This Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is an easy, delicious, and cozy meal – just toss the ingredients in a slow cooker and return to a warm, cheesy soup.
During the winter months, there’s nothing quite like a warm and comforting bowl of soup. For me, Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is my go to.
The combination of the smooth cheddar cheese and tender broccoli florets with a slice of crusty bread is simply irresistible. It’s a match made in heaven!
With this copycat recipe being incredibly easy to make at home there is no need to wait in long lines or spend extra money at a restaurant. You can whip up a batch right in your kitchen anytime you get a craving.
What sets this recipe apart from others is that you have complete control of what goes in your soup and can customize it according to your taste preferences.
Not only does this recipe offer flexibility, but it also packs an incredible amount of flavor. The creamy texture and rich flavors of this soup make it the ultimate comfort food.
While it’s perfect on its own as a comforting meal during those chilly winter evenings, you can also serve it as an appetizer in a bread bowl or pair it with other dishes for a more substantial meal.
So grab a spoon and get ready to dig in!
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Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Rich and creamy!
- Easy to make with simple ingredients!
- Budget-friendly!
- Customizable!
- Family favorite!
- Can be made ahead!
- Freeze for meal prep!
- Great as leftovers!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredients
- Onion, chopped
- Fresh broccoli, chopped
- Matchstick carrots
- Celery, sliced thin
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken stock
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Scallions for garnish
Recipe Variations
- Add some heat with sliced jalapenos on top or a dash of red pepper flakes.
- Make it creamier by stirring in some cream cheese and allowing to melt towards the end of cooking.
- Experiment with vegetables. Try adding cauliflower, spinach etc. to mix things up.
- Try different kinds of cheeses or a combination.
- Get creative with your toppings such as adding crumbled bacon, fresh herbs or toasted breadcrumbs for some crunch.
- Make it Gluten-Free. Swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour when making the roux (the butter and flour mixture used as a thickener) and any other ingredients.
How to Make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Add the onion, broccoli, carrots, celery, salt, pepper and chicken stock to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours.
After the soup is done cooking, melt the butter in the microwave using a microwave safe bowl. Whisk flour into the butter until combined. Add to the slow cooker and whisk together.
Stir in the milk and cheese and let cook another hour or until the cheese is melted.
Garnish with scallions and serve!
Recipe Tips
- You can serve this in a bread bowl.
- If you want thicker soup, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup water and stir into the soup.
- Use fresh ingredients to get the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook the broccoli as it will result in mushy broccoli.
- Customize your seasonings to suit your taste buds.
- For a creamier consistency, blend the soup mixture with an immersion blender.
What to Serve with Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This creamy and comforting soup pairs nicely with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas you can serve alongside this delicious soup.
- Crusty Bread: Baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough loaf are great crusty breads to dip into your soup.
- Salad: A simple green salad with crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and tangy vinaigrette can provide a nice contrast in textures and flavors.
- Grilled Cheese: Either a classic grilled cheese sandwich or an Air Fryer Caprese Grilled Cheese is a great companion to the creamy soup.
Storing & Reheating Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Thaw out in fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Heat to desired temperature in microwave or on stovetop.
FAQs
While fresh is best, you could also use frozen but be sure to thaw out before adding to the soup.
Of course! Feel free to add any other vegetables you’d like in the soup. Cauliflower is a great option along with potatoes.
More Soup Recipes
- Minestrone Soup
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Lasagna Soup
Recipe
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 1 small onion chopped
- 4 cups of fresh broccoli chopped
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 stalk of celery sliced thin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken stock
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- Scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Add the onion, broccoli, carrots, celery, salt, pepper and chicken stock to your slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours.
- After the soup is done cooking, melt the butter in the microwave using a microwave safe bowl. Whisk flour into the butter until combined. Add to the slow cooker and whisk together.
- Stir in the milk and cheese and let cook another hour or until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with scallions and serve!
Notes
- To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Thaw out in fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Heat to desired temperature in microwave or on stovetop.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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