Panera's Creamy Tomato Soup (copycat)

By KDCooks

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 5 tablespoons flour
• 3-4 cups milk ( I start with 3 cups then add to desired creaminess)
• 1/2 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups crushed tomatoes

Preparation

Step 1

Melt the Butter in a soup pot.

Add the onion and oregano, cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion is softened but not browned.

Sprinkle the flour over the butter mixture and continue to stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

Slowly add the milk, bay leaf, sugar, and salt and continue to cook and stir until slightly thickened.
Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes.

Add the tomatoes to the milk, and bring just to a simmer.

Season with Pepper.