This Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe tastes just like the original! Save money by making this soup at home! It serves 4 and costs just $6.40 to make!
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
I recently moved to Utah, and we are in the middle of winter. The snow has been a little bit of a shock to our systems for my family, seeing that we’ve spent the last few years in a temperate climate. We love it, but goodness, it is cold! I do not love driving in it, though.
I have found that we have been eating A LOT of soup this winter. We have some favorites that we love to get when we’re out and about.
One of them being the Broccoli Cheese Soup from Panera. But remember how I just said I do not love driving in the snow? What am I to do when I have a craving for one of my favorite soups, and it is snowing outside?
Well, I decided to come up with a copycat recipe of my favorite Broccoli Cheese Soup from Panera. The best part of this soup is that it takes less time to make this recipe than it takes actually to drive to Panera and come home, score!
My love of this soup led me to create a recipe with my own spin on it to share with my family and now with you. I really do love creating recipes that my family will enjoy.
I hope you will make this version of Panera’s Broccoli Cheese Soup for you and your family and friends to share the love with them.
What goes good with broccoli cheese soup?
Is broccoli cheddar soup vegetarian?
You would at first glance think the Broccoli Cheddar Soup is vegetarian, but it actually is not. The recipe calls for chicken broth, which is not vegetarian. You can make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth.
Can you freeze broccoli and cheese soup?
Yep! After you have cooked the soup, let it cool to room temperature and then pour it into an airtight container or freezer storage bag that you will lay flat. When you are ready to use the soup and defrost it, stir in some cheese and some additional salt and pepper.
How do you make Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup?
- First, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Next, add onions and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
- Then make a roux by stirring in the flour. Stir until the roux turns the color of peanut butter.
- Next, slowly whisk in the chicken broth and half-and-half while whisking constantly. Bring the soup to a slow bubble and then reduce the heat to simmer.
- Then stir in the broccoli florets and carrots and simmer for 15 minutes. Be sure to stir the soup every few minutes.
- Finally, stir in the cheese and salt and mix until the cheese is melted. Season with additional salt to taste and serve.
How much will this Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe cost?
RECIPE COST: $6.40
PER SERVING COST: $1.60
NOTE: The recipe prices are used calculating name brand products from Walmart’s website. The recipe’s actual cost will vary depending on what your pantry is already stocked with and current grocery prices.
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.50
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion – $0.31
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour – $0.08
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth – $0.84
- 2 cups half and half – $0.88
- 3 cups broccoli florets – $2.08
- 1 cup julienned carrots – $0.42
- 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese – $1.28
Cook’s Note:
- Make sure you don’t heat the broth and half and half too quickly because you run the half and half curdling risk.
- This recipe doubles nicely.
Cook’s Tools:
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half
- 3 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Melt butter to a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and cook until lightly golden brown on the edges and the onions are translucent about 4-5 minutes.
- Make a roux by stirring in the flour. Continue to stir and cook the flour mixture until the roux turns the color of peanut butter. This will take about 4 minutes.
- Grab a whisk and slowly pour in the chicken broth and half and half while whisking constantly. Turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the soup to a slow bubble. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to simmer.
- Stir in the broccoli florets and carrots. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the salt and cheddar cheese until the cheese is nice and melted. Season the soup to taste with additional salt. Serve.
Video
Nutrition
This Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe tastes just like the original! Save money by making this soup at home! It serves 4 and costs just $6.40 to make!
Maria says
Can I use almond or coconut flour instead of all purpose for the copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Jillian says
Hi Maria, I don’t think the almond or coconut flour will thicken the soup like all-purpose would. Sorry.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family
Lisa says
I love Panera’s broccoli cheese soup, but this recipe was so much better and cheaper!
Jillian says
I think this soup tastes better, too! Thanks for the review.
b says
Delicious Soup!
I did blend the cooled soup and then reheated it
to add the cheese. Wonderful flavor.
I made Black Russian bread to go with it.
Tricia H says
So Yummy! Made it for dinner and no leftovers!
Jillian says
No leftovers are always the sign of a great recipe. Thanks for the rating!
Doris Huddleston says
I love everything Panera Bread and I’ve always wanted to try out bread bowls, so this is a good fit! This recipe was perfect.
Jillian says
From one Panera Bread lover to another, I’m SO glad you enjoyed it!
Lori Bahn says
This was really delicious, the entire family loved it.
Antoinette M says
Delicious soup. Thanks for the recipe.
Samantha Rodriguez says
Excellent step by step recipe. My first time making it came out fantastic.
Jillian says
Fantasic! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
Trudy Wright says
I’m really excited that I found your Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup and can hardly wait to make it. I have one question, is the cheddar cheese mild, medium or sharp?
Jillian says
Use mild or medium cheddar. Enjoy!