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family favorite panzanella salad

(3 ratings)
Quinnn avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Family Favorites
@Quinnn
Not Far From Green Bay, WI

Italian Panzanella Salad or Bread Salad is an awesome way to use up any day-old dinner rolls or bakery hamburger buns you may have. Serve as a side salad or lay sliced, grilled chicken breasts or grilled jumbo shrimp on top for a quick and delicious meal. I make this salad by the seat of my pants most of the time. Meaning, adjust the seasonings and ingredients to your liking. Unlike most salads, the croutons, and not the lettuce, are the star of the show. If you love garlic croutons, this salad is for you.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This refreshing panzanella salad is delish. It has a light, tangy dressing and crunchy homemade seasoned croutons that are absolutely delightful with the mixture of fresh veggies. Bits of soft mozzarella in every bite make the salad irresistible and sophisticated. It's a quick and easy summertime salad. When served, your guests or family will be very impressed.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 6 serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For family favorite panzanella salad

  • DRESSING
  • 1 Tbsp
    red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp
    dijon mustard (any brown mustard will do)
  • 1/4 tsp
    salt
  • a few turns of freshly cracked black pepper
  • 4 Tbsp
    light tasting olive oil, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp
    sugar, or to taste
  • HOMEMADE CROUTONS
  • 4 c
    day old dinner rolls or bakery hamburger buns, cut in 1" cubes
  • light tasting olive oil, drizzled
  • salt, to taste
  • cracked pepper, to taste
  • oregano, to taste
  • thyme, to taste
  • garlic powder, to taste
  • SALAD
  • 1
    container of cherry tomatoes, halved (multi-color are nice)
  • 8 oz
    mozzarella pearls
  • 1/2 c
    red onion
  • 2-3 clove
    garlic, mashed with the side of a knife
  • 1/4-1/2 c
    cup banana pepper rings
  • 2 tsp
    banana pepper ring juice
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    oregano
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    thyme
  • pinch
    red pepper flakes
  • shredded carrot for color, optional
  • 2
    small handfuls of chopped romaine lettuce (in this salad, lettuce is just for color, not the main ingredient)

How To Make family favorite panzanella salad

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cutting bread into 1-inch cubes.
    2
    Cut buns into large 1" cubes.
  • Drizzling olive oil over bread.
    3
    Drizzle liberally with olive oil and toss to coat.
  • Mixing in seasonings.
    4
    Season generously with salt, cracked pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano; toss again.
  • Pouring bread onto baking sheet.
    5
    Place bread cubes on a cookie sheet.
  • Baking bread cubes until golden brown.
    6
    Bake until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Don't overcook. Allow to cool.
  • Whisking dressing ingredients together.
    7
    Combine dressing ingredients and whisk until well combined.
  • Adding salad ingredients to a bowl.
    8
    Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl (except dressing and croutons).
  • Gently tossing the salad.
    9
    Toss gently.
  • Adding dressing and croutons to the salad.
    10
    Add croutons and dressing and toss gently until combined.
  • Tossing salad together.
    11
    Let stand 5-10 minutes for flavors to blend. Remove garlic cloves before serving.
  • Panzanella salad in a bowl.
    12
    Serve as a side salad, add grilled chicken or grilled jumbo shrimp on top for a quick, healthy meal. Enjoy!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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