Easy Jamie Oliver Bread Soup Recipe: Rustic Comfort in a Bowl

Jamie Oliver’s bread soup transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that warms both stomach and soul.

Peasant cooking traditions inspired this simple yet magnificent dish that celebrates resourcefulness and flavor.

Stale bread becomes a magical ingredient, absorbing rich tomato essence and creating incredible depth.

Mediterranean kitchens have long understood the art of turning seemingly basic components into extraordinary meals.

Robust garlic and fragrant basil dance together, creating an aromatic symphony that awakens taste buds.

Fresh seasonal tomatoes provide vibrant color and intense natural sweetness to this rustic preparation.

Nourishing and unpretentious, this soup represents comfort cooking at its finest: come hungry and prepare to be delighted.

Tips for a Rich, Flavorful Bread Soup

• Select Bread Wisely: Grab bread that's rock-hard and forgotten in your kitchen. Dry, stale slices soak up soup flavors like magical sponges.
• Boost Tomato Magic: Hunt down the most sun-kissed, vibrant tomatoes your local market offers. Ripe, juicy tomatoes are the secret flavor bomb.
• Simmer with Patience: Cook the soup at a gentle, lazy pace. Low and slow transforms ordinary ingredients into a flavor symphony.
• Blend for Comfort: Want silky smoothness? Grab your blender and whirl part of the soup before bread joins the party. Creamy texture awaits.
• Let Flavors Dance: Give your soup a peaceful rest after cooking. Overnight magic happens – flavors mingle and intensify, making each spoonful more delicious than the last.

Store Bread Soup to Keep It Tasty

• Freezing Method: Pack cooled soup in heavy-duty freezer containers, leaving one-inch headspace for expansion. Label containers with date and contents. Separate into individual portion sizes for convenient future meals. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal taste quality.
• Refrigeration Method: Transfer soup into glass or ceramic containers with tight-sealing lids. Keep soup at consistent temperatures between 35-40°F. Consume within three days for peak freshness and flavor. Avoid storing near strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor contamination.
• Quick Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated soup slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add small splash of water or broth if soup appears too thick. Heat until steaming hot, reaching internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety. Stir gently to prevent burning and maintain original texture.

Creative Variations on Bread Soup

• Mediterranean Veggie Boost: Add diced zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers during roasting for extra vegetable richness and nutrition.
• Spicy Chorizo Punch: Incorporate crispy chorizo sausage pieces while cooking to introduce a smoky, spicy flavor profile that complements the tomato base.
• Cheesy Comfort Edition: Sprinkle grated parmesan or crumbled feta cheese on top before serving to create a creamy, tangy layer of flavor that elevates the soup's texture.
• Herb Garden Spin: Mix in fresh thyme, oregano, and rosemary alongside the basil to create a more complex and aromatic herb blend that deepens the soup's overall taste.

A Comforting Wrap-Up for Bread Soup

Jamie Oliver’s bread soup whispers comfort through Mediterranean simplicity.

Roasted cherry tomatoes mingle with fragrant basil, creating liquid poetry on your spoon.

Rich olive oil threads elegance through rustic bread chunks.

Mediterranean peasant traditions breathe life into each warm bowl.

Fresh basil leaves crown this liquid masterpiece with aromatic grace.

Passionate home chefs will adore this soul-warming recipe – savor each spoonful, share with friends, scatter love through your kitchen, and inspire culinary creativity with this soulful Italian-inspired symphony.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Bread Soup Warms the Heart

• Burst with Roasted Tomato Goodness: The recipe transforms simple cherry tomatoes into flavor-packed gems by roasting them with garlic and basil, creating an intense, caramelized taste that elevates the entire soup's depth and complexity.
• Create Rustic Comfort in Minutes: This bread soup offers a quick and easy cooking method that turns humble ingredients like canned tomatoes and stale bread into a luxurious, creamy dish ready in under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks seeking satisfying meals.
• Embrace Waste-Free Cooking Magic: Jamie Oliver's genius technique of using torn bread and roasted tomato juices demonstrates how basic ingredients can be transformed into a rich, velvety soup, reducing food waste while maximizing flavor and texture in every spoonful.

Essential Ingredients for Bread Soup

• Basil: Aromatic herb that adds a fresh, sweet flavor to the soup. Choose bright green leaves without wilting.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor. Select firm, plump cloves without sprouting.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and vibrant base for roasting. Pick ripe, firm tomatoes with bright color.

