Copycat Panera Tomato Soup Recipe Easy & Delicious

Few things are as comforting as a warm bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese. If you love the creamy tomato soup at Panera Bread, this copycat version brings that same rich, velvety flavor straight to your kitchen no takeout needed.

This recipe balances bright tomato flavor, a touch of cream, and fresh basil for a cozy bowl that feels restaurant-quality but uses simple pantry ingredients. It’s perfect for lunch, easy dinners, or pairing with your favorite grilled cheese on a chilly day.

Ingredients for Panera Tomato Soup Recipe

This copycat Panera tomato soup starts with simple pantry staples good canned tomatoes, aromatics, broth, cream, and fresh basil to recreate that silky, café-style texture at home.

Main Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes (or 3 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil (plus additional for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh basil leaves
• Croutons
• Swirl of heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Special Equipment:

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Immersion blender (or standard blender)

The combination of sautéed onion, garlic, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes builds a deep, layered tomato flavor. Heavy cream adds the familiar richness Panera fans love, while fresh basil keeps the soup bright and aromatic.

If you’re curious about which tomato types work best in cooking, you can check a tomato variety guide from a trusted source like The Spruce Eats and choose your favorite style for this soup.

How to Make Panera Tomato Soup Recipe

This copycat Panera tomato soup comes together in about 45 minutes and uses one pot plus a blender. Here’s exactly how to layer the flavors so your soup turns out silky, creamy, and deeply tomato-forward every time.

Step 1: Prepare Your Base

1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
2. Add the diced onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until they turn soft and translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30-45 seconds, just until fragrant. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Step 2: Build Flavor Depth

1. Add tomato paste to the pot and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. This step caramelizes the paste slightly, adding richness to your final soup.
2. Pour in the crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes if using) and stir to combine with the onion mixture.
3. Add vegetable broth and stir to blend all ingredients together.

Step 3: Season and Simmer

1. Add the chopped fresh basil, dried oregano, and bay leaf to the pot.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. If your tomatoes are particularly acidic, add the optional sugar to balance the flavors.
4. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
5. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the soup to reduce slightly.
6. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Blend Until Smooth

1. Remove the pot from heat and let cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
2. Remove the bay leaf.
3. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth and velvety.
4. If you don’t have an immersion blender, work in batches to transfer the soup to a standard blender. Fill the blender no more than halfway with the hot soup, and hold the lid down with a kitchen towel while blending.

Step 5: Finish with Cream

1. Return the pureed soup to the pot over low heat.
2. Slowly stir in the heavy cream, mixing well to incorporate.
3. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes, but don’t allow it to boil.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar as necessary.

Step 6: Serve

1. Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
2. Garnish with a swirl of cream, fresh basil leaves, croutons, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

This copycat Panera tomato soup comes together in about 45 minutes from start to finish. The result is a soup that tastes remarkably similar to what you’d get at Panera Bread, but made fresh in your own kitchen with ingredients you control.

Serving Suggestions

This copycat Panera tomato soup makes a perfect meal on its own, but it truly shines when paired with complementary dishes. Here are some ideal serving suggestions to get the most enjoyment from your homemade soup:

Classic Pairings

Nothing complements tomato soup quite like a grilled cheese sandwich. For the authentic Panera experience, make a grilled cheese using sourdough bread and a mix of cheddar and gruyere cheeses. The contrast between the crispy, buttery sandwich and the smooth, creamy soup creates that comforting combination that has made this pairing a timeless classic.

Bread Options

If you’re looking for something simpler than a grilled cheese, a chunk of crusty bread makes an excellent dipper for this soup. Consider serving with:

• French baguette slices
• Garlic bread
• Rosemary focaccia
• Homemade croutons sprinkled on top

Fresh Additions

Balance the richness of the soup with something light and fresh:

• A simple side salad with vinaigrette dressing
• Sliced avocado
• Fresh cucumber rounds
• Thinly sliced radishes with sea salt

Elevate Your Presentation

For special occasions or when entertaining guests, consider these serving ideas:

• Serve in bread bowls for an impressive presentation
• Drizzle a pattern of cream on top and run a toothpick through it for an elegant design
• Sprinkle with microgreens or tiny basil leaves
• Add a small spoonful of pesto in the center of each bowl

Make It a Meal

For a more substantial dinner:

• Pair with a half sandwich of your choice
• Serve a smaller portion as a starter before a main course
• Offer as part of a soup and salad lunch combo

This versatile soup works well for lunch, dinner, or even a cozy afternoon snack. Its smooth texture and balanced flavors make it appealing to both adults and children, perfect for family meals. Serve it hot in winter for comfort food at its best, or try it at room temperature during warmer months for a refreshing option.

For a cozy Panera-style combo at home, try serving this tomato soup with our copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup, creamy chicken wild rice soup, or a simple side like green bean casserole for a full comfort-food spread.

Tips & Variations

Making this copycat Panera tomato soup at home means you can tweak it to your taste. Here are simple techniques and creative twists to make it your own.

Key Techniques

The secret to depth lies in properly developing flavors from the start. Toast your tomato paste for 1-2 minutes until it darkens slightly before adding liquids – this reduces acidity and adds richness.

