Make your own Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe at home! This broccoli cheddar soup will be an instant favorite with your family! It's practically life-changing!
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
I'm kind of obsessed with Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I order a cup every single time we go there, and we go there a lot ... way more than I care to admit!
I knew there had to be a copycat broccoli cheddar soup recipe out there to save me some dough (haha!) by making it myself. This recipe pretty much nails the original Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup— it's creamy, cheesy, and delicious. The best part? I don't have to settle for just a tiny one serving cup! Nom.
Ingredients for Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup:
- 2 bunches of broccoli, cut into small florets
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, julienned (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups half & half
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup:
1. Saute onion in 1 tablespoon of melted butter until transparent.
2. In a separate pot, make a roux using the remainder of melted butter and ¼ cup flour. Cook approx. 5 minutes over medium heat, constantly stirring with a whisk.
3. Slowly add in half & half, continue stirring.
4. Add chicken stock, stir, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add in broccoli florets, carrots, and sauteed onions. Let cook for another 25 minutes over low heat.
6. Stir in cheese until melted, add nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: If you like a smoother broccoli cheddar soup without chunks of veggies, pour small batches into a blender after step 5 (before adding cheese) or use an immersion hand blender until the desired consistency is reached. Transfer back to the pot and add cheese, nutmeg, and salt & pepper to taste.
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
This panera broccoli cheddar soup will quickly become a family favorite, which you can make in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 bunches broccoli, cut into small florets
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, julienned
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Saute onion in 1 tablespoon of melted butter until transparent.
- In a separate pot, make a roux using the remainder of melted butter and ¼ cup flour. Cook approx. 5 minutes over medium heat, constantly stirring with a whisk.
- Slowly add in half & half, continue stirring.
- Add chicken stock, stir and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add in broccoli florets, carrots, and sauteed onions. Let cook for another 25 minutes over low heat.
- Stir in cheese until melted, add nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
- ENJOY!!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 575Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 797mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 22g
Can Broccoli Cheddar Soup be Frozen?
Good news- Broccoli Cheddar Soup can be frozen! If you're making this copycat broccoli cheddar soup recipe, I recommend making a double or triple batch and freezing the leftovers.
When freezing broccoli cheddar soup, make sure it has cooled completely before it hits the freezer. You can store leftover soup in resealable freezer bags or storage containers with lids-- be careful not to overfill.
When ready to serve, thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir well throughout the reheating process.
What to serve with Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
Broccoli Cheese Soup is comfort food at its finest. While it is great on its own it is even better if you serve it in a homemade bread bowl! Ultimately, that isn't always realistic, so we like to serve it with dinner rolls or bread sticks.
It is also great served alongside a fresh salad. Soup and salad nights are so simple and the cleanup is even easier! That's a win-win!
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Colleen
Oh this looks great who doesn't love cheese?
Janet
How much of the frozen broccoli florets would i use in this?
HilLesha
I love broccoli cheddar soup, and that looks amazing!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins
This looks really delicious!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes
Mmmm -- I miss Broccoli Cheese soup ... I need to come up with a good grain-free version.
Judy
If u r talking gluton free just use corn starch in place of flour. There is no other grain in it. Have a good day😊
E.C.Selke
You can use rice flour for anything you need to have gluten free.
(Now, for the easier version of the soup, you could just buy cheddar cheese soup, use chicken broth bought in the box vs. water, add cooked diced carrots - frozen or canned, and frozen cooked chopped broccoli, and mix it all together.)
Pat pupa
Like the idea of cornstarch as I am a bariatric person ty.
Liz
Perhaps you could make without the flour all together - maybe add some diced potatoes? - and just have a slightly thinner soup.
Theresa
Man this looks yummy.
Marcie W.
Pinning this now and can't wait to make it! I craved this Panera Bread soup during my last pregnancy and it's been far too long since I've had it.
Leilani
Anything with broccoli and cheese sounds good to me!
Angela
I love getting this soup at Panera. I'll have to try this recipe.
courtney
I love Panera soups and this is one of my favorites!!! I dip tortilla chips in it 🙂
Kathleen
I have never had Panera's, but yours looks incredible!
Lolo
That is my favorite soup! I cannot wait to try to make it!
Robin Gagnon
This looks fantastic... just give me some crusty bread & a spoon!
Shell Feis
I discovered Panera {&that soup} last year & loved it so much I made my family go so I could order it until I got sick of it. Now I've been craving it again so I am totally trying this recipe!
Jenn
Pinning to my Restaurant copycat board. Love Panera's soups!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work
That looks great on a cold winter day.
Tiff @ Babes and Kids
I LOVE their soup. This looks especially yummy
Julie
True story – I'd never eaten broccoli until earlier this year. But now that I do eat it (and like it), I really want to try this soup!
Kelsey Apley
I have never had their soup but I have heard so many people rave about it!! I love Broccoli and Cheese soup so this is worth trying!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell
I'm in there AT LEAST once a week, often twice. I usually get a salad but this is my absolute favorite soup of theirs. It's unbelievably delicious.
