Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Panera Bread Copycat Recipe)
Like Panera Bread’s broccoli cheddar soup? Try our easy copycat recipe!
Cooler weather means layering up in a cozy sweater and filling your belly with all your favorite comfort foods! For my family, this time of year means lots of hearty soups for lunch and dinner.
One of my all-time favorite soups is broccoli cheddar, and Panera Bread has an awesome version! This copycat recipe is so creamy and delicious, and it tastes so much like the restaurant version.
Making this soup at home not only saves money, but it’s also really easy with these simple ingredients.
Eating keto? We also have a low carb version of this Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe on Hip2Keto.com!
Tips for making this Panera Bread copycat broccoli cheddar soup:
- To keep the texture of your soup smooth and creamy, I suggest shredding your own sharp cheddar cheese. It melts so much creamier and smoother. Pre-shredded can work in a pinch but can sometimes add a grainy texture to soups because of the additives.
- I used an immersion hand blender for a few seconds to puree this soup a bit, but that is definitely optional if you prefer a chunkier texture. You could also blend half of it using a blender.
- Bread bowls are an optional but awesome addition to this recipe! I was able to buy some yummy sourdough bread bowls at my local grocery store in the bakery department. You can also actually buy bread bowls at Panera Bread too, or make your own!
- Consider grabbing Rhodes frozen bread dough and then using it to bake inexpensive bread bowls. For just around $2, you can make 4-6 bread bowls, and it could not be easier! Making your own freshly-baked bread bowls is the perfect complement to this hearty soup, plus there’s no better smell in the world than bread baking in your own kitchen, right?!
- Store any leftovers you may have in the fridge for up to 3 day. This soup is really yummy reheated the next day! Although I have not personally tried it with this soup, it can be frozen for up to 3 months in a sealed container or bag.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Panera Copycat Recipe)
yield: 4 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
cook time: 30 MINUTES
total time: 40 MINUTES
This Broccoli Cheddar Soup copycat recipe is so creamy and delicious just like the Panera restaurant version!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon and 1/4 cup butter, separated
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/2 lb. fresh broccoli florets (about 3 cups, chopped)
- 1 large carrot, thinly grated (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups (1 pint) half & half
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 bread bowls for serving (optional)
Directions
1
Heat a large pot on the stove to medium heat. Sauté onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter until soft & browned. Transfer and set aside in a small dish.
2
In the same pot as before, melt 1/4 cup butter and whisk in flour over medium heat until smooth. Then whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
3
Add the broccoli, carrots, and sautéed onions. Reduce heat to low, and add in the half & half and milk.
4
Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat for about 20-25 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
5
Optional Step: Remove from heat and use a hand blender to puree a little. If you prefer your soup chunky, then leave as is.
6
Return to low heat, add cheese to melt, and stir. Taste and add more salt/pepper if desired. Serve in bowls or small bread bowls.
Additional Notes
Adapted from Food.com.
There’s something special about a warm bowl of creamy soup on a cold day, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint!
It’s still great even if you skip the bread bowl. You could instead pair your broccoli cheddar soup with a salad and some crusty bread. It’s a complete meal and the perfect comforting choice for a chilly day! This soup is always a hit with my family, and I hope yours will love it, too.
Make your own cream of chicken soup with this easy 10-minute kitchen hack!
So excited for fall, y’all. Thanks for the yummy recipe. 😎
Looks great… but I will also need the recipe for a really good bread bowl to go with it!
I have tried a few recipes for the bread bowl but nothing was as good as Panera. I love the squash soup but hubby loves their broccoli cheddar. Sam’s has one in the fridge section it was pretty good.
I just made this yesterday. It was delicious and my son who loves broccoli just loved it! I added some cut up chicken and next time I plan on adding some potatoes that are already cooked after I blend some of the broccoli with my immersion blender. That would make it such a filling dinner app with a freshly baked roll!
I’m officially hungry. Thanks, Betty! That does sound super good! Thanks for sharing the idea of items to add! YUM!
Anyone know the weight watchers points for this?
Grew up on soup.But this is my favorite.
Yum! This is a good one I agree 👌🙌
Just have to say this is an amazing recipe. Make it with fat free half and half, and skim milk to cut back on day and calories. I’m making it for my parents tonight. Not so great reheated, so only make one recipe and see if it’s enough for your family.
Oh thanks so much Linda for adding your feedback!
I am going to make this soup for dinner tomorrow. It’s going to be chilly here in MD & will definately get me “brownie points” from hubby!!
Yum! Enjoy!
I’m curious about why the broccoli needs to be fresh. I always keep frozen broccoli on hand. Would frozen work too?
You could also use frozen broccoli, Amy! You’ll just want to cook until it’s tender so you may need to adjust the cook time just a bit. Hope this helps! 🤗