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I promise that with just one bite of this copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup, you’ll be hooked! It’s ultra creamy with broccoli, shredded carrots, and a hint of nutmeg, all cooked together with melted cheese. This soup is delicious and easy to make!
A Reader’s Review
This recipe is AWESOME!!! Love this soup, easy to make, follow recipe exactly and it comes out perfect! Is better than Panera!!
Why This Soup Is Even Better Than Panera
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Every spoonful tastes just like Panera. The perfect balance of cheese, broccoli, and a velvety cream base.
- Cozy and Comforting: Made all in one pot with simple ingredients, and ready in just 30 minutes.
- Picky Eater Approved: This soup is a tried and true classic that I can always count on my family to love!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredients
- Cream Substitute: Swap half-and-half with heavy cream for a thicker soup or whole milk for a lighter one.
- Shred Cheese from the Block: Skip pre-shredded. Freshly shredded cheese melts smoothly, giving a silky, lump-free texture.
- Broccoli: I use fresh broccoli, but if you use frozen, cook it in the microwave first, then add it once the veggies are done sauteing.
- Nutmeg: Start small ⅛ teaspoon, then taste and add more, ⅛ teaspoon at a time.
- Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken to make it vegetarian. Flavor stays rich and savory.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour or a cornstarch slurry instead of all-purpose flour for the roux.
- Add Some Heat: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a little kick.
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This broccoli cheese soup comes together super easily, and it’s a great meal to make ahead of time and eat for lunch or dinner. Few things beat a warm bowl of soup, homemade rolls, and a crisp salad on a cold day.
- Make a Roux: Sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon of melted butter and set aside. In a large pot, stir the melted butter and flour over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes.
- Whisk: Slowly whisk in half and half of the chicken stock. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Add the broccoli, carrots, and onions. Let them simmer on medium-low for about 25 minutes until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
- Add Seasonings and Cheese: Add nutmeg, salt, pepper, and sharp cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt, and then serve. For a smoother broccoli cheddar soup, puree it with an immersion blender.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Nutmeg: I list ½ teaspoon of nutmeg in the recipe, but start small ( ⅛ teaspoon) and add more to taste. Nutmeg can sneak up on you. If you’re sensitive to it, even a little too much can take over the flavor.
Broccoli Cheese Soup Slow Cooker Instructions
- Make a Roux: Whisk together the flour and butter to make a roux.
- Combine: Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker, but leave out the cheese and milk.
- Cook: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Add in Dairy Ingredients: About 20 minutes before the soup is done, add in the milk and cheese to the slow cooker. Cook everything together for about 20 minutes. It’s ready to serve when the cheese is all melted.
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Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium white onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté 1/2 medium white onion, in 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and set aside. In a large pot, whisk together the melted 1/4 cup unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup all purpose flour over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in 3 cups half-and-half and 3 cups chicken stock. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, 1 cup carrots,and sautéed onions. Let them simmer on medium-low for about 25 minutes until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, and 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese,. Let the cheese melt, and then serve. For a smoother soup, you can puree the soup.
Video
Notes
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- In the refrigerator: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- In the freezer: Once cooled, pour the soup into a labeled ziplock bag and lay it flat in the freezer. It keeps well for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Warm the soup in a saucepan over low to medium heat for 4–5 minutes, or microwave in 1–2 minute increments, stirring between each until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Delicious Soups To Try
Quick question. Only one cup of broccoli?
Thanks.
Yes!
This soup is so delicious, like a warm hug❤️!
this soup was sooo good didnt have carrots or half and half used whole milk instead still tasted good Thanks for sharing yummy. This is whats for dinner tonight.
This soup is delicious!! I had difficulty swallowing for several months and lived on this soup every day during that time. I’m so thankful I found your recipe because it’s the best!!
Turned out great. The only thing I did differently was to add bacon. Yum!
Definitely will add this to the rotation.
What could I use in place of cream or whole milk? Would canned evaporated milk or coconut milk work?
I just made a similar soup and used a can of evaporated milk. It came out delicious. I think I’m going to do the same with this recipe.
This is our go to soup. Its so comforting and easy to make! Thank you!
We made this last Saturday afternoon and had a salad with it. Very good soup recipe. We loved it. We are making it again this afternoon and adding some chicken to it.
The only thing that would make it better imo is pouring it over cornbread. I love cornbread & soup or beans!
Great soup. We doubled it and left it chunky. Added a pinch of red pepper flakes and garlic powder. Otherwise recipe as written is perfect!
Great soup it’s my go to when I don’t have a lot of time. I do food prep for a restaurant and double the recipe their is never any left the next day. So easy and not much prep, after I put the chicken broth and half and half in I add the broccoli and bring to a boil then turn it down and let simmer for 20 minutes or so until tender then remove for the heat and add the cheese until melted.
My favorite soup, thanks so much for this recipe ❤️
Absolutely the best copycat recipe for the Panera version of this soup. For my taste I had to add a good bit of freshly ground pepper as well as salt.
my family loved this soup very easy to make cant wait to make it again
I doubled the recipe. Yes, it really is a wonderful soup. Sourdough bread bowl and the pull-out pieces around the edge of the plate for dipping. I served a little honey-butter on the side to entice guests to eat the rest of the sourdough bowl as a dessert of sorts with hot coffee. Marvelous, !!!
Absolutely divine. Everyone said this was better than paneras. I doubled it, and we had some for the freezer. I had half and half, so this is what I used. There is a very slight change to the texture after freezing, but the flavor was still just as incredible. This is my new go to recipe now, and the only thing I might do differently next time is to add about 2 ounces of velveeta. It really adds a great flavor.
This is so delicious. I hate paying the high price for soups that I can make myself. I doubled the recipe and froze about half of it. The texture is slightly different after freezing, maybe slightly grainy, but does not affect the flavor at all. My 6 year old grand daughter was licking her bowl last night. Now, I need to make more. I made just as directed, but next time may add about 2 oz of velveeta processed cheese to the finished product.