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!
I left out the butter and still delish
So glad to hear it!
my favorite soup. this was soooo good. I had some specialty pumpkin spice hot sauce from a local farmers market that I added. it is amazing. perfect recipe.
So glad you enjoy it! Thank you for leaving a review! Pumpkin spice hot sauce sounds really yummy!
great soup
don’t change anything in the recipe, perfect as written
Thanks so much!
I’ve made this three times now. Once vegan. It’s great each time. This time I did add a bit more brown sugar and skipped the cream. Delish
So glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing a photo.
I’ve made this many times because my wife really likes butternut squash soup, me not so much until I tried this recipe. If you don’t like butternut squash soup or are on the fence about it, give this a try, it is really quite good. It is smooth, creamy, and very tasty.
So glad you like it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Can’t wait to try this! Do you peel the butternut squash before chopping?
Yes!
Hi, when the veggies are done boiling, do i get reid of the broth or blend it all up?
Blend it all together to form the soup!
Best ever! Rich, complex flavors. Not too sweet. The LUSCIOUS TEXTURE is what really takes this over the top! And the texture doesn’t degrade for leftovers as in other soups.Everything about this recipe is spot on!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Delish! Tastes just like Panera! I added a dash of cayenne pepper for a little extra kick.
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing a photo!
Tastes like apple cider soup
Apple cider or apple cider vinegar? Apple cider has a mild, sweet apple taste. If you used apple cider vinegar, it would have a strong and unpleasant vinegar taste.
I agree completely! I might try using less apple cider next time.
Apple cider or apple cider vinegar? Apple cider has a mild, sweet apple taste. If you used apple cider vinegar, it would have a strong and unpleasant vinegar taste.
Way too much apple cider in the recipe (I did not add apple cider vinegar). Also needs to be creamier. I will try again with less cider and the heavy whipping cream (which I think is a must in order to get the right consistency).
Thank you for your feedback. This is a healthier version, and the cream definitely makes it taste more like the restaurant version, as stated in the recipe notes.