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Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

Homemade Tomato Soup (Panera CopyCat; Instant Pot Friendly)

Published: September 8, 2021 | Last Modified: April 9, 2023 | by Marie with 14 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

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tomato soup in white bowl with croutons and pesto

Fresh homemade tomato soup is simple to make and comes together pretty easily. I love this soup because it has few ingredients but big flavor. Think savory, with a rich balanced bold flavor.

Chilly night? There is really nothing like homemade hot soup to warm the soul. I like to serve soup as a first course before dinner or with a big salad or favorite sandwich for lunch. It's even good enough alone as a small meal with some delicious fresh homemade bread.

I've always loved tomato soup. I remember eating it by the bowlful as a kid along with my grilled cheese. Such an American classic combination, isn't it? Don't you just love dunking the corner of that grilled cheese sandwich in a bowl of warm tomato soup?

Yes? Let's make some tomato soup!

Top view of tomato soup in white bowl with spoon and white napkin
Freshly homemade tomato soup with seasoned croutons and pesto

Ingredients

The main ingredients for this soup are pretty straightforward, no fancy ingredients: just tomatoes (fresh and/or canned), onions, garlic and spices. Milk or cream are completely optional.

tomato soup ingredients onion, tomatoes, oregano, salt, butter, olive oil, milk, garlic, salt
Tomato soup ingredients: onions, tomatoes (fresh and/or canned), milk/cream, olive oil, butter, garlic, salt, sugar, oregano, and red pepper flakes
  • Tomatoes (canned or fresh, or a combination)
  • Onion - lends a delicious sweetness, don't leave these out!
  • Garlic - just a small clove for a hint of flavor
  • Spices - salt, pepper, oregano and sugar to enhance sweetness (simple but effective!)
  • Milk or cream - lends a bit of creaminess (may be omitted)

Instructions

This soup comes together in about an hour or less, and most of the time is cooking time so I think it's pretty easy. It's also easy to "make ahead" and you can also freeze it provided you leave out the milk/cream (you can add it later when serving).

I like to make this on the stovetop if I'm going to be doing other things in the kitchen, OR you can easily make this in the Instant Pot for a more hands-off approach where you don't need to tend to the stove.

To start, you will add butter and olive oil to your pot and heat until it is melted. Then add your aromatics (ie, onions and garlic) and heat until the onion is translucent.

stirring melted butter and olive oil in pot
chopped onions and garlic in pot

After the onions soften a bit and become translucent, add your spices (salt, oregano, red pepper flakes) followed by the tomatoes and sugar.

Cover the pot and cook. On the stovetop, bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Using the Instant Pot, cook for 20 minutes using manual pressure and then do a quick release.

cooked onions with spices
tomato soup ingredients in InstantPot

After the mixture is finished cooking, puree the soup by either carefully pouring the mixture into a blender OR using an immersion blender (my preference, so easy!)

immersion blender in tomato soup
pouring milk into finish tomato soup

After the soup has been cooked and pureed, you can add optional toppings. I like to use seasoned croutons, pesto, or grated cheese.

What to Serve with Tomato Soup?

Tomato soup can be served alone as a small meal or snack but also goes great with the following:

  • Salads like this Italian Chopped Salad, a Greek salad, or even a Cobb salad.
  • Sandwiches (a simple grilled cheese or maybe a turkey burger?)
  • As a first course for a variety of dinners like chicken or pasta.
  • Big fresh loaf of bread!
tomato soup with spoon in white bowl
Tomato soup with croutons and pesto ready to eat!

Variations

Another reason I love this soup recipe is its really so versatile. In other words, it's a very easy soup to customize. Here are some ideas to change it up a bit:

  • Tomato rice soup - add some cooked brown or white rice to make it heartier
  • Spinach - add cooked or fresh spinach to easily increase the nutrition profile
  • Vegan - omit the milk and butter altogether or add unflavored almond or oat milk and use vegan butter or only olive oil
  • Spicy - add a pinch more of red pepper flakes
  • Toppings - pesto, seasoned croutons, fresh herbs, grated cheese

How to Make Seasoned Croutons

I really LOVE to add seasoned croutons to this soup. If you're short on time, you can always buy pre-made but the homemade stuff is just so much better.

Like the soup, the croutons are pretty simple to make and not complicated at all. I simply cube leftover bread (you'll need a sturdy bread like sourdough, Italian, or French bread; leftover is best as it's a bit dry) and toss in melted butter and oil (1:1 ratio) in a large pan on the stove.

top view of seasoned croutons in black pan
Freshly made seasoned croutons in black pan

Seasonings suggestions include salt (a must), pepper, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder, and/or onion powder. Use what you'd like but salt is pretty necessary.

Don't drench the croutons in oil/butter or they will take too long to toast up. My croutons come together in about 15 minutes or less. I like to raise the heat just enough to get the pan and ingredients hot and then reduce heat so that the croutons don't brown too quickly.

Storage

Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Soup may also be frozen for 4 to 6 months but dairy should not be added (add dairy just before serving).

