Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This delicious soup will make you feel like you are sitting at Panera Bread! This easy & from scratch recipe tastes so much like the restaurant, you won’t be able to tell the difference!
When we first began homeschooling almost a decade ago, I would spend a few hours each week at Panera Bread.
I would sip coffee, eat broccoli cheddar soup, and plan out our weekly lessons and projects. Justin would keep the kids at home and I would steal away a few precious moments all to myslef.
It was like a mini Mommy vacation! Peace, quiet, and food I didn’t have to cook!
So needless to say, I was delighted to come up with this broccoli cheddar recipe to use at home for those days I can’t steal away to Panera.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Check out this video from our channel, where I share the step-by-step recipe.
Also see 4 other soup recipes that are great for dinner tonight or for your freezer.
Ingredients
1 stick butter
1 small onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp flour
2 c chicken broth
1/2 c heavy cream
2 c milk
2 carrots, shredded or diced
2 heads of fresh broccoli, chopped
salt & pepper
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
1. Over medium heat, melt one stick of butter in a large stock pot or dutch oven.
2. Add one small diced onion and 2 stalks of diced celery. Cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
3. Add 1 teaspoon minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of flour. Cook for one minute, stirring continually.
4. Slowly add 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 2 cups milk, stirring constantly with a spoon or whisk.
5. Add 2 shredded or diced carrots and 2 heads of roughly chopped broccoli to the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer, cooking until vegetables just begin to soften. (Stir the soup often, being careful to prevent overheating or sticking).
6. Add a generous amount of salt and pepper to season.
7. Stir in 8 ounces of a good cheddar cheese (we like Cabot) and cook until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated, stirring often.
8. Serve this soup as is (which delicious chunks of broccoli and vegetables) or you can use a stick blender to puree to make a smoother soup.
How to Freeze Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This makes an excellent freezer meal! For best results, follow the recipe as is.
Allow soup to cool completely before transferring to a ziploc bag or freezer storage container. Freeze for up six months.
When ready to eat, thaw soup overnight in refrigerator or use the defrost setting of your microwave.
Reheat in a large pot or dutch oven. If soup seems too thick or dry, add additional chicken broth, water, or a splash of milk.
