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Ribollita Tuscan Bread Soup

A hearty and comforting Tuscan soup made with stale bread, vegetables, and beans, perfect for using up leftovers.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large Yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium Carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks Celery, diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
Vegetables and Beans
  • 1 bunch Tuscan or lacinato kale, chopped
  • 1/2 head Savoy cabbage, chopped
  • 2 cans Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can Crushed tomatoes
  • 6 cups Vegetable stock
  • 6 slices Rustic Italian bread, preferably stale
Herbs and Seasonings
  • 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for topping

Method
 

Build Your Aromatic Base
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until it shimmers slightly. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery all at once, stirring occasionally.
  2. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until everything softens and turns fragrant.
Add The Garlic And Herbs
  1. Stir in the minced garlic along with the fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs. Cook for just 30 seconds.
Bring In The Vegetables And Beans
  1. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add the chopped kale and cabbage. Toss in both cans of cannellini beans and the vegetable stock.
  2. Stir everything together until well combined.
Bring The Soup To A Simmer
  1. Turn the heat up slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  2. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady, gentle bubble.
Let It Cook Low And Slow
  1. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Season To Your Taste
  1. Once the vegetables are tender, season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
Stir In The Bread
  1. Tear or cut your rustic bread into rough chunks and add them to the simmering soup.
  2. Stir gently but thoroughly so every piece gets coated in the broth.
Simmer Until Thick And Stew-Like
  1. Let the soup simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes until the bread fully softens.
Serve It Right
  1. Ladle the finished soup into bowls while still warm and drizzle with extra olive oil.
  2. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if using.

Notes

Use stale bread only, let it rest overnight for better flavor, and consider adding extra stock when reheating if it thickens too much.