More Soup Recipes...

  • Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • Easy and Hearty Beef Barley Soup
  • Red Lentil Soup with Lemon
  • Instant Pot Mushroom Barley Soup

📖 Recipe

top view of homemade copycat Panera tomato soup

Homemade Tomato Soup (Panera's CopyCat; Instant Pot friendly)

Fresh homemade tomato soup is few in ingredients but big on flavor and it comes together very quickly. This version is creamy, packed with flavor, and has just a tiny "kick" from a hint of red pepper.
5 from 2 votes
Author: Marie
Print Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cups
Calories 152 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (optional)
  • Blender or immersion blender

Ingredients
 

  • 3.5 pounds crushed and/OR whole tomatoes (diced with juices) two 28-ounces cans or fresh or mixed canned and fresh (need ~3.5 pounds total)
  • 1 cup sweet onions , sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic , smashed
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Optional for serving

  • croutons see notes to make homemade
  • pesto
  • grated cheese
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • In a large saute pan, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat and stir to combine.
  • Add onions and garlic and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes just until the onions have become translucent. Using Instant Pot, use the saute feature. Otherwise, on stovetop, heat over medium high heat.
  • After onions have become translucent, add tomatoes, sugar, salt, oregano, and red pepper and stir well.
  • Cover and heat over low heat for 1 hour on stovetop OR using manual pressure, cook for 20 minutes in Instant Pot.
  • Remove from heat, pour into blender and blend until smooth. If using Instant Pot, use manual release. Instead of blender, I like to use an immersion blender (ie, a stick blender)
  • Stir in milk or cream if using and serve.
  • Garnish with croutons, pesto, or grated cheese if desired

Notes

Use a high-quality brand of tomato (RedPack is one of my favorites but it's sometimes hard to find. Imported tomatoes or San Marzanos are very good)
To make seasoned croutons, cube pieces of a sturdy bread like Italian, French or sourdough. Toss into melted butter and olive oil (1 to 2 tablespoon of each) and add salt and pepper with optional dried herbs like parsley, basil, rosemary. You can also add garlic powder. Cook in a hot pan over medium low heat until browned, tossing intermittently. 
Storage: refrigerate leftovers for 2 to 3 days; freeze soup for up to 6 months (omit dairy if freezing).

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 482mgPotassium: 337mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 518IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
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About me...

Hello! My name is Marie, and I love to cook! I was born and raised in a Italian American community in Philadelphia. Many of my happiest memories were with my mother or father cooking happily in the kitchen and their passion definitely inspired me. I'd like to share my recipes for pizza, breads, Italian cakes and cookies, as well as other family favorites with you! Read More…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MJ says

    February 02, 2017 at 8:45 pm

    Wow..I just made this and it tastes EXACTLY like Panera's creamy tomato soup. Thank you! Will never have to go to panera again just to get this soup

    Reply
  2. Sandy says

    October 14, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    This soup was fantastic! I was looking for a copycat Panera tomato soup and this is it! and it is much healthier. I have tried two other copycat recipes and this one is much better. I used 10% cream for the cream as it was all I had and it worked well. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Cristina says

    April 21, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    Looks yummy!! I got to panera for lunch almost everyday and get it with the grilled cheese! I always get 2 bowls to go! If i keep doing that i think they might cut me off! Lol!

    Reply
    • Marie says

      April 21, 2014 at 4:06 pm

      I love Panera! I go really often too but haven't had the tomato soup in a while. If you try this version make sure to use good tomatoes (Muir Glen or San Marzano) as that's the secret to a good tomato soup:)

      Reply
  4. Jaclyn says

    December 30, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    Just made this soup! It's AMAZING!

    Reply
    • Marie says

      December 30, 2013 at 9:52 pm

      It's soup weather for sure! Glad u liked it.

      Reply
  5. Melanie says

    March 29, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Oh! This soup is delicious. I'm making it for the second time. We just love it!

    Reply
    • Marie says

      March 29, 2013 at 6:31 pm

      Thanks, Melanie! We love it too!

      Reply
  6. Jessica Gebbink says

    December 16, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    YES! I have been spending crazy amounts of money getting quarts of this soup to go from Panera and this tastes just like it! I roasted my garlic first and used about 4 roasted cloves. Then I used 1 28oz can whole marzano tomatoes, 1 pint fresh tomatoes, and 2 cups of frozen diced romas. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Marie says

      December 16, 2012 at 10:21 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. Your additions sound great - I love to hear how people tweak recipes to their liking.

      Reply
  7. Chris says

    December 05, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    That looks totally deliciously creamy!

    Reply
    • Marie says

      December 05, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      It is really good - hope you try it. if you do, make sure you use high-quality tomatoes. Makes a big difference.

      Reply
  8. Family Foodie says

    December 04, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    This looks fabulous! Your photography is amazing!

    Reply
    • Marie says

      December 04, 2012 at 10:32 pm

      Thanks, Isabel:) I'm having fun with the photography - so much to learn!

      Reply

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