Panera Creamy Tomato Soup
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 6 servings
Panera’s creamy tomato soup is the soup that goes with everything. It’s the default choice when you order a bread bowl, the natural pairing for their grilled cheese, and the reason people keep coming back to Panera even when they tell themselves they’re going to try something new. It’s smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced between the natural sweetness of tomatoes and a gentle tanginess.
The secret is San Marzano tomatoes. These Italian plum tomatoes are sweeter, less acidic, and have more flesh than regular canned tomatoes. They’re the difference between a tomato soup that tastes bright and smooth versus one that tastes tinny and sharp.
Tomato Soup Excellence
- San Marzano tomatoes are worth it. They cost a dollar or two more than regular canned tomatoes, but the flavor difference is dramatic. They’re naturally sweeter and less acidic, which means you need less sugar to balance the soup.
- A tablespoon of sugar isn’t sweet. It’s there to counteract the natural acidity of tomatoes, not to make the soup sweet. Without it, the soup tastes sharp and one-note.
- Blend thoroughly. Panera’s version is silky smooth with zero chunks. Blend longer than you think you need to. Any remaining pieces of tomato or onion break the texture.
Panera Pricing
A bowl of tomato soup at Panera costs about $7-8, or $9-10 in a bread bowl. This recipe makes six bowls for about $8 total — roughly $1.33 per serving. Pair it with a homemade grilled cheese for a complete Panera-style lunch under $3.
More Panera Bread Copycat Recipes
- Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup — the richer, creamier sibling; whole broccoli florets in a sharp cheddar base.
- Panera Mac and Cheese — white cheddar stovetop mac that pairs with the tomato soup as the classic Panera soup-and-mac lunch.
- Panera Bread Bowl — the round sourdough loaf made for holding tomato soup; it absorbs the base without going soggy.
See all Panera Bread copycat recipes →
