Hello Friend,

Can we talk about Panera for a second?

I love them. I really do. But $15 for a bowl of soup? When I can make the exact same thing at home for around $3? That's where I have to draw the line — and that's exactly why CopyKat exists.

This week, I'm sharing some of my favorite recipes that'll save you serious money without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Starting with the one everyone always asks me about.

Heads up: some links in this email are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something — at no cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and use in my own kitchen. Thank you for supporting CopyKat!

🥣 This Week’s Money-Saving Recipes

​Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup ⭐ Thick, creamy, loaded with tender broccoli and sharp cheddar — this is the one. My copycat recipe tastes just like the real thing and costs a fraction of what you’d pay at the restaurant. Make a big pot on Sunday, and you’ve got lunch covered all week. Your wallet will thank you.

​Panera Mac and Cheese Panera’s mac and cheese has a cult following for a reason — that creamy, velvety sauce is something special. Now you can make it at home in about 20 minutes, and it pairs perfectly with a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. Comfort food at its finest.

​Panera Steak & White Cheddar Panini Tender sliced steak, sharp white cheddar, and that perfectly toasted bread — this panini is one of Panera’s most-loved menu items, and it’s surprisingly easy to pull off at home. Make it for lunch alongside the soup, and you’ve got a full restaurant-quality meal for practically nothing.

​Panera Mediterranean Grain Bowl Feeling a little lighter? This grain bowl is fresh, filling, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel good while you’re eating it — and even better when you realize you made it yourself for a few dollars instead of $13 at the counter.

​Panera Lemon Drop Cookies End on a sweet note with these soft, citrusy cookies. They’re bright, a little tangy, and completely irresistible — the perfect little treat to round out your Panera-at-home spread.

💡 A Little Savings Math: A full Panera order for two — soup, panini, grain bowl, mac, and cookies — can easily run $50–$60. Make it all at home with these recipes? You’re looking at well under $15. That’s a date night dinner for the price of one bowl of soup.

🛒 Tools That Make These Recipes Even Easier

A few of my kitchen favorites that pair perfectly with this week's recipes — these are the tools I actually use and love.

​Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven — This is my go-to for soups, stews, and cheesy sauces. It heats evenly, cleans up beautifully, and looks gorgeous on the table. If you're going to make the broccoli cheddar soup (and you should!), this is the pot to use.

​Immersion Blender — No transferring boiling soup to a blender and hoping for the best. Just stick this right in the pot and blend to your perfect consistency. A total game-changer for creamy soups.

​Cuisinart Panini Press — You simply cannot get that golden, crispy crust on a panini without one of these. It doubles as a grill for chicken, veggies, and more — one of the most-used tools in my kitchen.

That’s the magic of cooking at home, and why I’ve been making copycat recipes for over 30 years. Restaurant flavor, real-life budget.