Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is ready in less than 30 minutes! The perfect bowl of comfort food without leaving your house!
I created this recipe many years ago, and you’ll see by the recipe reviews how loved it’s become. I hope it becomes a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation too!
This recipe was originally published in January 2017. The recipe notes have been updated in February 2025.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Taste & Texture – Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender broccoli, just like the Panera favorite.
Ease of Making – Quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes.
Cooking Method – One-pot stovetop soup for a simple, comforting meal.
Aimee’s Top Tip – Use an immersion blender for a smoother texture, or keep it chunky for more bite. Frozen broccoli works too!
I first created this Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe years ago because Panera was one of the few “fast food” stops my whole family could agree on. Their broccoli cheddar soup has always been a favorite, but the cost for 6 people to eat out was too much.
After making it at home, again and again, I’ve learned how to get that same creamy, cheesy texture while keeping the recipe simple enough for a busy weeknight. And yes, shredding your own cheddar really does make a difference!
My goal with copycat recipes isn’t just to recreate something you love from a restaurant. I want to give you a dependable version that’s easy enough to make at home, and I know your family will ask for it again and again.
Featured Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My picky son finally let me make him this soup for him and he loved it!” -Corrie
Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe Ingredients
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!
- Broccoli: 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.
- Broth: Keep this soup vegetarian by using vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.
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.
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.
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Panera Copycat)
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!
Instant Pot: 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!
Slow cooker: Use my slow cooker broccoli cheddar soup recipe for a great, fix it and forget it meal!
Tips for this Cheddar Broccoli Soup Recipe
- For creamier soup, use an immersion blender. Pulse it until you achieve your desired texture. If you want a few chunks, don’t blend completely.
- Grate the cheese by hand instead of buying pre-shredded cheese. The cheese will melt smoother and result in a creamier texture. Store bought pre-shredded cheese is packaged with anti-caking ingredients that prevent the cheese from melting smooth, resulting in a grittier texture.
- Reheat leftovers on the stove on low heat for best results. This allows you to reheat slowly, and add in a little cream or milk (or more cheese!) should you need it.
- Use a whisk when adding in milk, cream, broth, and flour. Whisk for several minutes until smooth.
Best Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe Variations
Want to make the soup heartier? Add in some cooked, cubed potato for flavor and texture.
Need more protein? Shred a rotisserie chicken and add it after the flour has been whisked into the cream.
Make it spicy! For a little heat, add in some extra red pepper flavors or chopped jalapenos.
How to Serve This Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Easy, buttery Beer Bread goes perfect with this soup! Also great to cube into bite sized pieces and use for dips!
Of course my 5 minute Artisan bread is a great side for this soup.
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!
How to Store this Cheddar Broccoli Soup Recipe
Allow soup to cool, then keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze soup in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat on low on the stovetop, adding more cream if needed.
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 Broccoli Cheese Soup, our family loves
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Best Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ 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 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk I use skim/fat free
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon 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!
- Use a good quality cheddar cheese for best results. And shred the cheese yourself for the creamiest results.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze soup in airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat on stovetop.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks and directions on how to make in slow cooker and Instant Pot.
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Nutrition
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is ready in less than 30 minutes! The perfect bowl of comfort food without leaving your house!
I don’t have any flour. Can I leave it out?
I love this recipe! Thank you so much for saving me the time and cost of Panera’s. I have made this several times. I have use low fat milk, half and half and cream. And whatever cheese I have on hand. Works great every time ❤️🙏. Thank you Aimee for sharing.
No cream or onions but Lip Smackin’ Good. Thanks so much. :0)
This soup is perfect as is and is delicious! It has the right amount of cheese to beschamel sauce. I will definitely make again!
Can you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Sure can!
I just made this delicious soup with a couple of adjustments. I was a little nervous about how the flour is added so I sprinkled it over the sautéed veggies before adding the liquids. Cooked it about a minute. Then added the broth, etc. also, I had leftover steamed broccoli from last nights dinner. Just chopped it up and added with the cheese. Then some crispy bacon and sliced scallions. Superb!
Happy to hear it 🙂
This recipe is a staple in our house. Panera Bread’s broccoli cheddar soup is my picky eater’s favorite soup. When I make this she always says that mine is even BETTER than Panera Bread’s. The only thing I do different is I USE salted butter and then I just add a bit of salt to balance it out to taste. I also DOUBLE the recipe so there are leftovers and enough for thermos for school!!! AMAZING recipe, thank you so much for sharing it with us!!!
Very good!!! And will definitely make again. But I would use a little less salt
Hi there,
Is there a healthier substitute for the cream?
Thanks,
Renee
The cream helps it stay thick and delicious. You could use a lighter milk, but it won’t be as creamy 🙂
NIkki, that was nice of you to explain that. I have a sister-in-law that does all camps, but she has a learning disorder and doesn’t understand. I just let it go…but I still read it like she is shouting at me…lol! 🙂 Just thought it was really nice of you to explain it to her!
That does all caps! LOL, see, like you said, we all make mistakes…lol!
The BEST!!!! I love this recipe so much! Might even be better than Panera!
Can I make this in a crock pot?
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 😢
I just looked this recipe up to make for my pregnant daughter who is sick night and day. I have a feeling the results will be the same as you, but I’m a good Mom and am trying to get her to eat more!
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.
What type of cheddar cheese works best—- I’ll medium sharp? Or is it just which one is to your taste?
Sorry, that was supposed to read “ mild” not “I’ll”
I prefer a sharp cheddar, but use what you love 🙂