Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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.

Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and celery, cook until tender and transparent for about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and cook for one additional minute. When finished cooking, remove from the pan and set aside.

Melt the remaining ½ cup of butter in the pan and whisk in ½ cup of flour until thoroughly combined, for about one minute.

Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. The mixture should be smooth and thick.

Add the chicken broth, broccoli, carrots, cooked onions, garlic, and celery.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for about 30 minutes or until the broccoli and carrots are tender, uncovered.

Remove from the heat and add the cheese, salt, and pepper and stir until melted and evenly distributed.

Place half of the soup in a blender and give a few quick pulses, then return to the pan.

Serve with a side of sourdough bread or in a sourdough bread bowl for a classic Panera-style meal.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens