How To Make: Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Copycat)

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk

Coconut milk is lower in calories and adds a creamy texture, while milk is more budget-friendly.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast is lower in fat and adds a cheesy flavor, while processed cheese is often cheaper.

Remove the stem from 2 heads of broccoli and chop them.

Boil water in a pot, adding salt to the bottom.

Add the chopped broccoli and 1 cup of frozen broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.

Remove the broccoli from the water and let it cool before chopping it up.

In a pan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat.

Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 small diced onion, and 1/2 cup of diced carrots to the pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Stir in 1/2 cup of flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux.

Gradually add 4 cups of vegetable broth in two parts, stirring to avoid clumps.

Let the mixture simmer until it thickens up.

Add spices: onion powder, garlic powder, and white ground pepper to taste.

Stir in 2 cups of half-and-half and 1 cup of whole milk, simmering for 5-10 minutes.

Lower the heat and add 3 cups of cheese (2 cups sharp cheddar and 1 cup four cheese blend), stirring until melted for about 5 minutes.

Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and cayenne to taste, mixing well.

Serve the soup in a bowl and enjoy with homemade garlic bread.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens