Copycat Panera Tomato Soup

4.95 from 34 votes

Copycat Panera Bread Creamy Tomato Soup recipe that makes the creamy tomato soup just like is served at the restaurants!

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword Panera Tomato Soup, Tomato Bisque

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 200kcal

Author Robin Gagnon

½ tablespoon olive oil light or classic
½ medium yellow onion chopped
1 medium carrots chopped
1 celery rib chopped
3 cloves garlic finely minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
basil to taste
salt and pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons flour
3 ½ cups low sodium chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian version)
28 oz fire roasted tomatoes can, diced, drained (San Marzano tomatoes, are also a great choice or you can use 8 fresh tomatoes, diced)
¼ cup tomato paste
½ tbs sugar
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
hot sauce to taste (optional)
croutons optional
sour cream optional
parsley optional

Put olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
Once hot, add onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Stir to coat with oil, then add salt, pepper, and pepper flakes (a couple pinches of each). Stir frequently until the veggies are lightly browned.
Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir to evenly coat.
Pour in chicken stock.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, bay and sugar. Stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from burner and retrieve the bay leaves.
Pour the mixture to a blender till ¾ of the way full, and puree. Temporarily, pour puree into a bowl, while repeating the pureeing with remaining soup. (If you have an immersion blender, puree the soup right in the pot.)
Return all the pureed soup to the pan and stir in the cream and butter. Turn burner on to medium, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
Give the tomato bisque a final seasoning, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add in the basil (to taste).
To Serve: Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, croutons, and fresh chopped parsley or more basil.

For an authentic Panera experience, make homemade croutons from focaccia bread to serve with the soup.

Seal cooled copycat panera tomato soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.