This CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe will be a hit with you I promise. If you love Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup you are going to be amazed on how easy it is to make at home. After enjoying the CopyCat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich the other day I was ready to make some of my favorite CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup to pair up with the sandwich for our lunch today. I made this recipe back in December to share with all of you and forgot to place it on the blog. That was a big mistake as this soup is now my favorite soup. Since my photography skills have gotten better lol, I took a new picture of the CopyCat Panera Broccoli Soup we enjoyed today. Trust me the other pictures were not so good ha ha.
CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
But back to the soup… Brocccoli Soup has always been a hit in our house. I love ordering a bowl at every restaurant we eat at (if on the menu). Up until making this recipe back in December Kroger Broccoli Soup was my brand I enjoyed at home. I could never find a quick and easy canned Broccoli Soup that we really liked. Kroger brand can get quite expensive and picking up Panera Broccoli Soup can cost a small fortune to feed my crew.
I had set out to make a CopyCat of my favorite Broccoli Soup.. Panera Bread. I was amazed that this recipe turned out PERFECT. I no longer needed to head to Panera bread to enjoy my favorite soup. I can now just whip up this CopyCat Panera Broccoli Soup right at home.
I love making this Broccoli Soup recipe as everything is fresh. I usually have to pick up some fresh broccoli and fresh carrots (which is usually when I spot a great sale). I usually have everything else on hand in the pantry and fridge.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 chopped Onion
1/4 cup melted Butter
1/4 cup Flour
2 cup Half and Half
2 cup Chicken Stock
2 large bunches Broccoli
2 Carrots
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
8 oz shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Cut carrots into small strips.
Break apart broccoli florets into small pieces.
Saute Onion in 1 tbsp of melted butter until transparent.
Make a roux using remainder of melted butter and flour. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat.
Add in half and half stirring constantly.
Add in chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add vegetables and cook for 25 minutes over low heat.
If you want a smooth soup, at this point puree in a blender and return to heat or use immersion blender.
Add cheese and nutmeg.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
If you are looking to make a great soup and sandwich for lunch or dinner give this CopyCat Panera Broccoli Soup and the CopyCat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich a try. You can have Panera Bread at home for a fraction of the cost.
CopyCat Recipes are a great way to enjoy your favorite restaurant foods at home. The savings will really add up. Eating out can really break a bunch if done too frequently. Check out some of my other great CopyCat Recipes to help you with savings. I have made a great CopyCat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich, CopyCat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade, CopyCat Starbucks Lemon Loaf, CopyCat Bonefill Grill Bang Bang Shrimp, CopyCat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, CopyCat Wendy’s Chili, CopyCat Red Robin Freckled Lemonade and the CopyCat Shamrock Shake.
CopyCat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 chopped Onion
- 1/4 cup melted Butter
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 2 cup Half and Half
- 2 cup Chicken Stock
- 2 large bunches Broccoli
- 2 Carrots
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 8 oz shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut carrots into small strips.
- Break apart broccoli florets into small pieces.
- Saute Onion in 1 tbsp of melted butter until transparent.
- Make a roux using remainder of melted butter and flour. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Add in half and half stirring constantly.
- Add in chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add vegetables and cook for 25 minutes over low heat.
- If you want a smooth soup, at this point puree in a blender and return to heat or use immersion blender.
- Add cheese and nutmeg.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
what is half and half ??? this recipe sounds delicious but i never heard of this item
Half and half is like heavy cream. You will find it in th dairy section.
Half & half can be found in the milk section of your local grocery store. It is a type of creamer for coffee that doesn’t make it super sweet. We’ve used it for years. (: Hope this helps!
If you’re living outside the US your local grocery store may not carry half and half. Half and half is 10-12% milk fat so when looking on the back of the cream variations in your store’s dairy section the equivalent will be something that has 10-12g of fat. If you go a little over with the amount of fat you shouldn’t have any problems, but if you go too far under the flavor and consistency may change.
It’s like a thick milk. It’s right with all the coffee creamers. I cook with it a lot!!
Your recipes are awesome. Please, please, do a copycat of Applebee’s cheese Queso. They don’t carry it anymore, and it’s a favorite!
I just wanted to let you know how much my family enjoyed this recipe. We had it twice this week. My picky 3 year old can’t get enough!
Mmmm! This is my absolute favorite at Panera! It LOOKS just like it! Pinning so I can try it! Thanks for sharing!
-Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com
Half and half , in the dairy section, is half cream/half milk. The cream makes it thicker and creamer for the cream soup. Not low calorie, but makes it delicious!
Are you kidding me!? This looks amazing!!!! With the temps dropping I’m going to have to try this. I’ve seen some copy cat recipes but not with whole, real ingredients like yours! I’m excited to try it. I found you through the Works for Me Wednesdays link party. Glad I did! :)
Would it work to use whole milk instead of half & half? That is what I have on hand. Wondering if it would significantly alter the consistency. Thanks!
Whole milk will work fine, just use a little more butter
This soup is so rich and delicious, I really need to make this one. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Hope to see you again real soon,
Miz Helen
How much does this recipe feed?
So glad it is cooling down some outside, because this soup looks amazing, and I need to put it on our weekly menu! I would love if you would stop by and share this post at my blog party, Celebrate It! It’s all about celebrating the everyday things we do!
http://thefreshmancook.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrate-it-blog-party-12.html
Hope to see you there!
Can I use frozen chopped broccoli florets? If so, how much? Also, could this be made in the crockpot?
