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Creamy Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Copycat Recipe

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A comforting, creamy broccoli cheddar soup inspired by Panera’s version, made with simple ingredients and easy steps for a cozy homemade meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped (fresh preferred, frozen works)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup carrots, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 1 cup half-and-half (or whole milk/cream for variation)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • Optional: crusty bread for serving

Instructions

  1. Chop broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Finely dice onion and carrots. Mince garlic cloves. (About 10 minutes)
  2. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  3. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Bring to gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 8-10 minutes until thickened and veggies tender.
  5. Add chopped broccoli to simmering soup. Cook 5-7 minutes until broccoli is tender but still bright green. Optionally remove half and mash for creamier texture.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Whisk in half-and-half, dry mustard powder, and nutmeg. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Avoid boiling after cheese addition.
  7. Season with salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme if using. Warm through for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls and serve warm with crusty bread.

Notes

Add shredded cheddar slowly to warm soup to prevent graininess. Shred your own cheese for best melt and flavor. Cook broccoli just until tender-crisp to retain bright color. Adjust thickness by adding broth or simmering longer. For dairy-free, substitute half-and-half with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese. For gluten-free, replace flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, Panera copycat, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade broccoli soup

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-panera-broccoli-cheddar-soup-copycat-recipe-easy-homemade-guide/