Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is ready in less than 30 minutes! The perfect bowl of comfort food without leaving your house!
Copycat Panera Recipes
My family doesn’t love traditional fast food. Which I suppose is a good thing, except when I’m looking to just pick up a quick, on the go meal I’m limited by their taste buds!
Fortunately (or not) for us, our Panera Bread has a drive through, and it’s one of the “fast food” choices we all love. Except it’s pricey. They don’t have a dollar menu!
My goal with my blog has been to create a database of recipes that my family loves.
They scroll through often and say, “Hey, can you make Chicken Lime Enchiladas for dinner?” Or, “I’m craving some Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes for dessert.”
I’ve also been adding to our collection of copycat recipes.
Things like Starbucks Lemon Loaf, Panera Mac and Cheese, and Hostess Cupcakes. If my kids are craving it, I can probably recreate it!
With today’s Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe, we may never have to actually go to Panera again.
When I can make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home, I know I’m saving us some money and a trip out.
30 minute dinner
From start to finish, this Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe takes less than 30 minutes.
Real talk: It will probably take less time to make this soup at home than it would to get everyone in the car and drive to Panera. Not to mention the drive back home!
You can always use fresh broccoli to make Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup, but it’s ok if you want to reach into the freezer for a bag of frozen broccoli florets. We’ve all done it a time or two and they’ll be just as delicious in this soup!
My Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe makes 3-4 decent sized bowls of soup…but you can easily double the recipe if you have hungry eaters, and this is your main dish.
Keep this soup vegetarian by using vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.
You could also serve this soup as a side alongside sandwiches. Try my Turkey Cheddar Sliders or, if you want to mix favorites from different restaurants, Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
Use my hashtag #shugarysweets
Follow Shugary Sweets on Instagram
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1: In a large soup pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add in onions, broccoli and carrots. Cook to soften (until broccoli is tender, and carrots too!) about 5 minutes (may be more or less depending on the size vegetables you cut).
Slowly add in broth, milk, and cream. Sprinkle with flour and add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
Continue stirring and heating over medium heat until thickened. This will take about 10-15 minutes. If you want your soup a little thinner (and lighter), substitute some of the milk or cream for more chicken broth (chicken stock).
STEP 2: Once the soup thickens, reduce heat, and add cheddar cheese (either prepackaged shredded cheddar or hand grated cheese). Stir until melted and smooth. Serve soup and enjoy!
Want less chunks in your soup? Use an immersion blender to smooth it out! Our family loved this soup, it’s a great recipe for busy weeknights!
Today’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup can also be made in the Instant Pot! Dinner in under 30 minutes! Loaded with vegetables and cheese, you’ll love this easy, creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe! It’s the BEST!
More Copycat Panera Recipes
Does your family love Panera as much as mine does? Lucky for you, I have a whole list of recipes I’ve recreated from Panera.
In addition to the Panera Mac and Cheese and Broccoli Cheese Soup, our family loves
I told you – breakfast, lunch or dinner, I’ve got you covered!
What take out food do YOU wish I had a recipe for? Maybe I can work on it…..
What to serve with Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Easy, buttery Beer Bread goes perfect with this soup! Also great to cube into bite sized pieces and use for dips!
Are you looking for a fluffy, delicious Dinner Roll? These No Knead Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls will please the whole family!
Easiest side dish ever. Whip up a batch of these Puff Pastry Bread Sticks to dunk in your soup!
You can also go to most bakery sections in the grocery store and find a great homemade bread bowl!
Pin this now to save for later
Pin this recipe to your favorite Board
More Easy Dinner Ideas
- Tomato Soup
- Lemon Garlic Pasta
- French Onion Soup
- Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Pasta Fagioli Recipe
- More Soups and Stews
PS. If you try this recipe, please leave a STAR rating in the recipe card below. I love your feedback! Connect with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is ready in less than 30 minutes! The perfect bowl of comfort food without leaving your house!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup diced onions (yellow or white)
- 1 cup shredded carrots (I used matchsticks that I cut into half inch pieces)
- 2 1/2-3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (I use skim/fat free)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (or more as desired)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium high heat, melt butter. Add in onions, carrots and broccoli. Cook to soften about 5 minutes (may be more or less depending on the size vegetables you cut).
- Slowly add in broth, milk, and cream. Sprinkle with flour and add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Continue stirring and heating over medium heat until thickened. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
- Once thick, add cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Serve soup and enjoy!
Notes
- Easily double the ingredients to make more of this delicious soup!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 725Total Fat: 55gSaturated Fat: 33gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1777mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 11gSugar: 9gProtein: 26g
*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is ready in less than 30 minutes! The perfect bowl of comfort food without leaving your house!
This recipe was soooo delicious! Taste exactly like Panera. Glad I found it and had all the ingredients onsite! Comfort food for the soul…
So glad you loved it!
Can I make this in the crockpot?
I don’t see an answer to your question, however, I am a retired professional. You’d have to do the first part (cooking onions, broccoli and carrot sticks, the evening prior, then reserve your milk & cream for when everything is done. I suspect that the end result might not be as satisfying as it would be prepared on a stove. Let us know, if you try it.
I love this soup!!! It tastes amazing! Although I feel like the onions could be left out and it would be better. But I loved it! Even though I’m pregnant and puked it all back up 😢
Because f the stay at home order without the cream, I just replaced it with more milk, it still turned out delicious’ nice and thick and creamy.
I have read this and my question is, fresh or frozen broccoli?
Either one works!
my family loves this soup. I make it often
Once the veggies have softened down, I take about two cups and blend them for 10 seconds and then add back in before the cheese is tossed in. It gives the soup a real creamy texture.
I LOVE PANERA BROCCOLI CHEDDER SOUP. I WOULD LOVE TO DOUBLE THE BATCH AND FREEZE IT DOES IT FREEZE WELL?
Why are you yelllinggggggg.
Yes, you can freeze it.. 3-6 months I’d imagine, if everything was fresh before cooking.. just don’t kill anyone..
😂 LOL!
Linda…when you use all capitals in electronic mail, it means you’re shouting. Just to let you know, we’ve all done it.
This was very very good! I only added 1/2 cup of shredded carrot and no chili flakes, everything else kept the same. Will have to double recipe as it was not enough.