The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup (Better-Than-Panera Copycat) — Make the best soup of your life at home in 1 hour! Beyond words amazing and WAY better than Panera!
Table of Contents
- The BEST Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients
- How to Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
- What’s the Best Cheese for Broccoli Cheese Soup?
- Can Frozen Broccoli Be Used?
- Tips for the Best Broccoli and Cheese Soup
- Recipe Video Tutorial
- The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup (Better-Than-Panera Copycat) Recipe
- More Easy Soup Recipes:
The BEST Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
This is the best broccoli cheese soup. Not only that, it’s some of the best soup I’ve ever tasted, period.
If you like Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup, this blows the pants off it.
It’s an easy soup to make and is ready in 1 hour. It’s absolutely perfect comfort food and I couldn’t stop eating it. I ate it for lunch and dinner for a couple straight days until it was gone. I loved this soup beyond words.
I kept the soup vegetarian by using low-sodium vegetable stock rather than chicken stock, and made it healthier by using fat-free half-and-half. But you’d think that it was made with heavy cream based on how thick, rich, and truly decadent it tastes.
Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients
For this better-than-Panera copycat cheesy broccoli soup recipe, you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour
- Vegetable stock
- Half and half
- Broccoli florets
- Carrots
- Spices
- Extra sharp cheddar cheese
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
This is a very easy broccoli cheddar soup recipe, but there are a few fast-moving stages. Read the recipe before you start making the soup so you know what’s coming up next.
- In a small saucepan, add a little butter, the diced onion, and sauté until the onion is translucent and barely browned.
- Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set pan aside.
- In a large heavy-bottom pot, add the remaining butter, flour, and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until flour is thickened.
- Slowly add the vegetable stock, whisking constantly.
- Slowly add the half-and-half, whisking constantly.
- Allow mixture to simmer over low heat until it has reduced and thickened some.
- Add the broccoli, carrots, and the onion and garlic you previously set aside.
- Add the spices.
- Allow soup to simmer over low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes.
- While soup simmers, grate the cheese. After simmering about 20 to 25 minutes, add most of the cheese, reserving a small amount for garnishing bowls.
Tip for Softening the Vegetables
If you prefer very soft broccoli and carrots, you can either steam them before you add them to the pot and/or make sure the broccoli florets are quite small and the carrots are cut into very thin pieces.
I’ve never found pre-steaming necessary because the soup continues to simmer for 20-25 minutes after adding the broccoli and carrots, which is ample time for me personally for them to soften to my liking. However, in case you prefer very soft vegetables, steaming and/or paying closer attention to their size is an option.
What’s the Best Cheese for Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Use a high-quality cheddar cheese that you grate yourself. Don’t use the cheapest cheese you can find because the flavor just isn’t there.
I prefer extra-sharp, although sharp may be used. Pre-grated cheese in ziptop bags is resistant to melting and won’t incorporate well.
Can Frozen Broccoli Be Used?
You could try, but it will be mushy. I hate mushy vegetables so I personally never would use frozen broccoli in this soup being that the broccoli is the star of the show.
Tips for the Best Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Broccoli: I love broccoli and used plenty because I prefer big chunks of broccoli in every bite but you can use less.
I also used some stalks to make use of the entire head and not waste any, but you can use florets only if preferred. Even people who ‘don’t like broccoli’ should love broccoli when it’s bathed in a creamy, cheesy broth.
Spices: There are a few optional spices like smoked paprika, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. They’re not mandatory if you don’t keep them on hand, but they do add extra depth of flavor, albeit subtle. The cayenne doesn’t make the soup hot in the least, it makes it not taste boring.
Recipe prep: Read the recipe at least twice before beginning because while it’s a simple soup, there are a few fast-moving stages. While one thing is simmering, you need to be chopping for the next stage, while stirring the simmering pot intermittently between chopping.
You’ll be rewarded with the best, creamiest, richest, and most amazing soup.
Recipe Video Tutorial
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The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup (Better-Than-Panera Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon + 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 small or medium sweet yellow onion, diced small
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced finely
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock, chicken stock may be substituted
- 2 cups half-and-half*
- 2 to 3 cups broccoli florets, diced into bite-size pieces + 1 cups stems, optional (I used 3 cups florets and 1 cup stems
- 2 large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and sliced into very thin rounds, about 1/16th-inch
- ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika, optional and to taste
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder, optional and to taste
- pinch cayenne pepper, optional and to taste (doesn’t make soup spicy and serves to enhance flavor)
- 8 ounces grated high quality extra-sharp cheddar cheese, with a small amount reserved for garnishing
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add 1 tablespoon butter, the diced onion, and sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and barely browned, about 4 minutes. Stir intermittently.
- Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. Remove from heat and set pan aside.
- In a large heavy-bottom pot (I use this Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 6-3/4-Quart Oval French (Dutch) Oven) add 4 tablespoons butter, flour, and cook over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes, whisking constantly, until flour is thickened. You are making a roux and it’s very important the mixture is thick or soup will never thicken properly later.
- Slowly add the vegetable stock, whisking constantly.
- Slowly add the half-and-half, whisking constantly.
