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Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheese soup, is creamy, rich, full of flavor, andย fresh broccoli florets. This easyย copycat recipeย will have your family begging for seconds!ย 

Copycat Panera broccoli cheese soup in a bowl with garlic bread.


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Thisย Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soupย is easy to make at home like my ย Copycat In N Out Burger,ย Starbucks Banana Bread.ย Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with broccoli. It comes together fast which makes it perfect for a busy weeknight meal served with some of myย Ciabatta Garlic Bread.

Why this recipe works

Homemadeย copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soupย is cheaper to make and tastes just as good, if not, BETTER! This hearty soup with itsย cheesy goodnessย is ready in only 40 minutes- not hours on the stove. Creamy soupย like this is pureย comfort foodย that theย whole familyย can't get enough of. Hearty warm soups like thisย great soupย are perfect for a blustery,ย cold day!

Ingredients Needed

All the ingredients for this broccoli cheese soup.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter
  • Four: Allย purpose flour
  • Vegetables: onions, diced carrots, celery, andย fresh broccoli florets
  • Garlic cloves: Fresh minced.
  • Chicken stock: adds a nice depth of flavor and can be swapped forย vegetable brothย orย veggie stock, if needed.
  • Dairy: I useย whole milkย andย heavy cream
  • Spices: nutmeg, salt, andย black pepper
  • Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese


How to Make Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheese Soup

Butter melted in a dutch oven then veggies added in.
  • Step 1: In aย large pot, melt butter overย medium heat.ย 
  • Step 2: Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until soft.ย 
Veggies and flour stirred together in a dutch oven. The liquids poured in.
  • Step 3: Next, add flour to the pot and whisk.
  • Step 4: Then add theย chicken stock, milk, andย heavy cream. Use a wooden spoon to stir.
Broccoli, and spices and stock added into the pot followed by the cheese.
  • Step 5: Add in broccoli and nutmeg. Cook and stir.ย 
  • Step 6: Toss the shredded cheese into the pot, stir until cheese melts.ย 
A ladle picking up a serving of copycat Panera broccoli cheese soup.

Recipe Tips

  • I useย whole milkย andย heavy cream, but you could use half and half if you want.
  • Always shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain potato starch and don't melt as nicely.
  • I chop my broccoli in tiny florets, but if you like them larger go for it.
  • You can serve this in aย bread bowlย like you'd get at the restaurant if desired. Buy aย bread bowlย from the store, or make your own, cut the top crust and remove the center to create a well for the soup to be added in. Use the removed bread to dip in the soup.ย 
  • Serve thisย homemade broccoli cheddar soupย with someย crusty breadย likeย Ciabatta Garlic Bread, breadsticks, or some homemadeย Artisan Bread.
A bowl of copycat Panera soup with a spoon taking some out.

Recipe Faq's

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Fresh is always best, so if you have access to fresh broccoli that should be your first choice. But you can use frozen in a pinch.

What kind of cheese melts best in soup?

When it comes to melting cheese into soup, the best kind of cheese to use is cheddar. Cheddar melts easily and gives a nice flavor to the soup. You just want to make sure it's shredded straight from the block and notย pre-shredded cheese, since pre-shredded cheeses contain potato starch which can affect the melting process.

How to store this soup

Just like your otherย favorite soups, wait until this has cooled down before storing any leftovers. Transferย leftover broccoli cheddar soup
ย to anย airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.ย 

Can I freeze broccoli cheese soup?

If you want to keep thisย Panera's Broccoli Cheddar soup for longer than 5 days, you can freeze it for up to a month.ย Once the soup has cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or lay it flat in the freezer to help save space. You can useย freezer-safe containers as well. Theย best way to reheatย leftover soup is on theย stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Stir often. You may need to add a little milk orย heavy cream depending on the consistency.ย 

A bowl of copycat Panera soup.

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

4.48 from 172 votes
Written By: Wendie
Creamy, cheesy and loaded with broccoli. It comes together fast which makes it perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 625

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups broccoli florets cut small
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add in onions, celery, carrots, and garlic cook to soften about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk in flour and cook another 30 seconds.
  • Add in chicken stock, milk, heavy cream, and broccoli and whisk until combined. Simmer on medium-low until thickened about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Once thickened turn off the heat and add in the cheese and nutmeg. Whisk until melted and smooth.
  • Let stand for 5-10 minutes to cool and the soup will thicken more.
  • Serve with crispy bread slices or crackers.

Video

Notes

I useย whole milkย andย heavy cream, but you could use half and half if you want.
Always shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain potato starch and don't melt as nicely.
Serve thisย homemade broccoli cheddar soupย with someย crusty breadย likeย Ciabatta Garlic Bread, breadsticks, or some homemadeย Artisan Bread.
You can freeze any leftovers in freezable containers if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ServingsCalories: 625kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 31gFat: 68gSaturated Fat: 40gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 201mgSodium: 715mgPotassium: 715mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 5387IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 835mgIron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course Soup
Cuisine American
4.48 from 172 votes (171 ratings without comment)

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14 Comments

  1. I made this tonight and it was delicious! I didnโ€™t have heavy cream, so I just increase the milk by a cup. Thank you!