This delicious, creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup is an exact replica of Panera’s famous soup. Ladle up a bowl of veggies and cheese to enjoy a comforting quick and easy meal that will warm you up. This dinner is easy to make right in your kitchen!
Original recipe posted: January 2016 | Recipe updated: October 2019
Why This Recipe Works
I am currently being tortured, but not in the pulling-off-toenails sort of way. Sammy and I are waiting for Elijah to come back in after snowboarding and IT IS NICE OUT (er, 30 degrees)! And I WANT TO BE SKIING!
Next week I plan to bring our snow gear so Sammy and I can get out ourselves despite him being adamant that he NEVER EVER EVER wants to step foot on a ski slope.
I have a few things I’m excited about today, one of them being eating these delicious soup leftovers. Have you had Panera Bread’s famous Broccoli Cheese Soup? It is one of those soups that you just never forget once you’ve tried it. This recipe is spot on and nearly impossible to stop eating. I’m in love and will be making this again soon.
How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
Cheese, fresh broccoli and milk turn into the most creamy veggie soup!
STEP 1
Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large skillet. Add your vegetable medley: onions carrots, celery, garlic cloves and salt and black pepper. Cook until veggies are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
STEP 2
Add flour and stir until veggies are coated. Gradually add the milk, stirring after each addition. Add the chicken stock or chicken broth and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
STEP 3
Add broccoli florets and simmer (still covered) over medium-low heat for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the shredded cheese, salt and pepper. Dinner is ready when the cheese is melted.
Serve hot! If you prefer to make this soup in your Instant Pot, I have a version for you to follow. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup – Let your Instant Pot create a veggie-packed, cheesy, hearty and comforting dinner that everyone at the table will love. Done in just 20 minutes!
Recipe Notes
- For a smoother soup consistency, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. For a chunkier consistency, serve as-is.
- Transform this broccoli cheese soup into a gluten-free meal by omitting the flour! Easy peasy!
- Cauliflower, mushrooms and green peppers can be great additions to change up the soup!
- Feel free to substitute olive oil for butter.
- Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a nice little kick!
- Heavy cream can be used to replace milk if you want it thicker.
- Replace fresh garlic with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powdered, if desired.
- Bone broth can be used so you pack in healthy ingredients while enjoying each bite of cheese!
How To Add Flavor To Soup
Check out these tips to learn how to add flavor to your next batch of soup!
What To Serve With Broccoli Cheese Soup
This cheesy soup is comforting and easy to prepare. If you plan on serving it as a main dish, click over for ideas about what to serve with broccoli cheese soup!
Can I Use Frozen Broccoli
You certainly can! Since broccoli that has been frozen might cook a little quicker, as it thaws in the soup. So just keep an eye on it.
How Long Does Soup Last
You can place your room temperature soup into an air tight container for about 3-5 days.
How To Reheat Soup
I prefer reheating soup and stews or chilis on the stove top. Place your soup in the pan and reheat it over a medium low heat, stirring occasionally until its warmed through. You want to avoid scorching it with high heat.
How To Select Broccoli For Eating
When shopping for broccoli, choose firm stalks, with tight florets, and crisp green leaves. Avoid yellowed or flowering florets. The cut ends of the stalks should be fresh and moist looking.
How Much Is A Serving Of Broccoli
10 Broccoli florets is about 1 cup of broccoli.
How Many Carbs In A Cup Of Broccoli
1 cup of broccoli is approximately 10 grams of carbohydrates.
How Many Calories Are In Broccoli
Broccoli is low in calories at just 31 calories a cup but it’s also loaded with fiber.
Soups That Warm The Soul
Check out a few other hearty flavorful soups that are a dinner in themselves!
- Instant Pot Ham Bone Soup – Use your leftover ham bone to make this comforting, hearty Ham Bone Soup in your Instant Pot!
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup – This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is the BEST! It is packed with flavor, it is super easy to make and it tastes like it’s been cooked low and slow all day long.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup – Transform Chicken Fajitas into a delicious, savory soup that will quickly become a family favorite! Mix and match vegetables to your liking! Chicken Fajita Soup is great served for family dinner
- Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup – Delicious soup does not have to be difficult! This Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup tastes like the real deal, but requires half the effort.
- Loaded Potato Soup – A loaded baked potato is transformed into a warm, delicious, comforting soup! The perfect fall or winter meal!
- Butternut Squash Soup – This is the perfect, most delicious way to use up butternut squash in the fall! Butternut Squash Soup is creamy, packed with comforting flavor and super easy to prepare.
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Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (Panera Copycat)
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 large carrots peeled and julienned
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 16 oz. chicken stock or broth
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large skillet. Add onions carrots, celery, garlic, salt and pepper and cook until veggies are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add flour and stir until veggies are coated. Gradually add the milk, stirring after each addition. Add the chicken stock/broth and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Add broccoli florets and simmer (still covered) over medium-low heat for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and serve hot!
Notes
- For a smoother soup consistency, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture.
- For a chunkier consistency, serve as-is.
- Transform this broccoli cheese soup into a gluten-free meal by omitting the flour! Easy peasy!
- Cauliflower, mushrooms and green peppers can be great additions to change up the soup!
- Feel free to substitute olive oil for butter.
- Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a nice little kick!
- Heavy cream can be used to replace milk if you want it thicker. Bone broth can be used so you pack in healthy ingredients while enjoying each bite of cheese!
Sooo good!!! I made this tonight and my whole family loved it. I’m very excited for leftovers tomorrow and will be making it again soon.
I love when I find a recipe that makes me happy to eat it fresh and have leftovers. So glad it was enjoyed – thanks for sharing!
I added a can of chopped green chilis and 2 packs of the ground pepper you get from your favorite pizza delivery. It spiced it up and adds so much flavor.
Sounds amazing! Love the idea of adding green chilis!
Megan
Hello!
I really want to try this! Quick question. Do I mix the chicken stock with boiling water to reach the 16oz? Then stir in? Sorry, I’m a newbie to this cooking thing so please bare with me 🙂
Hi Ayanda! No water necessary. Just use 16 oz. of plain old chicken stock. I hope this helps! Enjoy!
Megan