Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2024)

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This flavorful Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe tastes just like the original. Filled with hearty ingredients it’s sure to be a hit!

If you love the restaurant version, this soup, similar to our Broccoli Cheese Soup is a MUST-TRY for soup season.

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (1)

We Love Broccoli Soup!

One of my favorite soups is Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe. It’s different from our classic Broccoli Cheese Soup, but just as good!!

Why we love it:

  • Easy. This soup comes together with a few steps and is ready to enjoy in only 45 minutes!
  • Delicious. The combination of cheese and broccoli makes this soup irresistible!! Top it off with croutons – you won’t regret it.
  • Serve all year. This copycat soup is creamy and tastes like heaven in a Bread Bowl or served up with some fresh Dinner rolls.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2)

Ingredients

  • butter
  • all-purpose flour the flour is used to make a roux which is the base for a thick and creamy soup.
  • half and half – or heavy cream
  • chicken stock – or chicken broth. To make this vegetarian use vegetable broth.
  • broccoli florets – you can also use frozen broccoli. Chop it and let it thaw and come to room temperature before adding it to the soup.
  • matchstick carrots
  • sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded is best since the pre-shredded cheese does always melt as well.
  • garlic salt and pepper to taste
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (3)

How to Make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

  1. ROUX. Whisk ⅓ cup butter in a large pot over medium heat, until melted. Whisk in flour and cook for a few minutes to create a roux.
  2. SAUCE. Pour half and half into the flour mixture gradually, making sure to whisk as you pour. Add chicken stock to the mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until thickened.
  3. VEGGIES. Add broccoli and carrots and simmer until the vegetables are tender (which takes an additional 20 minutes or so).
  4. CHEESE. Stir shredded cheddar cheese into the vegetable mixture and stir until the cheese melts.
  5. ENJOY! Season with garlic salt and pepper to taste. We love to add more sharp cheddar cheese on top or even Croutons.

Make it In the Crock Pot

  1. Melt an additional 1 tablespoon of butter in your slow cooker. Once melted, add the broccoli, carrots, and broth to the crock pot.
  2. Cook on LOW for 4 hours. Turn slow cooker to HIGH.
  3. Create a roux by melting butter in a small pot on medium heat. Whisk in flour once the butter is melted and stir and cook for a few minutes. Ladle one cup of the broth mixture into the roux and stir.
  4. Pour this into the slow cooker and add the half and half, cheese, garlic salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional hour on HIGH in the slow cooker.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (4)

Recipe Tips

  • Add a protein. Chicken is a great addition and makes the soup even heartier. You can use our Shredded Chicken Recipe and add about 1½ – 2 cups to the soup.
  • Extra flavor. Throw in some diced onion when adding the veggies. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg, paprika, or a splash of hot sauce.
  • Gluten-free. Replace the flour roux with a cornstarch slurry to achieve a creamy texture that is also gluten-free. Make the soup as directed but omit the flour. Toward the end of the cooking time mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water, then add it to the soup. Simmer activate and let the slurry thicken the soup.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (5)

Storing Info

  • STORE. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. For best results, reheat on the stovetop but the microwave works well too.
  • FREEZE. Let it cool completely and then fill freezer-safe container with the cooled soup. Lay it flat and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
    • To reheat, cook on low heat on the stove. Stir occasionally to help all the ingredients reincorporate well.

For More Soups:

Ham and Potato Soup

30 mins

Recipe Video

Chicken Tortilla Soup

4 hrs 15 mins

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Lasagna Soup

50 mins

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

32 mins

Recipe Video

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (10)

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (11)

5 from 22 votes

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

This flavorful Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe tastes just like the original. Filled with hearty ingredients it's sure to be a hit!

Servings: 6

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 40 minutes mins

Total: 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • cup butter
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups half and half
  • 3 cups chicken stock (plus more if needed)
  • cups broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1 cups matchstick carrots
  • 3-4 cups sharp cheddar cheese. shredded
  • garlic salt and pepper season to taste

Instructions

  • Whisk ⅓ cup butter in a large pot over medium heat, until melted.

  • Whisk in flour and cook for a few minutes to create a roux.

  • Pour half and half into the flour mixture gradually, making sure to whisk as you pour. Add chicken stock to the mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until thickened.

  • Add broccoli and carrots and simmer until the vegetables are tender (which takes an additional 20 minutes or so).

  • Stir shredded cheddar cheese into the vegetable mixture and stir until the cheese melts.

  • Season with garlic salt and pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

STORE. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. For best results, reheat on the stovetop but the microwave works well too.

FREEZE. Let it cool completely and then fill freezer-safe container with the cooled soup. Lay it flat and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat, cook on low heat on the stove. Stir occasionally to help all the ingredients reincorporate well.

Nutrition

Calories: 566kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 45g, Saturated Fat: 27g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 135mg, Sodium: 689mg, Potassium: 537mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 5113IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 567mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: American Recipes, Chicken, Cuisines, Fall, Main Dishes, Recipes, Seasonal Recipes, Soups, Winter

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

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Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (17)

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Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is in Panera broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Milk, Chicken Stock (Chicken Base [Chicken Meat Including Chicken Juices, Salt, Chicken Fat, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Potato Flour, Carrot Powder, Turmeric]), Water, Broccoli, Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Whey, Whey Protein ...

