There’s something magical about a bowl of creamy tomato soup that instantly transports you to comfort food heaven. This copycat version of Panera’s beloved Creamy Tomato Soup captures that same restaurant-quality flavor you crave, but you can make it right in your kitchen. Using canned tomatoes means you get consistent, delicious results every single time, regardless of the season.
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Panera creamy tomato soup
The secret to Panera’s signature taste lies in the perfect balance of acidity and creaminess. Using tomato puree creates a smooth base, while heavy cream provides richness without the risk of curdling when reheated. The touch of sugar balances the natural acidity of tomatoes, and the combination of basil and oregano adds that distinctive herbal note that makes this soup so memorable.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make Panera creamy tomato soup:
- Olive oil – Provides the cooking fat base and adds a subtle fruity flavor
- White onions – Creates a sweet, aromatic foundation for the soup
- Garlic – Adds depth and savory complexity to complement the tomatoes
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and brings out the natural tomato taste
- Black pepper – Provides gentle heat and aromatic spice
- Tomato puree – Forms the main base with concentrated tomato flavor
- Dried basil – Contributes classic Italian herb notes that pair perfectly with tomatoes
- Oregano – Adds earthy, slightly bitter herb complexity
- Vegetable stock – Provides savory depth while keeping the soup vegetarian
- Heavy cream – Creates the signature creamy texture and rich mouthfeel
- Sugar – Balances acidity and rounds out the overall flavor profile
How to Make Panera Tomato Soup
- Add olive oil, chopped white onion, and salt in a large pot over medium heat on the stovetop.
- Sauté until onions are transparent.
- Add chopped garlic and sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add tomato puree, basil, oregano, vegetable stock, and heavy cream.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 12 minutes.
- Taste and if the soup is too acidic, add sugar. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Puree soup with either an immersion blender or in a blender.
Perfect Toppings for Creamy Tomato Soup
- Shavings of Parmesan cheese
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich Croutons
- Buttery Croutons
- Popcorn
- Fresh Basil shavings
- Shredded Cheddar cheese
- A dollop of sour cream
Storage & Reheating Instructions for Leftovers
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container
- Reheating Method: Reheat gently over low heat, whisking frequently. Add a splash of cream or stock if needed to restore consistency
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months, though the texture may change slightly after thawing
Love Panera Bread? Be sure to try these copycat recipes
- Panera Mediterranean Salad
- Panera Black Bean Soup
- Autumn Soup Recipe
- Onion Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Popular Soup Recipes
- Senate Bean Soup
- Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Creamy Onion Soup
- Cowboy Soup
- Ultimate Potato Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Chili Verde
Be sure to check out more of my easy soup recipes and the best Panera copycat recipes.
Easy Copycat Panera Bread Tomato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped white onions
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 58 ounces tomato puree 4 – 14.5 ounce cans
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 14.5 ounces vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, over medium heat add olive oil and add chopped white onion. Sprinkle 1/2 salt teaspoon on top. Saute until onions are transparent.
- Add chopped garlic and saute until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add tomato puree, basil, oregano, vegetable stock, and heavy cream. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taste, and if the soup is too acidic add sugar. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Puree soup with either an immersion blender or by carefully pureeing soup in a blender.
Hey. I just want to inquire about the recipe calling for tomato puree? Each picture I have seen shows what appears to be whole canned plum tomatoes? Does that merely mean we need to puree them prior to use? Or do I actually purchase tomato puree? Thanks and sorry if I just missed the notes on this! Otherwise, the dish looks fresh and delicious!
Either would work well, pureeing canned tomatoes, or buying tomato puree. I don’t always find tomato puree available.
What could be a sub for the cream Not good for our heart. Doctor orders
I am sorry you didn’t find this a good recipe because I recommended heavy cream. I don’t know exactly what your doctor suggested, so I would suggest a plant based milk with some fat, The soup needs a bit of fat for mouth feel, a plant based fat should be healthier for you than an animal based fat.
The list of ingredients is available on Panera’s web site, so why would anyone publish a copycat recipe with different ingredients? The reason I like Panera’s tomato soup, and don’t like La Madeline’s, is because Panera does not use basil. There is no vegetable broth in the Panera list of ingredients. There is celery seed and red pepper. Every supposed copycat recipe I’ve found on the internet uses basil. I guess I’ll just have to find a store that sells this soup
I believe this happened because Panera reformated their soups a few years back, my recipe was developed from the original one that they served.
Delicious as is, followed the recipe exactly. I left it chunky and it was awesome! Will definitely make again. Do you think this would freeze okay?
I think the cream part of the soup could break down a little.
Easily reheat cream soups slowly in a double boiler on the stove top. Never fails to work well for me.
This is amazing! I just made this tonight for the first time and was blown away at how great this is. It’s so fresh and tastes so similar (probably even better) than panera!! Thank you for a great recipe. I’m definitely saving this to make again 🙂
How is this soup reheating the next day
I think this works ok if you heat it on the stove on low. I would not reheat this in the microwave.
Love the tomato soup. Have made it 3 times since the first of February
and am making again today. It is not a heavy soup, has just the right amount of cream.
YOU NAILED IT.
Have made this soup 3 times since the first of February.
I do not mean to sound ignorant but how is this vegetarian if it has cream? And how many servings does this make?
I thought soups were vegetarian if they contained no meat but dairy was ok. My understanding is vegan means no meat, no dairy, and perhaps no honey.
You’re correct. This is completely vegetarian. There are different layers of being vegetarian but the normally idea of it is just no meat but dairy is perfectly fine!
What are grilled cheese croutons tho??
You can make a grilled cheese sandwich, and cut it into bited-sized pieces and those become grilled cheese croutons.
this and a grilled cheese is the bomb.
Yea it is the bomb. i will have to buy a immersion blender though I am on Atkins and I can have this.
If you wanted to leave the onion bits whole you could do that. I can work past this, maybe you can too 😉 Or if you have a blender you could use that.