******* BREAKING NEWS: I have been so overwhelmed at the response to this post and all the people who have told me that they LOVE this recipe because it is so easy & delicious so I decided to start an Instagram account (like today) dedicated to bringing you simple recipes that can be made quickly with only a few ingredients! I would love for you follow me there! Find me on IG as @easyfamilyrecipes*******
So if you have been reading The Pinning Mama for any length of time, you probably know that we L-O-V-E Panera! They have so many really yummy things. What we love even better though, is cracking the code to make their super yummy food at home. As a matter of fact, our all time biggest post has been our Panera Chocolate Chip Cookie Copycat, and we also have a delicious Double Chocolate Chip Muffie Top Copycat. Today though, is epic. I am sharing one of my all time Panera favorites, a copycat recipe for their Creamy Tomato Basil Soup.
With winter STILL in full force around the country, I think it is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a piping hot bowl of creamy tomato basil soup. And Panera’s is fabulous. It is rich and thick. It is smooth and creamy. It is pretty much the tomato soup lover’s heaven!
The absolute best part about this soup is that it is extremely easy to make. You do not have to spend days laboring in your kitchen peeling tomatoes and chopping garlic. As a matter of fact, you can make one quick trip to the store and then whip this soup up in about 15 minutes right on your very own stove top! That’s my favorite kind of recipe, the kind that tastes like it took hours, days, years, to make, but really it was super easy!
So after your trip to the store, the rest is easy! Combine your tomatoes, broth, and garlic in a pot and let boil for 10 minutes. This recipe is perfect for our crock pot chicken broth! The can of diced tomatoes give it the same chunky texture that they serve at Panera. If you prefer a smooth texture you can use two cans of crushed tomatoes instead of one of each. Also, in a pinch I have used a can of whole tomatoes that I crushed with a fork and then added.
Next, turn the heat down to low and stir in the sugar and butter, stirring until everything has melted and dissolved and is well mixed.
After it is combined, stir in your chopped basil. You can use more or less depending on size but 15-20 leaves is a good estimate of what I use.
The next step needs to be done very carefully and takes either a little bit of coordination or a little bit of help. Pour in your heavy cream extremely slowly with one hand while mixing continuously with the other. By pouring it slowly while mixing you allow it to fully combine and achieve a really creamy and wonderful soup. If you get excited and just pour in all of the cream at once, it can separate and make a not horrible, but definitely not as wonderful texture. Trust me… do it slowly, it is worth the wait!
Now, if you are a freezer cooking junkie {which I am,} then you will be thrilled to know that this recipe freezes beautifully. I often double the recipe so I can freeze an entire batch! Just prepare the soup as directed, let cool, and then put into a tupperware or gallon sized bag or two and freeze. To reheat, place in a pot over medium until warmed through on the stove top, or my favorite way, just microwave for 6-10 minutes stirring each minute until heated through.
As promised! Quick and easy! And if you serve this with a big fat grilled cheese sandwich, you might just make all the worries in the world disappear. At least for as long as lunch lasts! This is one of my all time favorite recipes and I hope will be one of yours too! Make sure and check out all of our other tasty recipes here and follow us on Facebook and Pinterest to keep up with all of the new and super delicious recipes we post!
If you like this soup then you will love this Creamy Lemon Chicken soup recipe. It is just asquick and easy and every bit as delicious.
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Hover over "serves" value to reveal recipe scaler
Ingredients
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp crushed garlic
- 1 14 oz can chicken broth {or 2 cups}
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 15-20 Basil leaves chopped
Instructions
Combine the tomatoes, broth, and garlic bring to a boil and let boil for 10 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sugar and butter and mix until they are dissolved, melted and well combined.
Very slowly pour in the heavy cream while simultaneously stirring until all the cream is combined and the soup is creamy.
Stir in the basil.
I like to serve it hot garnished with a dollop of pesto and freshly grated parmesan cheese!
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
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FAQs
Detailed Ingredients
Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Puree, Citric Acid), Water, Heavy Cream, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Spices), Corn Starch, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic and Nisin Preparation.
