• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Shortcuts
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY Projects
    • Travel
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Slow Cooker Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Copycat Recipe)

    Published: Aug 23, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    broccoli and cheese soup on a spoon

    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!

    panera broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
    • Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredients
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • Recipe Tips
    • What to Serve with Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • Storing & Reheating Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • FAQs
    • More Soup Recipes
    • Recipe

    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

    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

    broccoli carrots celery and seasonings in a crockpot

    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.  

    melted butter with broccoli and carrots in a crockpot

    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.

    melted cheese in crockpot with broccoli and carrots

    Stir in the milk and cheese and let cook another hour or until the cheese is melted.

    Garnish with scallions and serve!

    broccoli cheddar soup on a ladle

    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.
    broccoli and cheese soup in a bread bowl

    FAQs

    Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

    While fresh is best, you could also use frozen but be sure to thaw out before adding to the soup.

    Can I add other vegetables to this 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

    Alison McFadden
    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.
    No ratings yet
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings

    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.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @everydayshortcuts or use #everydayshortcuts on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram to let us know!

    More Recipes

    • Strawberry Pretzel Fluff
    • American Flag Charcuterie Board
    • Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad
    • Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
    FacebookTweetPin

    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 8 Easy Chicken Freezer Meals in One Hour
    • Crock Pot Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs
    • My 3 Day Egg Fast Experience and Weight Loss
    • Copycat White Castle Sliders

    Holiday Recipes

    • 4th of July Cheesecake
    • Bomb Pop Cookies
    • Snowman Cheese Ball
    • Jingle Juice Recipe

    Footer

    Everyday shortcuts as seen on logos

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • PR Friendly

    Alison McFadden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2025 Everyday Shortcuts. All Rights Reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required