PANERA>AT>HOME. That’s it. That’s the post.
These recipes are everything you love about your go-to lunch spot, made easy. You’re gonna go nuts for these.
1. Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
I have to tell you, chicken salad is one of those things I get a major craving for. You know, tender chicken, creamy mayonnaise, and a little bit of onion? It’s a classic sandwich filling.
But this version is playing in a whole different league! The dressing is just unreal, made with mayo, honey, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and rosemary. Then you get toasted almonds and grapes mixed in.
Those sweet and crunchy little additions are everything. You’re going to need some seriously sturdy bread because you’ll want to pile this one high!
2. Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup
Let’s talk about the amazing potato. I’m convinced it’s the most versatile vegetable on the planet. And in this soup, it’s pretty close to addicting. Plus, it’s so inexpensive to make!
This recipe gets its incredible flavor from a chicken base, which is a more concentrated form of chicken stock that’s just brimming with flavor.
I’m all about texture in my soup, so I usually mash about half of the potatoes and keep the other half in diced little bits.
3. Copycat Panera Squash Soup
With squash, carrot, and pumpkin all in one bowl, this soup just has to be good for you, right? Taking a look at the ingredients, it’s definitely one of the most flavorful and healthy options here.
You can totally keep it vegan by leaving out the butter and cream cheese. Or, if you want to make it extra luscious, a little heavy cream would be amazing. I think some coconut cream would also be a perfect middle ground.
4. Strawberry Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing
I am a huge fan of adding fruit to my salads. It just brightens up the whole bowl and adds a pop of sweetness that goes so well with salty meat or a savory dressing.
This recipe actually brings in blueberries, too, which makes it extra fruity. And the pecans add such a fantastic crunch.
The poppy seeds give the dressing a really unique flavor, and those little black flecks look so good. But if you can’t find them, it’s okay to leave them out.
5. Panera Bread Cobblestone Muffins
These muffins are a whole experience. They’ve got a cinnamon-raisin and spiced apple filling, a streusel top, and a little drizzle of icing.
If you’re going to treat yourself to a muffin to start the day, this should be the one. It’s packed with flavor and is definitely filling enough to keep you going until lunch.
These are made with a yeast dough, so they’re kind of like a cinnamon roll. You’ll just need to plan ahead to give the dough time to rise.
6. Ham & Cheese Breakfast Soufflé
Okay, this meaty version of the crescent roll soufflé is so worth a try. That salty ham with all the melty cheese is just a perfect way to start your day, and it’s so simple to put together.
I love using this recipe as a base because it’s so easy to switch things up. I’ve made it with caramelized onions and garlic, and another time I used some leftover rotisserie chicken and rosemary. YUM.
7. Watermelon Mint Salad
I’ll be honest, this one isn’t my number one favorite. But I know it’s a super popular choice, so I had to include it! This simple summer salad comes together in just 20 minutes.
Besides the mint, you probably have all the ingredients you need right now. I’ve actually used this dressing on other salads because it’s so easy.
I like to use honey instead of sugar, and sometimes I’ll add a pinch of chili flakes for a little bit of heat.
8. Panera Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
The first time I tried this, my mind was blown. It’s such a wonderfully different way to do your morning bagel. If you have a few extra minutes, don’t skip toasting the walnuts.
It really brings out their nutty flavor. After that, you just blend the other ingredients until they’re smooth and then stir in your chopped nuts. So easy!
9. Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
For me, fall means two things: all things pumpkin spice, and chili! The second I feel a chill in the air, I’m pulling out my slow cooker for the first chili of the season.
Chili is just so versatile, and I love using turkey because it’s a little bit healthier. I usually follow this recipe pretty closely, but sometimes I’ll add in chunks of pumpkin or squash for extra color and substance.
10. Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
I am all about white mac and cheese. It just looks so much more appetizing than the orange kind, and you just know the cheese flavor is going to be big. Plus, when I add bacon on top, it really pops against that lighter sauce!
