Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe Copycat

This copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe tastes so much like the one from Panera Bread restaurants, but is a copycat you can make right at home.

If you are a fan of Panera's Broccoli cheese soup, you have got to try this delicious cheesy soup recipe!

How to Make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Making this Panera broccoli cheese soup copycat at home is pretty easy. Follow along here with step-by-step instructions and pictures or jump down to the printable recipe card.

The recipes makes 6 servings.

Prep Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 30 mins

Ingredients for Panera broccoli cheese soup:

Here is everything you will need to make the broccoli cheese soup recipe.

• ½ onion, chopped
• ¼ cup butter (1 tablespoon set aside for sautéing onions)
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk or half and half
• 2 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
• 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped fresh broccoli florets (Yes, you can use frozen broccoli florets as long as they are bite sized pieces)
• 1 cup matchstick carrots (or shredded carrots)
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 2 ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions: 

Melt butter reserved for cooking onions in a large deep skillet or soup pot over medium-high heat. 

Add onions to the pan and sauté in hot melted butter until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove onions from pan and set aside.

Melt remaining butter in skillet, and whisk in flour.

Continue to whisk and cook 2-3 minutes to form a light roux. [quick reference on Roux]

Gradually pour milk into flour mixture while whisking constantly. 

Slowly whisk chicken stock into milk mixture. Bring to a simmer.

Add broccoli, carrots and celery as well as the sauteed onion. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

The broccoli will become vibrant green and carrots will be soft.

Stir the shredded cheddar cheese into vegetable mixture until it melts. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup immediately. A dollop of sour cream is a nice contrast with the hot soup when serving. Some crusty bread on the side is a must.

Try serving it in a bread bowl for a fun twist guests and family will enjoy. Bread bowls are easily made by cutting the center out of boule breads.

Want more options to ease a broccoli and cheese craving? Try my broccoli au gratin recipe or cheesy broccoli stuffed chicken breasts.

Variations of the Recipe

While the goal is a soup strongly similar to the original restaurant version, the benefit of making it yourself is you can alter things a bit.

• If you want a smoother soup without any chunks of veggies, use an immersion blender right in the pan, or cool it a little then pour into a regular blender.
• For a creamier soup swap 1 cup of the milk for heavy cream or the full two cups for half and half.
• Make the soup vegetarian by simply substituting vegetable broth for chicken. Making the recipe vegan would be far more difficult due to all the dairy products in it.
• Some may prefer to add a tablespoon of garlic powder to the soup for extra flavor.
• Spice it up a bit with a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Got leftover broccoli cheese soup, don't let it go to waste. Here is what to do.

To Store

Cool the soup before sealing in an airtight container. Dividing the soup into smaller containers allows the soup to cool faster and safer. Do not leave out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (less in warm temperatures), to avoid bacterial growth. If left out longer the soup must be discarded.

How Long Will It Last

Leftovers may be stored in the fridge in airtight containers. Refrigerated broccoli soup for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, put chilled soups into freezer safe airtight containers and freeze. The frozen soup will last for up to 3 months.

Reheating Broccoli Cheese Soup

Do not be off-put if the creamy broth has broken. You can easily alter the texture by heating it up. Put the soup in the pan and cook over high heat, whisking often for the lumps and liquid to regain a smooth consistency. You can alter

While Panera broccoli cheese soup is fantastic in a combo with a sandwich or salad for lunch, it is also a great way to start a meal. I think it would be perfect served before broccoli stuffed chicken, ravioli lasagna or my Spicy Cajun Pasta recipe.

copy cat panera broccoli cheddar soup