How to Make Copycat Panera Tomato Soup in 30 Minutes
Updated: Jun. 20, 2023
Recreate the comfort of Panera tomato soup with our easy 30-minute copycat recipe.
It’s a delightful surprise when you find a bit of comfort food on a restaurant menu. Panera tomato soup is no exception (especially when paired with Panera mac and cheese).
But it’s so convenient to cook at home! Luckily, with this copycat Panera tomato soup recipe, you can have your cake, erm, soup, and eat it too. (Same goes for this copycat Panera broccoli cheese soup.)
Made with just a few simple ingredients, like canned tomatoes, fresh basil and heavy cream, this easy Panera copycat recipe can be on your table in around 30 minutes. That’s faster than going to Panera or waiting for delivery!
How to Make Panera’s Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained, such as San Marzano
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- Salad croutons, optional
Editor’s Tip: Choose your favorite brand of croutons from the supermarket or make homemade croutons.
Directions
Step 1: Saute the veggies
In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute longer.
Step 2: Add tomatoes and herbs
To the onions and garlic, add the diced tomatoes, broth, basil, sugar and seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.
Step 3: Puree the soup
Next, puree the soup using an immersion blender until it’s smooth and velvety.
Editor’s Tip: Alternatively, allow the soup to cool slightly and puree it in batches using a blender. (Use this blender buying guide if you’re in the market.)
Step 4: Stir in the cream
Pour in the heavy cream (which is different than whipping cream) and stir to combine. Continue to cook until the soup has thickened slightly and is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 5: Serve
To serve, ladle the soup into bowls (or a copycat Panera bread bowl) and garnish with croutons, if desired. Serve warm!
Tips for Making Copycat Panera Tomato Soup
What do you serve with copycat Panera tomato soup?
Create a “You Pick Two” meal at home by pairing this homemade soup with any number of options. Serve with a copycat Disney grilled cheese sandwich, a Panera-inspired strawberry poppy seed salad or this turkey focaccia club sandwich.
How do you make copycat Panera tomato soup thicker?
For a thicker creamy tomato soup, pour in some additional heavy cream. For a thinner soup, gradually stir in additional vegetable broth just before serving until the desired consistency is reached.
How do you store copycat Panera tomato soup?
Panera tomato soup is a fantastic make-ahead recipe. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you’re freezing soup, allow the soup to defrost overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
To reheat Panera tomato soup, warm it gently on the stovetop in a medium saucepan until heated through.
Editor’s Tip: Reheat soups that contain dairy carefully. If warmed too quickly or over too high of heat, soups containing milk or cheese tend to curdle or become grainy. Low and slow is the name of the game.
Is copycat Panera tomato soup vegetarian?
Yes, this soup recipe is vegetarian—just make sure to opt for vegetable broth rather than chicken broth. For a vegan tomato soup, omit the heavy cream from the recipe and swap for an equal amount of full-fat coconut milk (or try one of these other methods for making creamy soup without using cream).
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