What is Panera tomato soup made of? ›
Detailed Ingredients
Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Puree, Citric Acid), Water, Heavy Cream, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Spices), Corn Starch, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic and Nisin Preparation.
What's the difference between creamy tomato soup and tomato soup? ›
But what about cream of tomato soup? Any “cream of” soup, tomato included, is pureed like a normal soup but then goes through a “creaming” process, wherein cream is added to the mixture. Cream of tomato soup is actually cooked at a much lower temperature than normal tomato soup.
Is Panera Bread tomato soup healthy? ›
The Creamy Tomato Soup provides 8 grams of saturated fat—62% of the American Heart Association's daily recommendation. And since just 1 gram of fiber and 4 grams of protein are all this soup has to offer, it's not a very balanced choice.
Does Panera Bread tomato soup have milk? ›
Contains Milk, Wheat
Indicates that the sodium (salt) content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit (2,300 mg).
Does Panera tomato soup have cream in it? ›
Panera Creamy Tomato Soup delivers a bakery-cafe inspired favorite in a microwavable cup that you can take with you on-the-go. This gluten free soup is made with vine-ripened tomatoes pureed with fresh cream, butter and spices for velvety smooth flavor.
Does Panera make their own soup? ›
That Soup Isn't Made In-House
It may taste homemade, but that Panera soup wasn't actually prepared by the workers at your local shop. "The soups are made at a factory/plant/etc., flash-frozen, shipped to us, and we thaw it out in what's called a thermalizer, essentially a soup-thawer," says one former employee.
What is the difference between tomato basil soup and tomato bisque? ›
What is the difference between tomato soup and Tomato Bisque? Tomato soup is usually made with either vegetable or chicken stock. Tomato bisque is made by adding cream or whole milk. The dairy is what makes it thicker and creamier, which gives it the defining traits of a bisque.
Why do you put milk in tomato soup? ›
This addition helps make the soup feel more comforting. Adding milk or cream to a soup can balance contrasting tastes and help ingredients that don't typically mesh blend seamlessly. Plus, the extra calories in milk or cream can make for a more filling soup served solo and without any accompanying sides.
What can I substitute for heavy cream in tomato soup? ›
To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.
10 Unhealthiest Panera Menu Items, According to Dietitians
- Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt.
- Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT on Rustic Sourdough Bread.
- Vanilla Cinnamon Roll.
- Frozen Caramel Cold Brew.
- Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Flatbread.
- Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl.
- Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, & Cheese on an Asiago Bagel.
- Brownie.
Tomato soup is often high in sodium. Sodium is essential for our bodies, but too much of it can lead to high blood pressure, an increased risk of heart disease, and stroke.
Is Panera Bread healthier than McDonald's? ›
A new study has found that meals served at fast-casual restaurants such as Panera Bread Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which are often perceived as healthier options, contain more calories than meals at fast-food restaurants like McDonald's.
Why does my milk always curdle in tomato soup? ›
Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes, or even wine can cause your milk to curdle. Prevent this reaction by reducing your acids first before adding dairy. Remember this tip when making creamy adobo, tomato soup, or a citrusy cream-based pasta.
How much sugar is in Panera tomato soup? ›
Nutrition & Allergens
| Nutrition Information | Value |
|---|
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Total Sugars | 17 g |
7 more rowsCreamy tomato
Many tomato soups teeter on the verge of being too salty, too acidic, or too watery. Panera's creamy tomato soup was none of those things. In fact, it was wonderful: a smooth, addictive blend of rich tomato flavor and garlic spices.
What does tomato soup contain? ›
Traditional tomato soup
A simple tomato soup can be prepared simply with ingredients such as canned tomatoes/tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, vegetable broth or chicken broth and for the flavouring butter, salt and pepper or if required sugar can be used.
Does Panera use artificial ingredients? ›
Our Food Beliefs serve as a compass, helping us provide meals that are delicious, and made with high-quality, select ingredients. Clean Foods - Clean simply means we don't fill our pantry with the artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors from artificial sources that are listed on our No No List.
Is Panera Bread tomato soup dairy free? ›
Heads Up! All of the creamy and cheesy soups at Panera do contain milk in the base soup.
