CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2024)

Cincy Shopper Recipe Index Soup

By Jen Cincyshopper

on Mar 24, 2014, Updated Oct 21, 2020

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This CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe will be a hit with you I promise. If you love Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup you are going to be amazed on how easy it is to make at home. After enjoying the CopyCat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich the other day I was ready to make some of my favorite CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup to pair up with the sandwich for our lunch today. I made this recipe back in December to share with all of you and forgot to place it on the blog. That was a big mistake as this soup is now my favorite soup. Since my photography skills have gotten better lol, I took a new picture of the CopyCat Panera Broccoli Soup we enjoyed today. Trust me the other pictures were not so good ha ha.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2)

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

But back to the soup… Brocccoli Soup has always been a hit in our house. I love ordering a bowl at every restaurant we eat at (if on the menu). Up until making this recipe back in December Kroger Broccoli Soup was my brand I enjoyed at home. I could never find a quick and easy canned Broccoli Soup that we really liked. Kroger brand can get quite expensive and picking up Panera Broccoli Soup can cost a small fortune to feed my crew.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (3)
I had set out to make a CopyCat of my favorite Broccoli Soup.. Panera Bread. I was amazed that this recipe turned out PERFECT. I no longer needed to head to Panera bread to enjoy my favorite soup. I can now just whip up this CopyCat Panera Broccoli Soup right at home.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (5)

I love making this Broccoli Soup recipe as everything is fresh. I usually have to pick up some fresh broccoli and fresh carrots (which is usually when I spot a great sale). I usually have everything else on hand in the pantry and fridge.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (6)

INGREDIENTS
1/2 chopped Onion
1/4 cup melted Butter
1/4 cup Flour
2 cup Half and Half
2 cup Chicken Stock
2 large bunches Broccoli
2 Carrots
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
8 oz shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (7)

DIRECTIONS
Cut carrots into small strips.
Break apart broccoli florets into small pieces.
Saute Onion in 1 tbsp of melted butter until transparent.
Make a roux using remainder of melted butter and flour. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat.
Add in half and half stirring constantly.
Add in chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add vegetables and cook for 25 minutes over low heat.
If you want a smooth soup, at this point puree in a blender and return to heat or use immersion blender.
Add cheese and nutmeg.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (8)

If you are looking to make a great soup and sandwich for lunch or dinner give this CopyCat Panera Broccoli Soup and the CopyCat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich a try. You can have Panera Bread at home for a fraction of the cost.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (9)

CopyCat Recipes are a great way to enjoy your favorite restaurant foods at home. The savings will really add up. Eating out can really break a bunch if done too frequently. Check out some of my other great CopyCat Recipes to help you with savings. I have made a great CopyCat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich, CopyCat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade, CopyCat Starbucks Lemon Loaf, CopyCat Bonefill Grill Bang Bang Shrimp, CopyCat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, CopyCat Wendy’s Chili, CopyCat Red Robin Freckled Lemonade and the CopyCat Shamrock Shake.

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (10)

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (11)

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (12)

CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

By: Jen CIncyshopper

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 chopped Onion
  • 1/4 cup melted Butter
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 2 cup Half and Half
  • 2 cup Chicken Stock
  • 2 large bunches Broccoli
  • 2 Carrots
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
  • 8 oz shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cut carrots into small strips.

  • Break apart broccoli florets into small pieces.

  • Saute Onion in 1 tbsp of melted butter until transparent.

  • Make a roux using remainder of melted butter and flour. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat.

  • Add in half and half stirring constantly.

  • Add in chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes.

  • Add vegetables and cook for 25 minutes over low heat.

  • If you want a smooth soup, at this point puree in a blender and return to heat or use immersion blender.

  • Add cheese and nutmeg.

  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Jen Cincyshopper

A lover of food and frugal living. A wife to a wonderful hubby, momma to 5 fun kiddos. Welcome to my blog. You will find REAL TASTY RECIPES. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media, to never miss a recipe.

Read More About Me

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CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is in Panera broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Milk, Chicken Stock (Chicken Base [Chicken Meat Including Chicken Juices, Salt, Chicken Fat, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Potato Flour, Carrot Powder, Turmeric]), Water, Broccoli, Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Whey, Whey Protein ...