Tammy
I don't know that I've ever had this at Panera! And now we don't have a Panera close to us to nosh at 🙁
Donna
I always get the Fuji Apple Chicken salad there, but I'm wanting to try their soups now. I'll try this soup the next time I make a soup at home, too!
Toni
I love that soup at Panera, it's the only soup I order. I will have to try this recipe!!
BCorey
I was nervous to make this as most of the homemade broccoli cheese soups I've tried sucked! I tried it today and it was amazing!!! I will double it next time:) thank you!!!!
christy swiney
Thanks for posting your review! You're the first I've found to have actually make it!
Symantha
This soup is very good! I just finished making it. Very simple and easy... I have still yet to go to Panera, so I haven't tried this soup there but it tastes so good! Although, I doubled the cheese and will probably add more on top at the dinner table!
Thank you for the recipe!
Michelle Copeland
Just wondering, how much does this recipe make? I am wondering if I should double it for 5 people?
Michelle
I just made this. While the soup was delicious, it seemed like there was way too much broccoli compared to the broth. I will definitely double the recipe next time but without doubling the broccoli. I might be that my bunches were larger, but they were the normal grocery store bunches of broccoli. Will definitely make again, just with some modifications.
Jess
Same here...it was overloaded with brocolli so I had to throw it in the blender and add broth to salvage it. I’m thinking this should specify an actual measurable amount like 2 cups of broccoli instead of 2 bunches.
Valerie
I cannot wait to try this!!!!! LOVE, love, love Panera!! A friend of mine is going to have their first baby this fall, does this soup freeze well? If it does, I think it would be perfect for a new family!
becky
Delicious...even better the 2nd day.
tay
Just made this. Only change I made was a bit of white pepper. You definitely need the two heads of broccoli! It is delicious!!! Hubby loved it, too!
Katie
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! Today is the second time I made it! It's amazing, my whole family loves it! Better than Paneras!
Meredith
Thank you for this irresistible recipe! I'm fresh out of college and working on my late blooming skills. I stumbled on your site and just made the soup...oh my god it's awesome!!! Exactly like panera! Thanks for sharing. My whole fam was impressed. This is helping me start my own recipe book of favorites!
Alisha
Made this today and it's absolutely amazing! Thank you 😃
Sarah Peterson
Hey MommyMusings! love love love the soup!! quick question though... when you are letting the broth mixture simmer would is it covered or uncovered, same with after you put in the broccoli. Lid?
Thanks!
Bri
I just made this tonight. It's my first time making any sort of creamy soup. Mine isn't so creamy but more separate almost like a curdled broth. Help! What did I do wrong? It has great flavor and doesn't taste or smell of curdled milk.....
Rick
You may have added the liquids too quickly, and too cold.
Kristen
This is the exact same recipe that I use from another site. I have seen a lot of complaints about the curdling and separating issue. I changed things up and added the chicken broth/stock first. Cooked the broccoli in that and then added the milk with the cheese at the end in order to avoid the curdling. It has worked for me for over two years. Oh, and we double the recipe so we can have seconds/leftovers.
Carol Fenton
Loved it and I don't like broccli. Tried it with cauliflower instead of the broccli and it was scruptious too. I added bacon bits with the cheese for a different upswing. Went over big.
Mandy Sinclair
On the stove at this moment! Perfect for this cold day! Can't wait for dinner!!
Rick
If you are making this for a family, and want leftovers (who doesn't), consider doubling the recipe. Otherwise, we have about5 minutes until we enjoy ours. I can tell it will be great!
Valerie
I tried this and I loved it! Im making it again my family also loved it. It taste so much like Paneras. Yummm thanks for this recipe:)
Ashley Cunningham
I just made this for dinner and it was good but doesn't compare to panera. I cut the amount of carrots but kept everything else the same. My kids didn't eat it so I still had to make something for them which surprised me because my daughter loves this soup at panera!
Anna
Just made this tonight... wish I could attach a picture! SO good. You completely nailed it. This is EXACTLY like Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar soup. YAY! This one is a keeper!!!
Gina
I made this today. I've never tried Paneras but this one is really good. It tastes really fresh and creamy. Will definitely make again!
Kathryn Beach
Making this as we speak! I used heavy cream.... It's all I had on hand. Hope it turns out just as good as it sounds!
Fran
Finally made this soup & it was so easy. Now I had to use frozen broccoli that I did thaw out first because I didn't want to run out to the store. The only thing I would do differently would be to buy a better quality of cheddar cheese, I only had store brand and it didn't have a good strong cheddar cheese flavor..I will be making this soup again and add it to my favorite recipes. Very Good!
cynthia
I just made this tonight and it was awesome! I don't really know why but I needed to add more chicken broth to make it the right consistency. Still excellent!
Monroe Jamison
I am in LOVE with Paneras Broccoli Soup, it is super addicting!
I can't wait to try this recipe next week! Thanks for posting this! 🙂 🙂
Melissa
What if you do not have nutmeg?
Robyn
Thus soup is awesome. I don't know how many times I have made it but it is the best. I always make home soup n bread for dinner on Sunday nites and this is the best.
Ari
I finally tried out this recipe today! It turned out amazing!! Thank you so much!!