I use frozen broccoli florets when I make mine. I cut the florets into smaller pieces so it cooks through. I use 2 small bags but it really depends on how chunky you want your soup. I also add crushed garlic to the onions and butter. 😊
This recipe is amazing! Tastes just like Panera’s! Thanks!
Can you freeze this soup after it is made? thanks! love it.. did you some 1/2 and 1/2 and some milk as I made a double batch and did not have enough 1/2 and 1/2… thanks! Donna
Easy and delicious!
This was so on point!! It’s such a hit. My fiancé and I love it. Thank you!!
Made this last night and I was nervous since i’ve heard making soup can be a challenge but i’m so happy it turned out delicious! The only thing i did different was i added 2 cloves of minced garlic to the onions when i sautéed them. For those asking how much it serves, it made about 4 big bowls worth for me! I already have plans to make it again this week, just have to buy some more cheese!
This soup is pretty delicious. I just made it last night. Personally, I would add more cheddar to it. That makes it taste more “spot on”. But that’s just me…I’m kinda cheesy like that. ?
Can this be made in a crockpot?
Hi, this recipe is good with a few alterations. First, do not use all the broccoli because it will be all broccoli and a little soup. Second, add a little more chicken broth or half and half. Lastly add more cheese. Other than that it is very good.
Did you make it in the crock pot?
Yes, but it wasn’t thick enough so I added some cornstarch but then it tasted like the cornstarch didn’t get mixed up.
Did not like the added nutmeg, had an absolutely terrible after taste.
Can you puree the broccoli or do you recommend keeping the florets?
I made this soup today and it is absolutely delicious! The only thing I did differently was omit the nutmeg (because I don’t have any). I used to go to Panera just for their broccoli cheese soup and now I have no reason to go. Thanks for a great recipe!
I made this recipe yesterday and it was delicious! Now I have no reason to go to Panera lol
What pots and pans do you use? Do you make the roux in the same frying pan you sautéed the onion or do you make it separate?
I made the roux in same pot that I sauté the onion, did exact amounts of butter and flour. Don’t know what happened, but after following the rest of the steps, the soup had an odd texture and actually had a bit of flour taste!. We were a bit disappointed !
I’m alittle nervous about making this. I made one a handful of years ago and it turned out horrible. Few questions I have about this as I’m making it now. When simmering the half and half and broth I am getting a film on top that looks almost like scalded milk. Is that normal? Also at anytime should the soup be covered while simmering? Fingers crossed it turns out as good as it looks.
Where do you get that bread from? What is it called?
Came out amazing. … i doubled the recipe so i can have left overs. Made my own chicken broth. But followed exactly how to make it. Will make again….
Easy to make. Simple ingrediants. And amazing flavor!! Now if I only had a bread bowl!!
How many people does this recipe feed!
Omg! I don’t usually comment on recipes, but this was amazing! My son said”you nailed it!” I did not have nutmeg in the house so I omitted that. Soup really did taste like panera! Thanks!!!!!
Really Great soup! I hate altering recipes, but when I had it all in the pot simmering it looked like it was perfect, but I needed to add volume to feed everyone so in a separate pot I made more base, 2 tbsp flour 2 tbsp butter and 1 cup each of broth and half and half and added another 4 ounces or so of cheese and just added to my soup and it came out great! Thanks for the recipe, I’ll def make it again this winter.
How many people does this recipe feed?
This was delicious, my family ate it up! Thanks.
How many people will this recipe feed? I’m making it for a potluck. Thanks!
How many servings do you get from this recipe?
We barely got 3.
I make this often but I use 1/2 broccoli and 1/2 cauliflower…love it! This soup freezes well too…for those busy evenings or weekends.
Made this soup and added more chicken broth to liquify more. It was delicious will make again. Pan eras soup is my fav thanks for sharing
Made this soup and it’s so yummy. I’ll be making it all the time. Thanks
if you are vegetarian can this be made with vegetable broth and also how do i get the bread bowls what type of bread do I get or can I get a recipe to bake my own.. thanks I love broccoli soup can’t wait to see if I can mke this
How much soup does this make? Can I use frozen broccoli?
I’m so disappointed my husband followed the recipe exactly as it said and there wasn’t even enough for 3 whole servings.
This looks so good!! I live 4 hrs from the nearest Panera and I can’t wait to try making this at home :) I’d love to make it for my son’s birthday party in a few weeks and I was wondering if I could make it in the Crock-Pot and what steps I’d have to follow to get the same out come. Mmm!!!
Did anyone else find that it was way too much broccoli for the amount Of liquid? It wasn’t really soupy. I had to add a lot more half and half and stock.
Omg! I just made this today and it’s soooooooo good!!! Thank you!
I made this today and it was way too thick and had no flavor except carrots. I couldn’t taste broccoli or cheese at all. And I followed the recipe exactly, no substitutions.
I did not add the nutmeg and I chopped the broccoli very small and did not use as much as recipe called for . This is really close to Panera and we all liked it. It is even better the next day. I will make this again, but I will double the recipe. Thank you Jen for this recipe.
So glad you found a variation you liked best Vadette! I am about to make a batch this weekend for when allt he cold and snow hit us here in Cincy. Have a great weekend.
Oh my goodness! This soup rocks. Big fan of the Panera version and this is equal to it! I made a recipe and a half and we had plenty and enough for lunch the next day. Rich and delicious, perfect blend of flavors. I finally found my go to broccoli cheddar soup recipe. Thanks for sharing!
How many does it serve?
excellent. used homemade chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream and one cup 2% milk in place of half and half. Made this as an appetizer and seconds were requested by all! Will be making again.