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Copycat Panera Potato Soup

Copycat Panera potato soup made with tender russet potatoes, immersion-blended for a thick, silky base with rustic chunks. Finished with cream cheese, heavy cream, and cheddar for a rich, spoon-thick texture and classic toppings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup base
  • 3 lb russet potatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 4 cup chicken broth
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
Creamy sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.75 cup sour cream
  • 1.5 cup shredded white cheddar or sharp cheddar
Seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp white pepper
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder
Toppings
  • 1 bacon bits
  • 0.5 cup extra cheddar
  • 2 tbsp chives

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Sauté aromatics
  1. Melt unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer potatoes
  1. Add chicken broth and russet potatoes to the pot, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very tender.
Blend and make creamy
  1. Use an immersion blender to blend most of the soup until smooth, leaving some potato chunks for texture.
  2. Stir in cream cheese until completely smooth. Add heavy cream and sour cream, stirring to combine.
  3. Stir in shredded white cheddar or sharp cheddar until melted. Season with salt, white pepper, and garlic powder.
Serve
  1. Ladle the potato soup into bowls and top each serving with bacon bits, extra cheddar, and chives.

Notes

Pro tip: after blending, simmer for 3–5 minutes on low to re-thicken if the soup seems thin. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months for best texture after reheating. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheddar slightly so the soup stays creamy without feeling as heavy.