Yolanda Crisostomo
This is my oldest daughter's favorite soup! I'll pass this recipe on to her 🙂
Sonia
Looks good! Could this be frozen? I'm the only broccoli eater in our house :-/
Penny Sue
I love this post! It looks awesome! The best part about it??? It's homemade. Let me tell you what that word means to me. Other than what is in the ingredients, there are no added preservatives, stabilizers or whatever foreign language you would like to interject here in YOUR soup! May I just interject a thought here...all of these soups being offered by so many different food sources... do you believe they don't come already made..prepackaged, and even possibly frozen? Curious. And...as a side note, how healthy can they be. Good job of finding a copycat! That is always rewarding!
Maria
I just made this and it was so good. I wasn't sure when simmering if I had to have lid on or off. I went with off and it was great. I wish I would have done a double batch. Also, I used the steam florets and cut down on the cooking time. I would highly recommend this!!!
Tiffany
When it says 2 bunches....how many cups roughly would that be? I used 2 bunches just looks like a lot of broccoli. Still looks amazing. Can't wait to try it.
James
Never had their soup but the recipe sounds good, I plan on making it in the future myself but I will omit the nutmeg as that is one of the few spices I have no plan on buying. Personally I think thyme would be a better choice for this soup, so that is what I will use.
Melanie
So amazingly good!
Caroline
Can I make this in a crock pot?
Lacey
If you love broccoli and cheese soup, give this recipe a try. It's alright, very cheesy. I would say too cheesy almost. It's definitely not panera but their soup is so good, a real copycat must be hard to find 🙁
Hannah M
this soup was delicious! My second time making it! My family gobbles it before there is leftovers. So good! But the second time I made it I didn't have stock so I put a couple chicken bouillon cubes in three cups hot water and used that as my "stock". I also didn't have half & half. The first time I made this I didn't have half & half either but I used heavy cream which worked fine. But the second time I used evaporated milk, which was all I had and it worked just fine. I'm impressed with this recipe! It's really good! Will definitely make again!
Helene
Can you freeze this soup?
Can this recipe be modified to make potato soup?
Jo
This is such an amazing recipe! My teenage daughters absolutely love it and I now make it about once a week.
Cookie Kaeli
I've made this twice now and it is wonderful!!! We are not huge fans of nutmeg over here, so I use a 1/2 tsp of curry powder instead and it is over the top delicious!! Thank you!!!
Christy Deweese
I went to Panera for lunch today and had broccoli cheddar soup. I decided to to try making it at home and found this recipe. So the same day I tried it....this is right on the money! Maybe even a bit better! Thanks for sharing.
Jacquelynn
I just made this for the first time. It was easy and taste great! Two thumbs up!
Katie
Help! I cannot figure out what went wrong! I followed the recipe exactly but my carrots and broccoli didn't soften. I left it on for over double the amount of time, but they still didn't let soften. Any ideas???
Delaine
Sautée the carrots in butter beforehand. Steam the broccoli before adding.
Michelle
I've tried a lot of different Panera copycat recipes for this soup and this one comes the closest to the real thing! I didn't add the nutmeg, just because I was afraid of the way it would taste. And I added the chicken broth first instead of the half and half as someone else had mentioned and didn't get any curdling.
Veronica
Does this recipe reheat well? I was hoping to prepare it in advance for an event and then warm it back up maybe in a crock pot.
Unknown
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Mom of Hungries
This looks delicious. It’s in the last few minutes of cooking on my stove. My only complaint is that there is NO WAY this feeds 4 to 6 people. Maybe 4 to 6 Barbie dolls...but not my family. Next time I’ll have to triple it. I have hungry teenagers!
Cari
I absolutely love this recipe! It's delicious! I doubled it because it didn't seem like it would be enough for two main courses, and now I'm glad I did. I'll have leftovers!! YES! 🙂
jo
thankss
dave
give people stars
https://yess8indo.com
great recipe for the dish, i gonna try it at home along with my parent!
Kayla
I have personally made this soup 10+ times and it is so delicious! I substitute the chicken stock for vegetable stock so it is vegetarian friendly. I also recommend using a more expensive sharp cheddar cheese so there is a better cheese flavor. I love dipping a baguette into this soup, 10/10 recommend anyone to make this super easy and delicious soup!
Lindsay
Delicious! Made this today. Added a bit more cheese. I will add a bit less nutmeg next time. Overall tastes just like Panera!
Elsy Frase
Itrrrs this that I want right now. Appreciate sharing this blog
JG
Delicious and simple to make. This is a keeper!
Chris
While the final result was decent, I have some issues with the way the recipe was written: it wasn't clear which pot to saute versus make the roux, or which pot to add the half-and-half/stock into until much later in the recipe. For ease of cleaning, it would make much more sense to recommend sauteing the onions in 1 tbsp of butter in a 6 qt stockpot, then remove onions and melt 4 addl tbsps of butter to create roux. Also bunches aren't a clear measurement, and with my giant bunches (1lb in total), I wound up with a broccoli soup that had cheddar. The soup was fine, but the recipe could use some clarification.
Lea B
Excellent recipe! I didn’t change around a few of the steps, but it still resulted in a remarkable taste. Good job!