Enjoy one of your favorite restaurant menu items at home with my version of Panera's Broccoli & Cheese Soup.
I have my own version of Broccoli & Cheese Soup in my cookbook, but so many people asked me about Panera Bread's version that I had to seek out their recipe and try it myself.
I found this version of Panera's Broccoli & Cheese Soup made with half and half and it was very similar to my own recipe.
How do you make broccoli and cheese soup?
Start by melting 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add flour; then whisk to form a roux. Gradually add the half and half until the roux has dissolved; then add the chicken broth. Allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the liquid is simmering, melt 1 teaspoon of butter in a small pan; then stir add onions and carrots. Sauté 2-3 minutes until the onions start to soften; then remove from heat and set aside.
Next, add broccoli, onions and carrots to the liquid mixture, cover the pot with a lid and simmer over low heat for an additional 15 minutes; stirring occasionally. Remove the soup from the heat.
Use either an immersion blender or a blender to puree the ingredients until smooth; then return the soup to the pan. Stir in the cheese and nutmeg until the cheese has melted.
This Panera copycat Broccoli and Cheese Soup was deliciously creamy and certainly warmed me up on a cold day.
The family really loved this soup; though they complained mentioned they would have preferred it better if I served it in a bread bowl. Maybe next time~Enjoy!
Visit the recipe index to search for more recipes by category.
More Broccoli Recipes
- Cauliflower and Broccoli Gorgonzola Bake
- Broccoli and Cheese Calzones
- Cavatelli and Broccoli
- Lemon Chicken Broccoli Spaghetti Squash
- Broccoli White Cheddar Quiche
Get my weekly newsletter and receive a FREE eBook!
Copycat Panera Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups half & half
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon butter
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- 12 ounces frozen broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; then whisk in the flour forming a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the half and half until the roux has dissolved; then add the chicken broth. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the liquid is simmering, melt the 1 teaspoon of butter in a small pan; then stir in the onions and carrots. Saute 2-3 minutes until the onions start to soften. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the broccoli, onions and carrots to the liquid mixture, cover the pot with a lid and simmer over low heat for an additional 15 minutes; stirring occasionally.
- Remove the soup from the heat. Use either an immersion blender or a blender to puree the ingredients until smooth; then return the soup to the pan.
- Stir in the cheese and nutmeg until the cheese has melted and serve hot.
Frank Markham says
Is this the original Panara Bread broccoli cheddar? I loved that soup, but they changed the recipe to " make it cleaner". I do not care for the new version, and have met no one that does. For all those who loved the original soup, you can get one just as good if not better at Sprouts Market, only buy the fresh version. They usually have it at least one day a week. How about a copy cat version of that soup? Love it!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Hi Frank, I live on the East Coast (NJ) and we don't have a Sprouts Market in the area. I made this soup four years ago so I guess it would be the old recipe. I haven't had it at Panera in a while so I can't say how the new version tastes, but we LOVE this one. I hope you enjoy it as well!
Mary Czerczyk says
I love Panera's Broccoli & cheese soup. I will try this recipe . Thank you!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
You're welcome Mary, I hope you enjoy it!
Lclair says
How many servings does this make & what size are they?
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
This soup makes eight 1-cup servings.
Brianna says
This soup is delicious.! I added kale and red potatoes in mine and tripped the recipe (big hungry family) and it came out perfect.!!!
carrieexpktchn@optonline.net says
What a great way to add more substance. I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for coming back to let me know I truly appreciate it. 🙂
Kmac says
This was great, even without the onion which I realized too late that I didn't have! Thank you!
Carrie Farias says
I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping back to let me know. Happy Holidays!