Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This copycat Panera Bread broccoli cheddar soup is velvety, rich, and loaded with tender broccoli florets and sharp cheddar cheese in every spoonful. It is the ultimate comfort food that comes together in under 40 minutes and tastes indistinguishable from the bakery cafe original.
Thick and creamy broccoli cheddar soup that matches Panera Bread perfectly.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Vegetables
Cheese
Base
Instructions
Saute the Vegetables
Melt butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and grated carrot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1 more minute to form a light roux.
Build the Soup Base
Slowly whisk in half and half and chicken broth, a little at a time, to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the base begins to thicken slightly.
Add Broccoli and Simmer
Add the chopped broccoli florets to the pot and simmer for 15 minutes until the broccoli is very tender. For a texture closer to Panera, use an immersion blender to partially blend about a third of the soup leaving chunky pieces throughout.
Melt in the Cheese
Reduce heat to low and add shredded sharp cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring constantly between each addition until fully melted. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Serve in bread bowls for the full Panera experience.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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