Does Panera broccoli cheddar have carrots? ›

About This. Chopped broccoli, shredded carrots and select seasonings simmered in a velvety smooth cheese sauce.

Why isn t my cheese melting in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a lusciously creamy soup. To ensure that your broccoli cheddar soup has the best smooth and creamy texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

Why is my cheese clumping in broccoli cheddar soup? ›

If heated too high, you risk clumping and if too low, not melting properly. With soup, you might be able to fix it with an immersion blender, or you might not. At a temperature of 150 or so, the protein bonds in the cheese break down and as a result, too much fo the moisture escapes too quickly.

Why is Panera's broccoli cheddar soup so good? ›

If it's been a minute since you've had Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar Soup, let me tell you everything that they do right: this soup is velvety, lightweight, and smooth; the broccoli florets are perfectly sized and many come whole; and the addition of shredded carrots bring out a whole new depth of flavor that sets it ...

Is Panera's broccoli cheddar soup healthy? ›

The Unhealthiest Panera Soup: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

In a 1-cup serving, expect 46% of the daily recommended limit of 2,300 milligrams. "Diets high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure," says Michelle Rauch, MS, RDN. "Hypertension is a major risk factor associated with heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease."

Is Panera getting rid of broccoli cheddar soup? ›

“Panera will absolutely be serving longtime guest favorites like sourdough on sandwiches and via its iconic sourdough bread bowl and other longtime favs like French onion soup, broccoli cheddar soup, Toasted Frontega Chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, the kitchen sink cookie and more,” a Panera spokesperson clarified, ...

Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›

Is broccoli soup good for you? Most of the time, broccoli cheese soup isn't the healthiest option since it has lots of cheese and heavy cream. This version is lightened up with evaporated skim milk and less cheese. It also uses extra vegetables that are blended to create some of the creaminess in the soup.

Why is Panera broccoli cheddar soup not vegetarian? ›

One major complaint people have about the soup is that it is not vegetarian because it is made with chicken stock. I've called for vegetable broth here, although you could certainly use chicken stock if the vegetarian factor isn't a priority for you.

Can you use pre shredded cheese in soup? ›

Will cheddar cheese melt in soup? Cheddar will definitely melt here — but you'll want to start with block cheese for this cheddar potato soup. Pre-shredded cheese, though convenient, is coated with an anti-clumping agent that interferes with the cheese's ability to melt smoothly and evenly.

What kind of cheese melts best in soup? ›

Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

Why do you avoid simmering your soup after adding the cheese? ›

Cheese can curdle when added to soup due to the high temperatures and acidity in the soup. The proteins in cheese are sensitive to heat and acid, causing them to separate and form curds.

Why does broccoli cheddar soup make my stomach hurt? ›

Broccoli also can be the culprit behind a slew of stomach-related symptoms. Not only does the veggie — or more specifically, the intestinal bacteria that breaks the fibrous content down — cause gas, but that gas can actually be painful, too. Because the gas expands the intestines, its lining and walls become stretched.

How do you fix bitter broccoli soup? ›

Flavor profiles:
  1. Citrus: A squeeze of lemon juice or orange zest brightens the broccoli and cuts through any bitterness.
  2. Herbs and spices: Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and chili flakes add complexity and warm notes. ...
  3. Cheese: Grated Parmesan or a creamy cheese sauce can mask the distinct taste and add richness.
Jun 17, 2023

How can I thicken my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

HOW CAN YOU MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP THICKER?
  1. You can mix equal parts butter and flour to form a thick paste, then stir that into the soup.
  2. You can whisk some cornstarch into cold water or broth until the cornstarch is dissolved, and stir that into the soup.
  3. You can add a bit more cheese.
Feb 6, 2019

Why is Panera broccoli cheddar not vegetarian? ›

Why is Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup not vegetarian? Panera makes their traditional version with chicken stock, making the soup neither vegetarian or vegan.

Does Panera broccoli cheddar soup have dairy? ›

Contains: milk and wheat.

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