This Copycat Panera Squash Soup tastes just like the original, but I made it a bit healthier!
Remember last week when I was talking about my homemade mild curry powder and I said I really truly made it for this soup? Well, here it is!
We were at a church event not too long ago and my pastor’s wife asked me if I had a squash soup recipe on my site. I said yes I have a creamy butternut squash soup with smoked paprika, and a really old post about squash soup with sage. But she was looking specifically for a copycat Panera squash soup.
I don’t blame her – it is delicious!
I made efforts to reduce the calorie content a bit while still keeping the flavors rich and slightly indulgent. I think I found a good balance, but if you’re looking for an exact replica, feel free to add more butter, cream, and sugar.
If you read the recipe closely, you’ll see this squash soup also contains carrots and pumpkin. They give it extra sweetness and depth of flavor. If you don’t have pumpkin or don’t want to add pumpkin, just use a little less vegetable broth. Remember you can always add more at the end to make it thinner but it’s more difficult to make it thicker.
I’d recommend using carrots with the squash because they really do add great natural sweetness, and they help achieve the beautiful color of the soup. Plus, Panera squash soup also has carrots in it.
I garnished my Copycat Panera Squash Soup recipe with roasted pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds). Their crunch and color add a nice contrast, don’t you think? You could also garnish it with chopped, fresh herbs like sage or parsley, or homemade croutons.
Important note: This soup calls for two cups of apple cider, NOT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. If you can’t find apple cider (sometimes it’s hard to find if it’s not fall), use a natural (100% juice) apple juice. If you use vinegar by accident, your soup will NOT turn out and will definitely NOT taste like Panera’s.
PS: This isn’t my first rodeo with making a Panera copycat – make sure to check out my Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese! People LOVE it!
Copycat Panera Squash Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about ¾ cup)
- 2 pounds chopped butternut squash (about 6 heaping cups)
- 3 small carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3-4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups apple cider or apple juice (do NOT use apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash of nutmeg
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces low-fat (neufchatel) cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, more to taste
- salt to taste
- heavy cream, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute until translucent, stirring frequently.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 small yellow onion, diced
- Add squash, carrots, vegetable broth, apple cider, and spices.2 pounds chopped butternut squash , 3 small carrots, chopped, 3-4 cups vegetable broth, 2 cups apple cider or apple juice, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of nutmeg
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until squash and carrots are soft. Remove from heat and add pumpkin puree, butter, cream cheese and brown sugar. Puree with a hand (stick) blender or in batches in a normal blender. Blend until very smooth.1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 ounces low-fat (neufchatel) cream cheese, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, more to taste
- Taste soup and add salt as desired. You may also add extra brown sugar or honey to achieve a taste closer that of Panera’s. You can also add a little heavy cream if you want a more decadent soup. If desired, add more vegetable broth to thin soup.salt to taste, heavy cream, optional
- Return to burner over medium-low heat, if needed to heat the soup back up, and then serve immediately.
Notes
- If you want it to be just like Panera squash soup – add more brown sugar and/or honey to taste. Adding more cream will also give it a richer flavor.
- This soup calls for two cups of apple cider, NOT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. If you can’t find apple cider (sometimes it’s hard to find if it’s not fall), use a natural (100% juice) apple juice. If you use vinegar by accident, your soup will NOT turn out and will definitely NOT taste like Panera’s.
- To reduce sodium, use low sodium or no salt added vegetable broth.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
During this CORVID 19 quarantine, I’ve been exploring some new receipts and this was one of them. I made this yesterday it was super easy! I’ll admit I NEVER follow a receipt to the “t” and this was no exception but I really enjoyed it. I added a little more cream cheese and apple juice and did not add the cumin.
I enjoyed using the butternut squash in the soup. It was the first time I’ve ever cut up a butternut squash. Not bad for trying something new. I froze it and will be using this as one of my postpartum meals after I have this baby girl in a week or so.
So glad to hear you liked this one! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, and CONGRATS on the baby! Best wishes! :)
Hi Rachel,
No idea what happened, but mine tasted nothing like Panera’s :(
I’m obsessed with their squash soup so was so excited to try this.
Followed directions exactly and it’s WAY too sweet and apple-y. The only cider my store had was spiced cider, could this be the difference?
Thanks,
Vicki
The spiced apple cider is probably what made the difference, I imagine that changed the flavor quite a bit.
This is fabulous! I did add a little cream and some extra vegetable broth but other than that followed Rachel’s recipe, It’s very good and very close to Panera’s.
I’m so glad to hear you liked it! A little cream is never a bad idea. ;) Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Definitely needs to be sweeter to taste like Panera ‘s. Made a big mess in my kitchen and I have a lot of ingredients leftover that I’ll never use again. Considering costs and Panera soup on sale at grocery store, I won’t make this again.
I do mention in the recipe that if you want a closer taste to Panera’s, to add more sugar. However, I like the option to make it a little healthier and lower in sugar.
I have made about four copycat autumn squash recipes and this is by far the closest one to Panera… the author nailed it when she said just add more brown sugar. I added about 4 tablespoons altogether and other than that, followed the recipe to a t. I am so happy to finally be able to make my favorite soup at home. Delicious!
Ahhh this comment made me so happy! I’m so glad you like it!
Such a wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you like it!
This tastes AMAZING! And it’s not as much work as I thought. My question is, does this freeze well?
Yes! It freezes very well. I’m glad you like it!
I am completely obsessed with this soup recipe! I have made it 4 times in 2 months and just can’t get enough. My mom grows butternut squash in her garden and I effectively depleted her entire fall supply with this soup recipe! She and I are already planning next summer growing varieties for the garden so I can keep making this soup.
I honestly feel like this recipe is BETTER than Panera’s soup. The flavor is amazing. I blend my in my Vitamix – I think the texture is perfection this way. Thank you!!!
I’m so thrilled that you like this soup so much! And I’m a little jealous of that butternut squash supply you have access to – how awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! I agree – a high speed blender like a Vitamix achieves a texture that an immersion blender can’t really come close to. I’m usually just too lazy to haul mine out. ;)
I have made this soup many times and I love it! I make it exactly as your directions state and it comes out great every time. It tastes very much like Panera’s autumn squash soup. I use my Blendtech rather than an immersion blender. I think it comes out more smooth. Thanks for a yummy recipe!!
I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Pretty good soup. I would add more brown sugar next time to make it sweeter.
Thanks! You can definitely add more sugar to taste.