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Last updated: 2026-06-22

Panera Bread Copycat Recipes: Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Mac & Cheese, Bread Bowls and More

There's a special kind of satisfaction in recreating a restaurant favorite at home — partly the money saved, partly the smug joy of nailing it. Panera's most-loved items happen to be very doable in a home kitchen, and this guide rounds up copycat-style recipes for the dishes people most want to make: broccoli cheddar soup, mac and cheese, bread bowls, breakfast soufflés, sourdough, tomato basil bread, and a couple of the smoothies.

These are inspired-by, made-from-scratch home recipes — not Panera's actual proprietary formulas. They aim for the same comforting flavor and texture using normal grocery-store ingredients. Adjust seasoning to taste; that's half the fun.

Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup (the famous one)

This is the dish most people want to clone, and the good news is it's straightforward. The keys to that signature Panera texture are a proper roux, finely chopped broccoli, and shredded sharp cheddar melted in off the heat.

Serves about 4

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer soup)
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned or grated
  • 2.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Method

  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 4–5 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes to cook out the raw taste — this is your roux.
  3. Slowly whisk in the milk, then the broth, keeping it smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer; it will thicken.
  4. Add the broccoli and carrots. Simmer 15–20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cheddar a handful at a time until melted and smooth — don't let it boil, or it can turn grainy.
  6. Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. For a smoother soup, blend part of it; for a chunkier one, leave as is.

Serve in a bowl — or, for the full experience, a homemade bread bowl (recipe below).

Copycat Mac & Cheese

Panera's mac and cheese is creamy and mild, leaning on a smooth cheese sauce rather than a baked crust.

Serves about 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb small pasta shells
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2.5 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded white cheddar
  • 1/2 cup shredded American or mild cheese (for melt and creaminess)
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for depth)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. Cook the pasta to al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, melt the butter, whisk in the flour, and cook 1–2 minutes.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer until slightly thickened.
  4. Lower the heat and stir in the cheeses until smooth. Add the mustard, salt, and pepper.
  5. Fold in the pasta and serve immediately — it's best fresh and saucy.

Copycat Bread Bowls

A homemade bread bowl turns soup night into an event. This is a basic crusty round you hollow out.

Makes about 4 bowls

Ingredients

  • 3.5 cups bread flour
  • 1 packet (2.25 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1.5 cups warm water
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

  1. Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water; let it foam for 5–10 minutes.
  2. Mix in the flour, salt, and oil to form a dough. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  4. Punch down, divide into 4, shape into tight rounds, and place on a lined baking sheet. Let rise 30–40 minutes.
  5. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding when tapped. Cool.
  6. Slice off the top and hollow out the center, leaving a thick wall. Fill with soup and serve.

Copycat Breakfast Egg Soufflé

Panera's flaky breakfast soufflés use a puff-pastry shell around a soft egg filling. This home version uses store-bought puff pastry for ease.

Makes about 6

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk or cream
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheese
  • Add-ins: cooked bacon, ham, spinach, or sautéed veggies
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin.
  2. Cut the puff pastry into squares and press one into each muffin cup, letting the corners stick up.
  3. Whisk the eggs, milk, cheese, add-ins, salt, and pepper.
  4. Pour the egg mixture into each pastry cup, about three-quarters full. Brush exposed pastry with egg wash.
  5. Bake 20–25 minutes until puffed, set, and golden. Cool a few minutes before removing.

Copycat Sourdough Bread

True sourdough needs a starter and patience, but the payoff is that tangy, chewy loaf.

Quick framework

  • Maintain an active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly).
  • Mix starter, flour, water, and salt; rest (autolyse), then do a series of stretch-and-folds over several hours.
  • Bulk ferment until risen and airy, shape, then cold-proof in the fridge overnight for flavor.
  • Bake in a preheated Dutch oven at around 450–475°F — covered first for steam, then uncovered to brown the crust.

Sourdough rewards practice; your second loaf is always better than your first.

Copycat Tomato Basil Bread

Panera's tomato basil bread is a soft loaf with a sweet, tomato-flecked crumb (the iconic version has a streusel-like top). At home, work tomato paste/sun-dried tomatoes and dried basil into a basic enriched white-bread dough, then bake as a loaf. Expect a soft, slightly sweet, herby result rather than an exact match to the bakery's signature top.

Copycat Smoothies

Mango smoothie: Blend frozen mango, a splash of orange or pineapple juice, a spoonful of yogurt, and ice until smooth. Sweeten to taste.

Strawberry-banana smoothie: Blend frozen strawberries, a ripe banana, yogurt or milk, and a little honey. Add ice for thickness.

Tips for getting closer to the real thing

  • Cheese matters most. For the soup and mac, shred your own cheese — pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that hurt the melt.
  • Don't boil cheese sauces. Add cheese off the boil to keep them silky.
  • Season in layers and taste as you go; Panera's flavors are comforting and balanced, not aggressive.

The bottom line

Panera's most-requested dishes are very home-friendly: the broccoli cheddar soup and mac and cheese come together in under an hour, bread bowls and soufflés are weekend-fun projects, and sourdough is the long game for bread nerds. None of these are Panera's exact recipes — they're from-scratch copycats designed to deliver the same cozy result in your own kitchen. Make them once, tweak the seasoning to your taste, and you'll have your own version dialed in.