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Craving a cozy bowl of creamy tomato soup that tastes even better than Panera’s? This easy homemade version delivers.

This creamy tomato soup recipe is cozy, wholesome, and incredibly simple. Made with simple ingredients like olive oil, whole tomatoes, garlic cloves, fresh herbs, and heavy cream, it brings restaurant-quality flavor to your own kitchen without the fancy ingredients or high price tag.

This is the real deal – a better-than copycat of Panera that your whole family will love. Pair it with a crispy grilled cheese sandwich and you’ve got a classic combo that beats fast food any day.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Tomato Soup

Easy and fast: Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.
Rich and creamy: The heavy cream makes it smooth and indulgent.
Flavorful base: It’s packed with fresh herbs, garlic cloves, and a hint of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Better than takeout: This isn’t just a copycat Panera tomato soup recipe – it’s definitely an upgrade.
Healthy-ish: No preservatives, no additives – just real food with minimal grams of sugar.

Tools You’ll Need

Large soup pot or stock pot – A Dutch oven works well too.
Immersion blender – Essential for that smooth consistency and smooth texture.
Cutting board and knife – For chopping your yellow onion, garlic, and fresh basil.

Pro tip: Don’t use an immersion blender directly in a nonstick pan! You can damage both the coating and the blade. Opt for a large pot, Dutch oven, or stainless steel stock pan for best results.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained
1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth) – I make my chicken broth using Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Optional: parmesan cheese and/or croutons for serving

Directions for Making Creamy Tomato Soup

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the chopped yellow onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add the minced garlic cloves. Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Stir in the whole tomatoes with their juices, breaking up the tomatoes with your hands or spoon.
Add the chicken broth, fresh basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This builds a flavorful base.
Take off the heat and use your immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Be careful – it’s hot!
Stir in the heavy cream.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and croutons, if desired.

Storage Tips

Store leftover tomato soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, use freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat on the stove top over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Variations and Add-Ons

Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste for a deeper tomato flavor.
Use San Marzano tomatoes or Roma tomatoes for a sweeter base.
Swap chicken broth for vegetable stock to make it vegetarian.
Add parmesan croutons when serving for extra crunch and added texture.
Try it with a caprese sandwich or just plain warm bread.

Why I Love My Immersion Blender

The immersion blender is one of the best tools for making homemade soup. It blends everything right in the pot, reducing cleanup and saving time. If you’ve ever made soup in a traditional blender, you know the hassle. Transferring hot soup? Not fun.

I highly recommend this affordable immersion blender that works like a charm and handles thick homemade tomato soups like a pro. It’s also great for homemade mayonnaise and dressings!

Remember: never use an immersion blender on a nonstick pan as the blade can damage the coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes? Yes! Use peeled Roma tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes for best flavor. Roast them first for extra depth.
Is this soup vegan? Not as written, but you can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. It will result in a different flavor, but still delicious.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil? Yes. Use 2 teaspoons dried basil in place of the fresh basil.
How do I make this a thicker soup? Simmer longer to reduce the liquid or stir in 1–2 tablespoons of tomato paste for a thicker texture.
What’s the best way to serve this to kids? Serve warm with grilled cheese dippers or sprinkle a little shredded parmesan cheese on top.
Can I make this dairy-free? Yes. Substitute full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream for the heavy cream.
Is this soup gluten-free? Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your broth for any added starches.
Can I prep this ahead for the week? Definitely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It reheats well and arguably tastes even better the next day.
Does this freeze well? Yes. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring to freezer bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I add protein to make it a full meal? Sure! Add shredded chicken, white beans, or cooked lentils for a heartier dish.
Can I double this recipe? Absolutely. Just use a large pot or Dutch oven to ensure even cooking.
Can I make this in the Instant Pot? Yes. Sauté the onion and garlic on sauté mode. Then pressure cook everything and stir in heavy cream at the end.
How do I lower the sugar? Use less sugar or skip it entirely if your tomatoes are sweet enough.
What’s the best bread to serve with this soup? We love it with parmesan croutons, sourdough, grilled cheese, or crusty dinner rolls.

This delicious soup is the perfect comfort food recipe. It’s cozy, easy, and comes together with simple ingredients. Whether it’s your first time making a copycat Panera Bread tomato soup, or you’re a seasoned soup maker, this recipe is for you.

Skip the fast food, make this copycat recipe at home, and impress your whole family with your kitchen skills.

Looking for more delicious recipes? Bookmark this one, and try it again next time you want something warm, creamy, and nourishing.

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