The secret to the best cheese sauce is to get good quality cheese and grate it yourself. The pre-shredded stuff has a coating that keeps it from getting clumpy, which also stops it from melting into a perfectly smooth sauce.
11. Panera’s Thai Chicken Salad
This salad is spicy, crunchy, and totally loaded with good stuff. The Thai chili vinaigrette and spicy peanut sauce are so good, they’re reason enough to make this.
I’m a big fan of the edamame in here; it doesn’t get enough love! I always make sure to add the sliced mango for a fresh pop. If you want to kick the flavor up a notch, make a little extra vinaigrette and let the chicken marinate in it for a few hours before you grill it.
12. Baja Grain Bowls
If you’re a fan of burrito bowls, this one is for you. The combination of quinoa and rice gives it a great texture contrast, plus some bonus protein.
The zesty dressing is just perfect with the mix of tomatoes, corn, and beans. You can also keep it vegetarian-friendly by not adding any meat on top.
13. Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé
Did you just tense up at the word ‘soufflé?’ It’s true, it’s not something you can just whip up whenever you feel like it. But honestly, this is less of a traditional soufflé and more of a baked egg pastry, kind of like a quiche.
No need to whip any egg whites here! Just use some store-bought crescent rolls for the crust and pour the filling right in. I like using smaller, shallow dishes for these, but a bigger pie plate will work if that’s what you have.
14. Panera Creamy Tomato Soup Copycat Recipe
I could probably eat soup every single day. Seriously. I once had a job at a bakery that had two different soups each day, and it was heaven!
The problem I have with canned tomato soup is that it can taste too acidic. That’s why I always make this Panera version at home. I like to use vine-ripened tomatoes and roast them with the onion and garlic first.
The flavor it adds will blow your mind. And I know the sugar might seem like a weird ingredient, but it helps balance everything. You’ll definitely notice if it’s missing.
15. Copycat Panera Wild Blueberry Muffins
It’s so great that you can use frozen blueberries for this recipe. But if you have fresh ones, definitely use those!
These muffins turn out so big and tender, with a super moist crumb and pops of blueberry in every single bite. You can leave off the sugar on top, but I just love the crunch it gives to the soft muffin.
16. Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Before I made this, I was a little worried it would be like eating a bowl of queso or dipping a spoon straight into a fondue pot. I have never been so happy to be wrong.
Yes, the soup is thick, and the cheese flavor is definitely strong (as it should be!), but it all just works. The combination with carrot, broccoli, and chicken stock makes it such a satisfying bowl of soup.
I love to mix and match my cheeses to get a slightly different flavor each time. The last time I made it, I used a mature cheddar and something smoky, which gave the soup a completely new taste.
17. Instant Pot Panera 10 Vegetable Soup
One thing is for sure: this soup is packed with nutrients. It has peppers, corn, carrots, peas, onion, celery, spinach, and barley, and it’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Of course, you can always adjust the veggies to whatever you like. And maybe use a little less garlic if you’re not a huge fan. The recipe calls for eight cloves!
18. Panera Bread Bistro French Onion Soup
Just like potato soup, this is another one of those humble dishes that’s inexpensive but so, so good. The base is just onion and beef broth, which might sound a little plain, but it really packs a punch of flavor.
The beefy taste is a super important part of this soup. If you want to make it vegetarian-friendly, you can use vegetable stock, but just know it won’t have the same deep, rich flavor.
Make your own croutons by baking some leftover bread. I also highly recommend using the cheeses the recipe suggests. They melt so well and add an amazing taste you won’t get from a mild cheddar.
19. Copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad
As someone who isn’t always in the mood for salad, I find myself ordering this one a lot at Panera. It’s filled with so many delicious ingredients and is super satisfying.
The pickled red onions add some sweet and sour notes that go perfectly with the chicken, bacon, avocado, boiled egg, tomatoes, feta, and green goddess dressing.
If you don’t feel like pickling the red onions, you can just add them raw for a great peppery crunch.