Is Panera broccoli cheddar soup unhealthy? ›

Broccoli is rarely a bad idea, since this veggie contains fiber, vitamins, and compounds that can lower your risk of cancer. But things head in a surprisingly poor nutritional direction with the Broccoli Cheddar Soup at Panera. Besides its 11 grams of saturated fat, this soup is suffused with sodium.

What is broccoli cheddar soup made of? ›

Flour: This broccoli Cheddar soup starts with a roux made with all-purpose flour and butter. Milk: A cup of milk is whisked into the roux, creating a rich and velvety soup. Stock: Use store-bought or homemade chicken stock. Vegetables: You'll need an onion, carrots, celery, and (of course) broccoli.

What is the healthiest soup at Panera Bread? ›

The next time you find yourself going for the infamous Panera broccoli cheddar soup, try out the cream of chicken and wild rice instead. This healthier option is lower in calories, fat, and carbs, but the flavors are just as satisfying. Plus, the long grain and wild rice are great for protein and healthy carbs.

Why is Panera's broccoli cheddar soup so good? ›

If it's been a minute since you've had Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar Soup, let me tell you everything that they do right: this soup is velvety, lightweight, and smooth; the broccoli florets are perfectly sized and many come whole; and the addition of shredded carrots bring out a whole new depth of flavor that sets it ...

Does Panera make their own soup? ›

That Soup Isn't Made In-House

It may taste homemade, but that Panera soup wasn't actually prepared by the workers at your local shop. "The soups are made at a factory/plant/etc., flash-frozen, shipped to us, and we thaw it out in what's called a thermalizer, essentially a soup-thawer," says one former employee.

What is the unhealthiest soup? ›

Just avoid these five soups listed below, and swap them out for the healthier alternatives we've provided:
  1. Clam chowder. Anything with the word "chowder" in it is probably going to be high in cream, fat, and calories. ...
  2. Potato soup. ...
  3. Lobster bisque. ...
  4. Chili. ...
  5. Broccoli and cheese soup.
Jan 12, 2012

Is Panera getting rid of broccoli cheddar soup? ›

“Panera will absolutely be serving longtime guest favorites like sourdough on sandwiches and via its iconic sourdough bread bowl and other longtime favs like French onion soup, broccoli cheddar soup, Toasted Frontega Chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, the kitchen sink cookie and more,” a Panera spokesperson clarified, ...

Why is my cheese clumping in broccoli cheddar soup? ›

If heated too high, you risk clumping and if too low, not melting properly. With soup, you might be able to fix it with an immersion blender, or you might not. At a temperature of 150 or so, the protein bonds in the cheese break down and as a result, too much fo the moisture escapes too quickly.

Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste gritty? ›

The temperature you cook Broccoli Cheese Soup at is key to making sure it doesn't end up grainy or curdled. Medium heat is best for dairy-based soups so it doesn't boil and curdle.

Is broccoli cheddar good for you? ›

Broccoli is loaded with vitamin C and K, potassium, and fiber, offering numerous health benefits like improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and boosted immunity. Cheddar cheese, provides a good dose of protein, calcium, and other essential minerals.

Is Panera Bread healthier than McDonald's? ›

Is Panera really healthier than McDonald's? ​A new study has found that meals served at fast-casual restaurants such as Panera Bread Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which are often perceived as healthier options, contain more calories than meals at fast-food restaurants like McDonald's.

Who makes Panera soups? ›

Blount Fine Foods, formerly Blount Seafood, is a prepared foods and soup manufacturer that produces wholesale frozen and fresh soups under the Blount brand as well as Panera Bread and Legal Sea Foods. Blount Fine Foods is headquartered in Fall River, Massachusetts with a production facility in Warren, Rhode Island.

Is Panera broccoli soup healthy? ›

With its rich and creamy texture, it offers a comforting and hearty meal option. However, it is important to be mindful of the nutrition facts when consuming this soup regularly. While it is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it is also relatively high in calories, fat, and sodium.

Does Panera Bread broccoli cheddar soup have meat? ›

The broccoli-cheddar soup served at Panera is not vegetarian. It is listed as such in the menu that is displayed in every bakery-café. Basically, the soup has a beef base to give it flavor and add substance to the soup itself.

Why is Panera broccoli cheddar soup not vegetarian? ›

One major complaint people have about the soup is that it is not vegetarian because it is made with chicken stock. I've called for vegetable broth here, although you could certainly use chicken stock if the vegetarian factor isn't a priority for you.

Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›

Broccoli Cheddar Soup is not only delicious but nutritious as well. Broccoli is loaded with vitamin C and K, potassium, and fiber, offering numerous health benefits like improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and boosted immunity.

Why is Panera broccoli cheddar not vegetarian? ›

Why is Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup not vegetarian? Panera makes their traditional version with chicken stock, making the soup neither vegetarian or vegan.

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