• Canned Tomatoes: Rich and concentrated tomato base for the soup. Look for high-quality, whole peeled tomatoes.
• Bread: Adds texture and thickness to the soup. Day-old rustic bread works best for maximum absorption.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides richness and depth of flavor. Choose a high-quality, fruity olive oil.
• Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste. Use freshly ground black pepper for best results.
• Water: Helps adjust the soup's consistency and balance flavors.

How to Make Jamie Oliver’s Bread Soup

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Warm the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4) to prepare for roasting tomatoes.

Step 2: Prepare Ingredients

• Peeling garlic cloves
• Slicing garlic thinly
• Separating basil leaves from stems
• Chopping basil stems finely

Step 3: Roast Cherry Tomatoes

• Poke small holes in each tomato
• Sprinkle 1 sliced garlic clove
• Scatter 1/4 of basil leaves on top
• Drizzle extra virgin olive oil
• Season with sea salt and black pepper
• Toss gently to coat
• Roast for 20 minutes to intensify flavors

Step 4: Create Soup Base

• Heat oil
• Sauté basil stems and remaining garlic
• Cook for 1 minute until garlic softens

Step 5: Simmer Tomato Mixture

• Add canned tomatoes
• Break tomatoes with a wooden spoon
• Pour equal amount of water
• Bring to boil
• Reduce heat
• Simmer for 15 minutes

Step 6: Add Bread and Season

• Tear bread into chunks
• Mix into soup
• Season with salt and pepper
• Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes
• Tear most remaining basil leaves into soup

Step 7: Combine Roasted Tomatoes

• Remove roasted tomatoes from oven
• Add to soup pan
• Scrape all juices and caramelized bits

Step 8: Adjust Soup Consistency

• Stir thoroughly
• Aim for thick, porridge-like texture
• Add water if needed for desired consistency

Step 9: Final Touch

• Remove from heat
• Stir in extra virgin olive oil
• Divide into serving bowls
• Garnish with remaining torn basil leaves

Jamie Oliver Bread Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Jamie Oliver’s hearty bread soup blends rustic Italian countryside flavors with simple, nourishing ingredients. Crusty bread, rich tomatoes, and aromatic herbs create a comforting bowl that welcomes you to savor each spoonful of traditional Mediterranean warmth.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 500 g (1.1 lb) stale quality bread
• 500 g (1.1 lb) ripe cherry tomatoes
• 2 x 400 g (2 x 14 oz) tins of quality plum tomatoes

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 1 big bunch of fresh basil
• 3 cloves of garlic

Seasoning and Oil:

• quality extra virgin olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) using gas mark 4.
2. Delicately slice the garlic cloves into thin slivers and carefully separate the basil leaves from their stems, then finely chop the stems.
3. Arrange cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, gently piercing each one. Distribute a slice of garlic and a quarter of the basil leaves across the tomatoes.
4. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the tomatoes, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring an even coating. Roast for 20 minutes to intensify the flavors.
5. While roasting, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan. Sauté the basil stems and remaining garlic for approximately one minute until the garlic becomes fragrant and softened.
6. Pour in the canned tomatoes, crushing them with a wooden spoon. Add an equivalent amount of water from the can. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Tear the bread into rustic pieces and incorporate into the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes, then gently fold in most of the remaining basil leaves.
8. Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven, noticing their burst and caramelized appearance. Transfer them to the pan, scraping all the concentrated juices and caramelized bits from the baking sheet.
9. Stir the soup thoroughly, aiming for a thick, creamy consistency reminiscent of porridge. Adjust the liquid by adding a small amount of water if necessary.
10. Remove from heat, generously drizzle six tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into the soup. Divide among serving bowls and garnish with the remaining torn basil leaves.

Notes

• Create a flavor foundation by using day-old bread that’s extra dry and crispy.
• Select vine-ripened tomatoes bursting with natural sweetness for maximum taste complexity.
• Allow the soup to gently simmer, letting each ingredient whisper its delicious secrets.
• Break up the bread into rustic chunks for delightful textural contrast in every spoonful.
• Embrace the magic of overnight resting, which transforms good soup into an extraordinary culinary experience.

• Prep Time: 13 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg