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Description
Recreate the beloved Panera Bread Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home. This easy recipe delivers a rich, cheesy, and comforting soup perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets (from about 1 lb broccoli)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in broccoli florets and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until broccoli is tender.
- While the soup simmers, prepare a roux: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk to the roux until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Carefully transfer the soup mixture to a blender (in batches if necessary) or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth.
- Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in the milk and flour mixture, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the soup is heated through and slightly thickened. Do not boil.
- Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, use less milk or add more cheese.
- Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
- Garnish with extra shredded cheddar cheese or chopped fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: creamy broccoli cheddar soup, panera copycat recipe, homemade broccoli cheese soup, easy soup recipe, comfort food, winter soup, meal prep soup, fresh broccoli soup, cheddar cheese soup