Bread Bowls and Soup Bread

Is there anything better than hot soup in a freshly made bread bowl? I vividly remember moving near the coast and seeing how popular clam chowder in a bread bowl was. Even now it brings me right back to a cool ocean breeze and warm, savory soup. I’ve since used bread bowls as a vessel for everything from soup to stews and even dips. In this collection of bread bowls and soup bread I’ll show you how to make delicious bread bowls, choose the best soups to fill them, and keep everything perfectly crispy from first bite to last.

What are Bread Bowls?

Bread bowls are round loaves of bread, smaller than a typical loaf but bigger than a dinner roll. The top is then cut off (like a pumpkin top!) and the inside is hollowed out, leaving a thick wall of bread. It is important that you leave enough bread on the sides and bottom to maintain the shape and integrity of the bowl, but also leave enough room for the soup

If you are using a thin broth soup we recommend toasting your bread bowl by hollowing it out, using a basting brush to spread on olive oil or melted butter and putting it in a preheated, 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes. For thicker soups, stews, chili and dips this is generally an unnecessary step.

Soup Bread

1. Acorn Squash Soup

• Ready in under 30 minutes, with no roasting required.
• Rich and creamy soup with sweet apples and warm fall spices.
• Can be made vegetarian or vegan with simple substitutions.

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2. 15 Bean Soup with Ham

• Throw together slow cooker meal, perfect for busy days
• Hearty and filling with fiber-packed beans and ham
• No-soak option available for quick prep

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3. Navy Bean Soup

• No soaking required when using an Instant Pot
• Budget-friendly mace with simple pantry staples
• Creamy texture, can mash beans for a thicker texture

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4. Great Northern Bean Soup

• Perfect for cold winter nights and make-ahead meals
• Can be made vegetarian by omitting meat and using vegetable broth
• Develops richer flavors the longer it cooks

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5. Cream of Jalapeño Soup

• Ready in less than 15 minutes from start to finish
• Spicy but not overwhelmingly so, with an adjustable heat level
• Thickened with cornstarch slurry instead of flour or roux

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6. Cheeseburger Soup with Velveeta

• Made in under 30 minutes with just 5 simple ingredients- you can also use our Simple Velveeta Substitutes!
• Tastes like a loaded cheeseburger but in soup form!
• Can be made on stovetop or in crockpot

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7. Zuppa Toscana Soup (Olive Garden Copycat)

• Ready in under 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
• Packed with potatoes, sausage, and kale for a hearty and balanced meal.
• Can be made lighter with turkey sausage and alternative cream options

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8. Lima Bean and Ham Soup

• Gluten-free and a quick one-pot dish
• Can use dried beans, quick-soaked beans, or frozen lima beans
• Ham bone or ham hock adds incredible savory depth

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9. Tortellini Soup

• Quick 30-minute meal
• Can be made spicy, vegetarian, or creamy with easy variations
• One-pot meal

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10. Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Rich and creamy with cream cheese and Tex-Mex flavors
• Pressure cooker creates deep flavors in fraction of the time
• Easily customizable for heat and spice preferences

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Other Recipes to Enjoy in Bread Bowls

Bread bowls aren’t just for soup! They’re perfect for serving hearty stews and thick chilis too. The bread bowl does double duty as both your serving dish and a delicious dipper for soaking up every last bit of savory broth. Want to impress your guests at your next gathering? Fill a bread bowl with your favorite dip and watch it disappear in minutes.

1. Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Made with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and peas in savory gravy
• Pressure cooking makes the beef tender and flavorful in a fraction of the time
• Can be made thicker and more gravy-like by simmering on sauté mode

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2. Stove Top Chili

• Budget-friendly and ready in just 30 minutes
• Made with only 4 simple ingredients (ground beef, chili beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and chili seasoning)
• Can be customized with extra vegetables, spices, or bacon for added depth

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3. Cajun Crab Dip

• Quick, 30 minute recipe
• Personal family favorite
• Watch how fast this disappears at your next event, it is irresistible

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4. Spinach Dip

• Made within 5 minutes
• Perfect event appetizer
• A great way to increase veggie intake!

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Bread Bowls

We have three different bread bowl recipes to fit something for everyone. During the fall, pumpkin shape bread bowls make a fun and festive presentation. Our Clam Chowder with Bread Bowl recipe shows the process of making both a bowl and the soup. If you are a sourdough fan, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of our sourdough bread bowl recipe.

1. Clam Chowder with Bread Bowl

• San Francisco-style white chowder that’s rich and creamy
• Perfect 30-minute recipe
• Stores in fridge for up to 5 days

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2. Pumpkin Bread Bowls

• Easy to make with frozen dough
• Fun, festive pumpkin shape
• Fun for families or special events

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3. Sourdough Bread Bowl

• Natural fermentation for a rich flavored bread
• Beginner friendly sourdough recipe
• The perfect vessel for soups, stews, chilis or dips!

Tips for Serving Bread Bowls

• Resist the temptation to tear into it, allow the soup to settle into the bread a bit and enjoy with your spoon first.
• When the bread has soaked up the broth a bit, keep it casual- tear pieces instead of using a fork and knife
• Prepare one bread bowl per person for soups or one bowl per dips or chilis for people to tear and enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions for Bread Bowls

• You can bake ahead of time and freeze in air tight container for up to three months
• Preparing dough ahead of time: For homemade bread bowls, you can prepare the dough, shape it into balls, and refrigerate overnight for the first rise. The next day, let the dough come to room temperature for about an hour before the final rise and baking. This slow, cold fermentation actually improves the flavor.
• You can hollow out your bread bowls up to 2 hours before serving. Store them cut-side down on a baking sheet at room temperature. Just before serving, toast the insides as directed to prevent sogginess.