- Allow mixture to simmer over low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened some. Whisk intermittently to re-incorporate the ‘skin’ that inevitably forms, this is normal.
- While mixture is simmering, chop the broccoli and carrots. After simmering 15 to 20 minutes, add the broccoli, carrots, and the onion and garlic you previously set aside.
- Add the salt, pepper, optional paprika, optional dry mustard powder, and optional cayenne. If you don’t have these seasonings on hand, it’s okay, but they do add subtle depth of flavor. Stir to combine.
- Allow soup to simmer over low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened some. Whisk intermittently to re-incorporate the ‘skin’ that inevitably forms, this is normal.
- While soup simmers, grate the cheese. It’s important to use a high-quality cheese (not the cheapest thing you can find) because the flavor of the soup depends on it. Do not use pre-grated cheese in ziptop bags because that cheese is resistant to melting and won’t incorporate well. After simmering about 20 to 25 minutes, add most of the cheese, reserving a small amount for garnishing bowls. Stir in the cheese until melted and incorporated fully, less than 1 minute.
- Transfer soup to bowls, garnish with reserved cheese, and serve immediately. Soup will keep airtight for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave. I find the soup is less likely to ‘break’ or separate when reheated in the micro rather than on the stovetop, but do what you think is best. I don’t recommend freezing the soup because I feel like the cheese and half-and-half will not do well upon thawing and soup could break, but I haven’t actually tried freezing it.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Omg I love Panera’s soup. I am so making this!!
LMK how it goes!
This is the ONLY soup I get at Panera’s! I like the others but can’t resist this one. I’m making this soon! That way I can have it all the time! :)
LMK how it goes and yes now you can can have it all the time!
So, you’re saying you liked it then? ;)
This really does sound fantastic. I’m trying to think of what I could use instead of the half and half which really does a number on me. I bet those Silk coffee creamers would be good. I’m also thinking that I could just leave the fake cheese out, and just make it a creamy broccoli soup. I don’t love the taste of cheese anyway.
No, get Daiya and get So Delicious creamer. It will be PERFECT. You HAVE TO make this recipe as directed to experience the amazingness, cannot skip things on this one my friend :)
Panera broccoli cheddar soup is MY FAV! And GIMME all the broccoli! I love it raw or cooked and especially covered in cheese. Great recipe, Averie!
Girl, you’re killing me! Now I have to make this to go with the beer bread that I can’t stop eating.
LOL! It would be perfect with the beer bread! Enjoy :)
wow this soup looks awesome…I’ve never had Panera’s version but this looks so good. I never buy soup because it always tastes way too salty for me..so I love to find new recipes to make. Today was 12 below so I’m adding this to my to do list.
12 below…dear Lord, stay warm! And I am soooooo with you on soups when out and the salt level. I am extremely, highly sodium sensitive and have to be super careful and prepared soups are pretty much out of the question for me, which is why this one was just so amazing. Low sodium veg stock was perfect for me! And there’s salt in the cheese and you can add salt too as necessary for those who aren’t as sensitive and like a good salty soup :)
You had me at “Better-Than-Panera”!!!
Good :)
Sweet Lord that looks amazing. I have to add the ingredients to my grocery list!
Mmm, I love soup. My fave at Panera is their pumpkin soup with roasted squash seeds, in case you are inspired to make another copycat recipe–but this looks delish.
I have found the same thing to be true about cheese–I use extra-sharp Cheddar for the flavor and grating my own instead of using pre-grated tastes so much better. Good tips, Averie!
Glad you think my cheese tips are right on. Cheese in bags is convenient IF you aren’t super concerned about meltability factor. But if you want it to melt, meh, I’ve had some dicey situations so I always grate my own!
Okay that is good to know about that other Panera soup. I’ve never had it and I wonder if it’s seasonal being that it’s pumpkin, probably is. I will investigate next fall!
This is my daughter and mom’s favorite soup at Panera. I have broccoli in refrig now, so I’ll be making this for upcoming week. Will report back. But I have never been disappointed with your recipes, so I expect it will be delish. Thanks.
Please do LMK how it goes and how wonderful that you will be sharing it with your mom AND your daughter…that is so nice!
Looks like Saturday lunch to me!!
I LOVE cheese in any shape or form! Must try it with broccoli soup, especially now when weather weather forcast says it is going to snow. Pinned!
Thanks for pinning!
Wow, this looks amazing, I’ll be sure to use it in the future!
XOXO, A
http://www.bundleofchoi.weebly.com
Best ever?!? I’m all over this. Broccoli and cheddar soup is one of my favorites!!
Oh my cheesy goodness–this looks fantastic! It’s still below zero here so this is perfect right now. Jon just said he’d love this for lunch tomorrow…and I love perusing the new cheese shop in Kroger so I’m sure I can find a nice extra sharp cheddar. I love all of your soup recipes!
If you try this, please LMK! Hope you had fun cheese shopping and are somehow staying warm in that horrible weather!
Yuuuuuuum, my favorite soup! It looks so delicious!
And thanks for pinning! Happy New Year :)