Occasionally the grocery store will offer up an irresistible bakery deal in the form of a fresh, golden loaf of Italian bread. Fluffy on the inside and crispy-crunchy on the outside, this variety of white bread is a go-to choice for classic Italian-style sandwiches and hoagies. It’s also foundational to a number of creative recipes you may not have considered—til now. Here are the best recipes that use Italian bread, from Panzanella (Italian bread salad) to bread bowls of creamy crab dip, bread pudding, toasted paninis, and more.
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Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
All you need is a loaf of round Italian bread to get this party appetizer started. Studded with Brie cheese and festive dried cranberries, it makes for a great holiday dish to share.
Midsummer Italian Bread Salad
Allrecipes/Sonia Bozzo
“This salad was divine!” says an Allrecipes member. “My fiance absolutely loved it! I found when that if you toast fresh bread pieces in warm olive oil mixed with minced garlic it adds a great flavor.”
Real Nawlins Muffaletta
“This will make you the hero of any party you go to. This is so delicious and so easy it is worth the effort because it does take some effort. But it’s yummy it was a crowd pleaser my sister’s raved about it and I plan on making it again and again.” —Doria
Italian Breakfast Strata
John Mitzewich
“Despite the lengthy process it is totally worthy to make. I only made half the recipe and was still able to cut it into 8 portions and honestly, they were very satisfying. Will make it again with a bit of planning ahead of course!” —plates4u
Garlic Bread Spread
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Love it, love it, love it! This is so quick and easy to make and delicious! I don’t buy frozen garlic bread any more; just make this. I cut each half in half and freeze so I always have 1/4 loaf ready to go in the oven.” —GrannyNanny
Best Blueberry Bread Pudding
Allrecipes / Qi Ai
“This was my first time ever making bread pudding, so I was a bit nervous about how it would turn out. It’s so perfect that hubby says if it’s any better the 2nd time he won’t be able to stand it. This is definitely a keeper.” —LeAnn
Bread Pudding
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“It turned out just perfect,” according to Meagan Kellermann-Brown. “We used day-old Italian bread from the bakery and semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of raisins. We didn’t change anything else about the recipe.”
Crab Dip
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“I added a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder and some paprika. I also added crystals hot sauce. It came out perfect. It was a crowd pleaser for sure! There isn’t a lot of bread so be prepared to add some crackers and or tortilla chips.” —FluffyFlan2637
Italian Chicken Panini
“I was sure this sandwich was gonna need something else a little extra, but boy was I wrong! This was absolutely delicious and full of flavor! Perfect combo of flavors and a great crunchy texture! This is going into the rotation for sure-yum!” —Christina
Ribollita (Tuscan Bread Soup)
John Mitzewich
“Baked garlic bread croutons in the soup and on top as a garnish is a must for a soul-warming soup/stew.” —Sharyl
