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This Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is rich, creamy, and loaded with fresh broccoli, carrots, and cheddar cheese. A cozy, comforting classic you can make easily at home with simple ingredients!
Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup has always been one of my favorite comfort foods because it is rich, creamy, and full of mellow cheddar flavor. Making it at home feels like such a win because it tastes just as cozy but is even creamier and more customizable.
I just found this recipe yesterday and made it for dinner today. It was delicious. My kids loved it and said it was as good as panera. It was easy and much cheaper plus we have left overs. Thank you so much for posting this.
-Laura
Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just need a bowl of something soothing, this soup always hits the spot. Add a crusty bread bowl, and you may never go back to the restaurant version again!
If you love this Easy Soup Recipe, you must try this broccoli cheese soup or Copycat Chicken noodle soup!
Ingredients
- Melted Butter – We used unsalted butter
- Onion – Chop onion ahead of time and learn how to freeze onion
- Flour – Helps to thicken the broth
- Heavy Cream – Added for a creamy broth
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth – If you are out see Chicken broth substitutes
- Fresh Broccoli – Feel free to add in other veggies. Chopped Cauliflower would be a great addition
- Shredded Carrots – Matchstick Carrots work best
- Nutmeg – Added for warm flavors
- Cheddar Cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese for the best flavor and to easily melt
- Salt and Pepper to taste – Simple spices
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe.
How to Make Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Step 1 – Sauté the Onion – In a large pot, sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter until onions are soft.
Step 2 – Make a Roux – Add in the flour and ¼ cup melted butter. Stir with the onions over medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3 – Add in Liquids – Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and chicken stock. Let this simmer for about 20 minutes on the stove-top.
Step 4 – Mix in Vegetables – Add the broccoli florets and carrots. Simmer on medium-low for about 25 minutes until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
Step 5 – Add in the Seasoning – Add nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add in the sharp cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt and then serve. For a smoother and to thicken the soup you can puree with a immersion blender. But we love the bite size pieces!
Step 6 – Serve and Enjoy – Serve this soup in regular bowls or a bread bowl. Add extra sharp cheese to the top when serving.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ medium onion chopped
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ lb fresh broccoli (chopped into bite size pieces)
- 1 carrot (peeled and shredded0.
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter until onions are soft. Add in the flour and ¼ cup melted butter.
- Stir with the onions over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and chicken broth.
- Add the broccoli and carrots. Simmer, covered on medium-low for about 25 minutes until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
- Add nutmeg, salt, pepper and sharp cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt and then serve.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Add Flavor – Feel free to change the seasoning to what you prefer in this broccoli cheddar soup at home. You can add in garlic, paprika, or ground mustard.
- Vegetable Stock – If you prefer you can use vegetable stock instead of chicken broth.
- Frozen Broccoli – You can use frozen broccoli, but I would recommend allowing the broccoli to thaw before adding to the soup.
- Combining the Ingredients – We recommend allowing the soup to simmer. This allows the soup to thicken as the vegetables soften.
- Slurry – If the soup needs to be thicken, make a cornstarch slurry. Mix together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with water and combine. Then mix into the soup to allow it to thicken.
- Cheese – We recommend shredding the cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has added ingredients that may not make the cheese to melt well.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Suggestions
This Panera broccoli cheese soup recipe is delicious just the way it is. But we also to make sure to serve our favorite crusty bread to get every last drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store broccoli cheese soup Panera recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or stovetop depending on how much you have left.
No, it is not due to the flour in the soup. You can try using a gluten free flour as a substitute in the soup if you need to make it gluten free.
More Easy Panera Copycat Recipes
- Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
- Panera Bread Tomato Soup Recipe
More Easy Soup Recipes
Quick and Easy Soup
10 Easy Soups to Celebrate Souptember
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
We love hearing from you. If you make this Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
I wish there were more stars!!!!! This is the BEST Broccoli Soup ever. Don’t skip the heavy cream. I almost did but made a special trip to the store to pick it up.
My Adult Son loved this a he is not a soup person ??
Wow Debbie! Thank you SO much! I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you for leaving a comment.
I wish there were more stars!!!!! This is the BEST Broccoli Soup ever. Don’t skip the heavy cream. I almost did but made a special trip to the store to pick it up.
My Adult Son loved this a he is not a soup person ??
Wow Debbie! Thank you SO much! I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you for leaving a comment.
This is the best Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup ever. Glad I made a special trip to get the Heavy Cream ????????????
Can you use frozen chopped broccoli
Yes — you can absolutely use frozen chopped broccoli in this soup.
Here are a few tips if you plan to use frozen broccoli.
No need to thaw — just add it straight to the soup.
Add it a bit later than you would fresh broccoli since frozen broccoli is partially cooked and softens faster.
Chop larger pieces if needed so they match the small florets typical of Panera’s soup.
Hope this helps. Let me know once you make it!
I just found this recipe yesterday and made it for dinner today. It was delicious. My kids loved it and said it was as good as panera. It was easy and much cheaper plus we have left overs. Thank you so much for posting this.
Laura – That’s awesome. So glad you all loved it and saved money!
I am making the soup now but there is an error in your recipe. At the beginning it says to use half and half but in the recipe it says to use heavy cream. I am making it with half and half since that is what I saw originally. Just wondering which is correct so I can make your original recipe.
I’m so sorry for the confusion. I use heavy cream in this recipe and I have updated the post.
Half & Half or Whipping Cream
Whipping cream
Can this be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze this after it cooked in a freezer bag for up to 3-6 months.
That is one of my fave meals!
Carrie,You are a wonderful cook. Thank you for your recipes.
Just made this and absolutely loved it ??
Could I make this in the crock pot? If so what settings and time would you suggest? Thank you!
Yes, I think it would work great. I would cook it on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3 hours in the crock pot. Let us know how it turns out. Thank you!
Can you freeze some for later?
What is a serving size?
Can I freeze leftover soup?
Do you think this soup can be frozen? It sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it!! 🙂
When do you add the extra 1/4 cup butter and are there extra onions or is this just a typo? (Instruction #3)
Kari – Thank you! It was a typo. I have corrected the post. The 1/4 cup melted butter is added when the flour is added. Also, there are not extra onions to be added so I have removed that duplication. Thank you for letting me know! 🙂