This Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is so creamy and delicious, you’ll want to make it time and time again.
Do you like Panera Bread? I have to admit I was never a big fan and hadn’t been there in a while, but my son likes their tomato soup. So, last week when he was on Spring break, I took him to Panera Bread for lunch as a special treat. I was pleasantly surprised to find a few new additions to their menu, including a brothy Lentil Quinoa Bowl served with a Cage-Free Egg which I tried. My son of course got the Creamy Tomato Basil Soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. That’s just pure comfort food.
I took a taste of his soup and tried to figure out what was in it. It was sweet and creamy, and had garlic and onion notes. So, when I got home I decided I would try to recreate this favorite soup for my son. Panera actually has a recipe for their fresh tomato soup online, so I used that to start off with, and made a few modifications to turn it into a creamy soup and make it gluten-free as well. The first batch wasn’t quite as sweet as Panera’s and I didn’t want to add anymore sugar, so I tossed in a carrot the next time I made it.
This soup came in handy because my son had his braces tightened and his teeth were killing him. He couldn’t chew a thing, so having a pureed soup to eat was just the cure. This Creamy Tomato Basil soup was so good, my son devoured the first batch I made in one day (I made half a batch the first time). So, when we had one of his friends over for lunch the next day, I made a full batch, with enough leftovers to last another day.
Have you eaten at Panera’s? If so, what’s your favorite thing to order?
Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon organic butter
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 carrot chopped
- 1 tablespoon sweet rice flour
- 6 cups or 4 cans 15 ounces each diced organic tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon organic sugar
- 4 leaves fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- pinch of ground cayenne
- 1/2 cup organic heavy cream
- Garnish:
- fresh basil leaves julienned
Instructions
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Heat oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrot; saute until soft, but do not brown. Stir in flour and cook another minute. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes. Stir in cream. Transfer to a blender and puree (you will probably have to do this in two batches). Garnish with julienned basil leaves and serve.
This is my husband’s favorite Panera soup, always ordered with a grilled cheese sandwich, of course!
Funny, how the combination of tomato soup and grilled cheese just never gets old. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how good Panera’s soup was.
When I had gum surgery, tomato soup was my best friend – your son is fortunate to have a wonderful mom like you who can whip up a big batch of this ah-mazing take on tomato soup! This sounds wonderful, Jeanette!
You poor thing – not fun when you can’t eat. Hopefully, my son will remember this tomato soup when he’s older 😉
So creamy and tasty. I like that you use sweet rice flour to thicken it up.
Thanks Angie – yes, I’ve found sweet rice flour works well in place of flour to help thicken soups and sauces.
What is sweet rice powder? Where can I buy it?
Hi Nata, sweet rice powder can be found at Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find it, you can try substituting another thickener. The only reason I used sweet rice powder was to make this gluten-free. Regular flour can be used.
Tomato Basil soup is one of my all time favorites! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe…there’s something about tomato soup that is so comforting 😀
I couldn’t agree more Jenny – there’s something nostalgic about tomato soup 🙂
I lived on soup when I had my braces too and tomato soup was always so comforting. It’s been a while since we’ve been to Panera so I can’t wait to try yours 🙂 It looks so creamy and delicious!
So funny, I can’t remember what I ate when I had braces, but I’m sure I must have eaten a lot of soup too. I hope you like this recipe Kelly.
Jeanette, my kids love Panera Bread too. . for the chicken noodle soup, baked potato and black bean soup. we also love their bread . . obviously 😛 I always order a salad and sandwich but love tomato soup so will definitely give your recipe a try!!