Panera Tomato Soup Recipe (Panera Bread Copycat)
This Panera tomato soup recipe is the copycat recipe you need when a craving for their creamy tomato basil soup hits! This version is quick and easy to make and tastes just like theirs- but for a fraction of the price of going to the restaurant.
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We love Panera in our house.
And this time of year, I crave their soups.
But to head out as a family to Panera costs more than I want to spend on a regular basis.
That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the flavors of their soups.
This creamy tomato basil soup is a spot on copycat of Panera’s tomato soup recipe.
It tastes just like the real deal, is quick and easy to make, and you can feed your whole family for less than the cost of one bowl of soup and drink.
Ingredients
To make this you’ll need:
- Olive oil– Don’t substitute another oil. You want the light fruity flavor from the oil.
- Onion– Chopped yellow onion
- Garlic– Fresh minced or pressed garlic
- Tomatoes– San Marzano tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- Vegetable broth– You could substitute chicken broth if needed
- Heavy cream– Don’t substitute a lower fat dairy product. The cream provides richness and gives this soup its velvety texture. Lower fat dairy just doesn’t do that.
- Sugar– To cut the acid.
- Spices– Salt, pepper, and basil
How to Make
To make this Panera tomato soup recipe, start by setting a Dutch oven, or other large soup pot, over medium heat.
Add the oil and onion to the pot, then sprinkle the salt over top.
Saute the onions, stirring often, until the onions are soft and tender.
When the onions are soft , stir the garlic into the pot.
Let it cook for 60 seconds, just until fragrant.
At this point, stir in all of the remaining ingredients, except for the sugar.
Bring the soup to a low boil then immediately reduce the heat to a slow simmer.
Let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and taste the soup.
Stir in the sugar (if needed) and salt and pepper the soup to taste.
Then, use an immersion blender to puree the tomato basil soup.
Ladle into bowls, serve warm, and enjoy!
What to Serve with Tomato Basil Soup
This soup is delicious on its own, but so good with a few extras.
We love it with:
- Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwiches
- Homemade croutons
- Topped with Parmesan cheese
- A good crusty piece of bread
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Leftovers reheat well on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t have an immersion blender? Carefully pour the soup in batches into a regular blender, blending each batch until smooth.
- For a little extra flavor, sprinkle some dried oregano into the soup.
- To add a touch of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes.
Other Copycat Panera Recipes
This Panera tomato soup recipe is a spot on copycat of the original that we love!
Make it today and enjoy!
Looking for other copycat Panera recipes?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this PANERA TOMATO SOUP RECIPE, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Panera Bread Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 14.5 oz cans San Marzano tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 14.5 oz can vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set a Dutch oven, or other large soup pot, over medium heat.
- Add the oil and onion to the pot, then sprinkle the salt over top. Sautee, stirring often, until the onions are soft and tender.
- Add the garlic to the pot, stirring it in to combine. Let it cook for 60 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Stir in all of the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT for the sugar.
- Bring the soup to a low boil, a bubble, then immediately reduce the heat to a slow simmer. Let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat. Carefully (it will be HOT) taste the soup. If you find it too acidic stir in the sugar, and if it tastes great- omit it. Salt & pepper the soup.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the tomato basil soup.
- Ladle into bowls, serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
- Don't have an immersion blender? Carefully pour the soup in batches into a regular blender, blending each batch until smooth.
- For a little extra flavor, sprinkle some dried oregano into the soup.
- To add a touch of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.