Achieving silky smoothness depends on blending technique. For best results, use circular motions with your immersion blender, gradually moving from bottom to top. Let the soup rest briefly after blending to allow air bubbles to escape.

Consider finishing with a splash of balsamic vinegar just before serving – it brightens the tomato flavor in ways salt alone cannot.

Store leftover soup in glass containers rather than plastic to prevent staining and preserve flavor, keeping it fresh for 4-5 days.

Creative Adaptations

Mediterranean Style: Incorporate 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and crumbled feta.

Bread Bowl Alternative: Hollow out individual sourdough rolls, lightly toast, and ladle soup inside for a home version of Panera’s presentation.

Seasonal Twist: Fold in diced roasted butternut squash in fall or sweet corn kernels in summer.

Temperature Play: Serve chilled in summer with a dollop of Greek yogurt and cucumber garnish.

Protein Addition: Stir in white beans or shredded rotisserie chicken for a more substantial meal.

Each adjustment maintains the essence of what makes Panera’s tomato soup beloved while allowing for personal preference and seasonal ingredients.

Nutritional Information

Understanding the nutritional profile of your homemade copycat Panera tomato soup helps you make informed dietary choices. This version provides comfort and flavor while giving you control over ingredients and portions.

A standard serving (approximately 1½ cups) of this homemade tomato soup contains:

• Calories: 210
• Total Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 4g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Potassium: 520mg
• Vitamin A: 25% DV
• Vitamin C: 35% DV
• Calcium: 8% DV
• Iron: 6% DV

This nutritional breakdown compares favorably to the restaurant version, particularly when considering sodium content. The homemade version typically contains about 30% less sodium than Panera’s original.

The soup derives most of its calories from the healthy fats in olive oil and cream. These fats help your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins present in tomatoes, particularly vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.

Tomatoes provide lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and reduced cancer risk. Cooking tomatoes actually increases lycopene bioavailability, making this soup nutritionally superior to raw tomatoes in this regard.

For those monitoring carbohydrates, this soup falls into the moderate range. The fiber content helps slow digestion and promotes feeling satisfied longer.

If you choose the dairy-free variation with coconut milk, expect slight changes in the nutritional profile—slightly higher in plant-based fats and lower in protein.

This nutritional information is approximate and will vary based on brands and portion size. For precise values based on your exact ingredients, use an online nutrition calculator or a trusted database such as the USDA FoodData Central.

FAQs

Copycat Panera Tomato Soup

Linda

This creamy copycat Panera tomato soup brings the cozy café favorite straight to your own kitchen. Made with crushed tomatoes, sautéed onions and garlic, fresh basil, and a splash of cream, it delivers that rich, velvety texture and balanced tomato flavor you love from Panera—perfect with a grilled cheese on sourdough for the ultimate comfort meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 6 bowls

Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Immersion blender or standard blender
• Ladle

Ingredients

  

Soup Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cans (28 ounces / 794g each) crushed tomatoes or about 3 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar optional, to balance acidity
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter soup
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes

• fresh basil leaves for topping
• croutons
• extra heavy cream for a swirl on top
• grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• Step 1 – Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds more, just until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
• Step 2 – Build flavor with tomatoes and broth: Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes until it darkens slightly and smells sweet and rich. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth, stirring to combine everything into a smooth base.
• Step 3 – Season and simmer: Stir in the chopped fresh basil, dried oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper, then add the optional sugar if your tomatoes taste very acidic. Bring the soup just to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the soup thickens slightly.
• Step 4 – Blend until velvety: Remove the pot from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot until completely smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, carefully blend the soup in batches, filling the jar no more than halfway and venting the lid with a kitchen towel to release steam.
• Step 5 – Finish with cream: Return the pureed soup to low heat, if needed. Slowly stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated. Simmer gently for another 5 minutes without boiling. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity.
• Step 6 – Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with a swirl of cream, fresh basil leaves, crunchy croutons, or grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with grilled cheese or crusty bread for a classic Panera-style meal.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream or stir in a splash of milk just before serving. If you prefer extra depth of flavor, roast fresh tomatoes and onions before adding them to the pot. Leftover soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 4–5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months—reheat gently over low heat and avoid boiling after adding cream.

Keyword copycat panera tomato soup, creamy tomato basil soup, panera tomato soup recipe, restaurant copycat soup

Conclusion & Call to Action

Making this copycat Panera tomato soup at home brings café-style comfort straight to your kitchen. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you get a bowl that’s just as creamy, cozy, and flavorful as the restaurant version—only you control the salt, cream, and quality of every ingredient.

Soup also gets even better the next day, so don’t hesitate to make a big batch for easy lunches or quick dinners. A pot of this tomato soup in the fridge means comfort food is always ready when a craving hits.

If you make this recipe, let me know in the comments how it turned out and whether you tried any of the variations. And if you love copycat comfort food, be sure to check out my copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup and creamy chicken wild rice soup they pair perfectly with this tomato soup for a cozy soup night at home.

Don’t forget to save or pin this recipe for chilly evenings or rainy days. Your future self (and your grilled cheese) will thank you.