As the long days of winter wind down, there’s no better way to embrace the change of seasons than a piping hot bowl of soup. As I was debating which soup recipe to share, I landed on this one because – for one – Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is one of my all-time favorites. And two, it just so happens to be one of the most popular copycat recipes. This soup is not only sold at Panera cafes around the country, but it’s on shelves in stores like Costco, so you know it must be a pretty high-in-demand recipe. Fortunately, to get your hands on some you don’t need to trek all the way to Costco. All you need to do is try this copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe.
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
| Serves | Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
| 4 | 10 min | 1 hr | 1 hr 10 min |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1⁄4 cup butter (used for separate purposes)
- 1⁄2 medium onion
- 1⁄4 cup flour
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1⁄2 lb broccoli
- 1 cup matchstick-cut carrots
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Melt the first tablespoon of butter in a saucepan on medium heat.
- Add onion to the pan and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- In another saucepan, add remaining butter and melt on medium heat. Add flour and whisk for five minutes. It should turn golden brown by this point.
- Gradually pour chicken stock into the flour and butter mixture and simmer for 20 minutes with lid on the pan.
- Add carrots, broccoli, and onions, milk, and half-and-half to the pan. Stir and reduce heat to low.
- Put the lid back on and let heat for 20 minutes (do not bring to boil).
- Add seasonings – nutmeg, salt, and pepper and stir.
- Gradually add cheese a little at a time. Stir until melted.
- Serve with bread and refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 352 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 30.5g | 39% |
| Saturated Fat 19.1g | 95% |
| Cholesterol 89mg | 30% |
| Sodium 476mg | 21% |
| Total Carbohydrate 13.3g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.7g | 6% |
| Total Sugars 3.2g | |
| Protein 8.4g | |
| Vitamin D 10mcg | 50% |
| Calcium 206mg | 16% |
| Iron 1mg | 3% |
| Potassium 352mg | 7% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet.2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Notes
- If the soup is too runny, you can gradually add more flour and cheese until it reaches the desired thickness. Be careful not to add too much (no more than 1/8 cup at a time)
- If the soup is too thick, you can stir in a bit of water.
- I recommend pairing the soup with crostini, French bread, ciabatta, or focaccia
