There’s nothing better than fall comfort food, from a warm bowl of soup to hearty baked mac and cheese to a stack of classic buttermilk pancakes. Although I tend to make these meals more often than not, I still order them from time to time when dining out at a restaurant. But I always wish the portions were just a little bit bigger so I could have leftovers to enjoy at home.
Luckily, Panera Bread has the perfect solution. You can order two of the chain’s most comforting (and my absolute favorite) menu items in bulk. But you won’t find these on the regular menu.
How To Order Panera’s Group-Sized Soup
Panera Bread
Panera’s Mac & Cheese and signature soups, such as the iconic Broccoli Cheddar, are arguably the best items on the menu. And while the options are usually served in a cup or a bread bowl, you can get these in a secret XL size. In fact, you order by the bucket—just like Olive Garden and Wendy’s.
Here’s the trick: Order from Panera’s catering menu. Here you can purchase mega meals of Mac & Cheese and Bacon Mac & Cheese, as well as the following soups and chili:
- Broccoli Cheddar
- Black Bean
- Homestyle Chicken Noodle
- Creamy Tomato
- Autumn Squash
- Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice
- Hearty Fireside Chili
- Bistro French Onion
Pricing starts at around $25 for four servings. And that does include four pieces of Panera’s French baguette. (Although you can customize and sub apples, chips, or fruit cups.) You can also adjust servings and order for larger groups. Need dozens of servings of Panera’s Creamy Tomato Soup? You can order it. And each bucket comes with a little ladle to boot!
For context, one serving of Mac & Cheese or a bowl of soup can cost anywhere from $7.99 to $11.69 at the restaurant. So, even if you’re not ordering for a group and just want lots of leftovers for yourself, this hack is a great way to save money at Panera.
You can order Panera catering items online—either for delivery or pickup at your nearest location. If you’re looking for an easy way to meal prep for the week ahead, feed guests coming to stay for the holidays, or keep a stash in the freezer for easy meal options, you can’t go wrong with ordering these favorites by the bucket.
