally-grown tomatoes if available)
  • 1 8 oz Cucumber, chopped
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced Red Onion
  • 4 oz Feta Cheese, crumbled
  • 10 leaves Basil, chopped, plus more for garnish

Tomato-Basil Dressing:

  • 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 2 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 small Sun-dried Tomato (from a jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil)
  • 1 1/2 tsp Honey

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C.
  • Toss bread cubes with 2 Tablespoons olive oil and spread out on a large sheet pan (use two if needed). Season bread with some salt and pepper.
  • Bake bread until golden and very crisp, shaking the pan or flipping the bread with a spatula halfway through cooking, about 15 minutes total.
  • While bread toasts, combine all ingredients for the dressing and blend with an immersion blender or standing blender until smooth. Set aside.
  • Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl, including toasted bread.
  • Slowly add dressing to salad while tossing everything together to combine.
  • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1004mg | Potassium: 548mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 391IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 5mg