Who doesn’t love this Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup Recipe that you can make in minutes in the Instant Pot? I love everything Panera, and they have some of the best soups; today, on a cold December day, I made my family a batch in less than 10 minutes, thanks to my pressure cooker!
If you’re craving that smooth, comforting Panera tomato soup without leaving the house, this Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup hits the spot.
It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with that classic tomato flavor you want for grilled cheese dunking, rainy days, or lazy weeknight dinners.
Best part?
The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, so you get big café-style flavor with hardly any effort, and way cheaper than takeout.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- It tastes just like Panera’s tomato soup, minus the long line and high price.
- The Instant Pot does the work, so dinner feels almost too easy.
- Smooth, creamy texture that’s perfect for grilled cheese dunking.
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it great for meal prep or cozy lunches.
Panera Tomato Soup Ingredients
- Oil: Use olive oil or extra virgin olive oil
- Vegetables: Onions
- Butter: Use unsalted butter
- Tomatoes: Use Crushed Tomatoes, Whole Tomatoes, or Diced Tomatoes
- Broth: Use vegetable broth to keep this soup vegan!
- Heavy Cream: Used to thicken the soup
- Seasonings and Spices: Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Granulated Sugar, Fresh Basil, and Hot Sauce (for some spice)
How To Make Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup Recipe
Step One: Add the olive oil to your Instant Pot and press the saute button. Allow the oil to heat up for about 30 seconds, and then add your diced onions. Saute for about 2-3 minutes or until the onions are softened.
Step Two: Fold in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, granulated sugar, basil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, and broth. Use your wooden spoon to mix well; this will allow you to get any of the onions that are sticking on the bottom to be removed. Otherwise, you may get a BURN notice.
Step Three: Add the Instant Pot Lid, and set manual high pressure for 5 minutes. When cooking is done, allow the Instant Pot to release naturally.
Step Four: When the pressure is all released, remove the lid, and add the butter, heavy cream, and hot sauce.
Step Five: Use a blender or immersion blender to smooth the soup. You can also use a potato masher if you don’t have either.
Step Six: Serve with Croutons, Shaved Parmesan Chees, or Fresh Herbs.
Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup Recipe Tips
- Invest in high-quality ingredients: One of the most critical things in this soup is using high-quality canned tomatoes and broth. Because of their superior quality, this will ensure that your soup has the best possible flavor and color.
- Immersion Blender: One of the best tools for making homemade tomato soup in the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is an Immersion Blender. You can find one on Amazon for under $40. It’s a great tool to have on hand.
Storing Instructions
Let the soup cool completely before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup Recipe Faqs
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned? Yes, you can. Use about 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes, chopped. The flavor will be lighter and less concentrated, so you may need extra seasoning or a pinch of sugar.
Does this soup taste like Panera’s tomato soup? It’s very close. The creamy texture and slightly sweet tomato flavor hit the same notes, without the restaurant price tag.
Can I make this dairy-free? Absolutely. Swap the cream for coconut milk or a plain, unsweetened dairy-free creamer. The soup will still be smooth and rich.
Is this soup freezer-friendly? Yes. Let it cool fully, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat slowly and stir well before serving.
Do I need an immersion blender? It helps, but it’s not required. A regular blender works fine. Just blend in batches and be careful with hot liquid.
Can I double the recipe in the Instant Pot? You can, as long as you don’t go past the max fill line. Cooking time stays the same.
How do I thicken the soup if it’s too thin?Use the sauté function for a few minutes after blending, or stir in a little extra cream or tomato paste.
What should I serve with this soup? Grilled cheese is the obvious answer. Crusty bread, garlic toast, or a simple salad work great too.
Serving Suggestions
Tomato soup is often enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner but can also be served as a starter. This versatile soup works well with garnishes, including air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, air fryer croutons, and crisp air fryer bacon. You can also use it as an ingredient to make other dishes like pasta sauces and soups.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- INSTANT POT BLUEBERRY CAKE
- INSTANT POT SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP
- EASY INSTANT POT BLT PASTA SALAD
- INSTANT POT PEPPERMINT MOCHA COFFEE CREAMER
- INSTANT POT DUTCH OVEN BOLOGNESE SAUCE
If you’re looking for a delicious, hearty soup that will warm you up on a cold day, this Panera Creamy Tomato Soup copycat recipe is definitely worth trying. It’s easy to make and tastes like the real thing. So go ahead and give it a try!
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Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, or whole tomatoes
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup basil leaves, fresh
- 3 tablespoon butter, unsalted
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon hot sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to your Instant Pot and press the saute button. Allow the oil to heat up for about 30 seconds, and then add your diced onions. Saute for about 2-3 minutes or until the onions are softened.
- Fold in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, granulated sugar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, basil, and broth. Use your wooden spoon to mix well; this will allow you to get any of the onions that are sticking on the bottom to be removed. Otherwise, you may get a BURN notice.
- Add the Instant Pot Lid, and set manual high pressure for 5 minutes. When cooking is done, allow the Instant Pot to release naturally.
- When the pressure is all released, remove the lid and add the butter, heavy cream, and hot sauce.
- Use a blender or immersion blender to smooth the soup. You can also use a potato masher if you don't have either.
- Serve with Croutons, Shaved Parmesan Chees, or Fresh Herbs.
Equipment
- Instant Pot, or Ninja Foodi
- Immersion Blender, or Regular Blender
Nutrition
Share this recipe
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PJ
I don’t have an instant pot, so how can I convert this to the stove top or a crockpot?
Rebecca
Is it possible to sub olive oil for the butter or cashew milk for the heavy cream? Trying to reduce dairy 😉
Laurie Fleming
Yes, I often use almond milk, so cashew milk would be the same, I don’t recommend olive oil
Ryan
Laurie, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if I want to cook any recipe I always check Laurie’s Fork To Spoon website because 99% of the time, she’s created that recipe.
This was the easiest and less messy Instant Pot tomato soup I’ve made since getting an Instant Pot 12 years ago. I followed the instructions and it looked and tasted exactly like Panera’s tomato soup. I wanted a few chunks of tomatoes so I smashed some against the pot sides. After adding the cream I let the pot sit for 20 minutes and that was enough time to thicken it without having to make a slurry. Tonight will be the fifth time making this because everyone asks for it. Delicious.