Pepperoni Pizza Soup in Bread Bowls
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Pizza Soup tastes just like your favorite slice, nestled into warm and chewy bread bowls. The hearty tomato broth warms you right up, and mini pepperoni is like a fun surprise in every bite. This fabulous pizza soup recipe goes from prep to plate in just 30 minutes!
Pizza Soup
My family is filled with picky eaters. I am a veggie lover, Chad barely touches anything fresh, and Munchkin is somewhere in between. And don’t even get me started on meat!
We all have our own food favorites and dislikes, but pizza brings us all together.
That’s why I’ve come up with all different ways of serving it, including pinwheels, this pasta skillet, and even stuffed chicken breast!
Transforming our favorite pizza into a scrumptious pepperoni soup was an easy dinner that we all loved.
Enjoy your pizza bread bowl with a fresh salad or some steamed veggies… dinner is served!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Canned Tomatoes – You’ll need one big can of crushed tomatoes, plus a few tablespoons of tomato paste to flavor and thicken the whole pot.
I like to use crushed tomatoes with roasted garlic, but you can always use plain and add a few minced cloves of garlic separately. - Sun-dried Tomatoes – Use the kind packed in oil for the best flavor. You don’t need a whole jar — only about 2 tablespoons diced.
Save the rest for a delicious ricotta frittata! - Chicken Base – This is a concentrated paste that can be reconstituted into broth or added to soups for extra flavor. And it dissolves so much better than bouillon cubes!
Better Than Bouillon is my favorite brand, and it has a really long shelf life too.
You can also replace the water and chicken base with 1 quart (4 cups) of chicken broth instead. - Mini Pepperoni – So tiny and cute! They also blend into the pizza soup better than giant slices. Find bags of these in the deli case or with the refrigerated salads.
And if you can’t find them in your store, simply slice regular pepperoni into smaller pieces. - Seasonings – Garlic powder and onion powder add savory goodness, while plenty of Italian seasoning infuses the entire soup with traditional pizza flavor!
You shouldn’t need any salt. - Cheese – Add freshly grated parmesan to the pot, then shred some mozzarella for the topping.
Fresh cheese really does melt down so much better — and definitely don’t use the powdered stuff! - Bread Bowls – These are entirely optional but add to the pizza flavor! Storebought is fine, or I’ve got a quick recipe down below.
You could also serve your pizza soup in a regular bowl and eat it with some crusty bread or breadsticks.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Pizza Soup
- Measure out all your ingredients before starting.
This recipe moves fast, and it’s so much easier to dump everything into the pot when it’s needed.
Don’t forget to dice up the sun-dried tomatoes! You want those evenly distributed throughout the soup instead of getting a big chunk in one bite.
- Don’t simmer for too long.
Once you bring the soup to a boil, it only takes about 15 minutes for the flavors to meld together.
The longer you simmer, the more liquid will evaporate, and this is already a pretty thick soup!
- Use high-quality ingredients.
I’m all about budget-friendly options, but sometimes it pays to spend a little more for the good stuff.
With simple recipes like this one, each ingredient really impacts the flavor so you want to make them count.
And if you need to pick and choose, focus on the crushed and sun-dried tomatoes for the best results!
Prep Ahead
- Make bread bowls
- Drain and dice sun-dried tomatoes
- Shred cheese
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- 4 Quart Stock Pot – Great for soups, roasts, frying, and more! This is a staple in my kitchen.
- Cheese Grater – Fresh cheese makes this recipe even better! Skip the bagged shreds and buy a block to grate yourself.
- Ladle – A must for dishing up pepperoni pizza soup!
How to Make Simple Bread Bowls
While I love making bread from scratch, sometimes dinnertime calls for shortcuts!
I found an easy way to make chewy, tender bread bowls with just 2 ingredients and very little effort.
- Shape the dough: Thaw 4 frozen dinner rolls per bowl (Rhodes is my favorite brand), then combine them into one dough ball.
Place each giant dough ball on a greased baking sheet and brush with egg wash (beaten egg and 1 tablespoon water). - Let it rise: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and a tea towel. Let it rise until it has doubled in size, about 60-90 minutes.
- Bake and cool: Remove the plastic and towel, then bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
To use your homemade bread bowl, cut a 3-inch circle in the center of each loaf and hollow out the bread.
Ladle in some soup, then top each pizza bread bowl with shredded mozzarella cheese!
Storing and Reheating Pepperoni Soup
Transfer any leftover pizza soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Bread bowls can be kept at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wrap in plastic or keep covered so they don’t dry out.
You can also freeze pepperoni soup for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Pizza Soup Recipe FAQ
Yes, and it’s a great way to have dinner waiting for you when you get home!
Since all the ingredients are already cooked, you just need to get the mixture simmering. Combine everything except the cheese in a crockpot, then cook on Low for 3-4 hours or on High for 2-3 hours.
Add freshly shredded parmesan just before serving, stirring until it’s melted. Then, dish it right up!
The tomato paste does a pretty good job, and this soup is pretty thick already.
But if it’s still too loose for your liking, mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir that into the pot. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until thickened!
On the other hand, you can thin out the soup with more water or some chicken broth.
Any of your favorite pizza toppings! Sauté mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions in the pot before adding the other ingredients. Be sure to use a little oil to help them soften.
You can also swap the pepperoni with browned Italian sausage or linguica — or use all 3 for a true meat lover’s version.
For toppings, sprinkle on some sliced black olives or freshly chopped basil to make this dish more delish!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy 30 Minute Soup Recipes
Pepperoni Pizza Soup in Bread Bowls
Ingredients
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes with roasted garlic
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons low sodium chicken base
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, diced, packed in oil
- 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 5 ounce package mini pepperoni
- 4 ounces fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
- shredded mozzarella, optional garnish
- store bought or homemade bread bowls, optional
Instructions
- Combine the first 8 ingredients in an 4 qt pot over medium high heat. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
- Add pepperoni (reserve a few for garnish if desired). Stir. Reduce to medium heat and boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile: Cut a 3” circle in the top of bread bowls. Remove most of bread inside.
- Pour soup into bread bowl.
- Garnish with a pinch of mozzarella cheese.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2013, updated and republished January 2025
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What a fun idea Donna!
Pizza in a bread bowl…who needs anything else!! Sign me up for leftovers 🙂
We love those little pepperoni, don't you?
Exactly like a pepperoni pizza, but different enough that it stands out on it’s own. Such a great flavor profile