Zuppa di Cipolle is a rustic Italian onion soup rooted in Tuscany’s cucina povera—where simple, humble ingredients are transformed into soulful comfort. Slow-caramelized onions meld with savory broth, red wine, and crusty bread topped with melted cheese for a rich, heartwarming experience.

This Italian-style onion soup offers warmth and flavor with minimal effort. It balances sweet caramelized onions, fragrant herbs, and savory stock, creating a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings or a cozy starter. It brings indulgence in every spoonful.

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Why You Will Love the Zuppa di Cipolle Soup Recipe

You’ll adore this Zuppa di Cipolle recipe for its soul-nourishing flavors, comforting aroma, and satisfying simplicity. It brings Italian tradition to your table with minimal fuss yet delivers a deep, layered taste that tastes like it simmered all day.

The caramelized onions provide a natural sweetness that balances beautifully with the savory broth.
A splash of red wine enhances the depth and subtly enriches the soup.
The toasted baguette topped with melted Parmesan delivers a satisfying crunch and cheesy indulgence.
This rustic Italian soup is simple to prepare yet tastes like it has simmered all day.
It offers a comforting, soul-warming experience for cold evenings or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients You Will Need

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare this classic Italian onion soup. Stick with yellow onions for balanced flavor, and choose beef or vegetable stock depending on your taste preference.

Yellow onions – approx. 2 lbs (900 g)
Extra virgin olive oil – 3 tbsp
Butter – 2 tbsp
Garlic – 4 cloves
Dry red wine – 250 ml
Beef or vegetable stock – 1 L
Bay leaf – 1 leaf
Thyme – 2 tsp (or leaves)
Salt – 1 tsp
Black pepper – ½ tsp
Baguette – sliced (for topping)
Parmesan cheese – 100 g grated
Fresh parsley (optional garnish) – 2 tbsp

How to Cook Zuppa di Cipolle Soup

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a flavorful Italian onion soup with caramelized onions and a cheesy, toasted bread topping—simple, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly for 25–30 minutes, stirring often until the onions turn a rich, golden brown.

Step 2: Add Garlic, Wine, and Aromatics

Stir in minced garlic and cook another 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the red wine, simmer on medium-high heat for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.

Step 3: Simmer with Stock and Herbs

Add the stock, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 4: Toast the Baguette and Add Cheese

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Slice the baguette and toast for 8–10 minutes until golden. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the baguette and grated Parmesan, and optionally garnish with parsley.

Zuppa di Cipolle

Zuppa di Cipolle is a rustic Italian onion soup that balances sweet, caramelized onions with savory stock, herbs, and a touch of red wine. Topped with toasted baguette and Parmesan, it delivers deep, comforting flavors in every spoonful.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 5

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 320

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

2 lbs 900 g yellow onions, sliced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves minced
250 ml dry red wine
1 L beef or vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
2 tsp thyme or fresh leaves
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 baguette sliced
100 g Parmesan cheese grated
2 tbsp fresh parsley optional garnish

Method

Heat olive oil and butter in a pot. Add sliced onions with salt. Cook 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
Stir in garlic. Cook 2–3 minutes. Pour in wine and simmer 5 minutes until reduced.
Add stock, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes uncovered.
Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Toast baguette slices 8–10 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls, top with baguette and Parmesan. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

For a more authentic Italian presentation, serve the soup in oven-proof bowls and broil briefly after topping with bread and cheese until bubbly and golden.

Serving Tips for Zuppa di Cipolle Soup

Elevate your Zuppa di Cipolle by pairing it thoughtfully and finishing with style. These serving enhancements will enhance texture, flavor, and presentation—making each bowl more memorable.

Use oven-proof bowls and briefly broil the cheese-topped soup until golden and bubbly for a gratinéed finish.
Serve alongside a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for freshness and balance.
Add a drizzle of olive oil before serving for extra aroma and richness.
Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to add bright color and fragrant contrast.

Nutritional Benefits of Zuppa di Cipolle Soup

Zuppa di Cipolle is not only comforting—it also offers several nutritional benefits. Onions are rich in antioxidants, especially flavonoids and polyphenols, which support immune health and reduce inflammation.

Simmering onions preserves these valuable compounds while developing their naturally sweet profile. Olive oil contributes heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, consistent with the Mediterranean diet.

Although this soup includes cheese and toasted bread, it’s lighter than heavy cream-based soups. When prepared with vegetable broth, it becomes a lighter, vegetarian-friendly meal rich in flavor yet still nourishing and balanced.

Conclusion

Zuppa di Cipolle brings your table the warmth, tradition, and deep flavor of Italian comfort food. It’s a simple and richly rewarding dish with caramelized onions, aromatic broth, and cheesy, crispy bread. Whether served as a starter or cozy main, this soup is a soul-pleasing favorite that will delight every spoonful.