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Filled with tender broccoli, shredded carrots, and sharp cheddar, this Broccoli Cheddar Soup brings all the comfort of Panera's version, without the price tag or drive-thru line. It's rich, creamy, and ready in under 30 minutes, making it one of those dinners that feels way fancier than it actually is.
While I love Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup, I prefer this version. It is lower in fat, calories, and sodium, yet still delivers a rich and velvety soup that rivals any restaurant.
Kristen's Keys for Broccoli Cheddar Soup
In order to deliver a broccoli cheese soup that is reminiscent of Panera's version without the excess fat and sodium, pay attention to a few key things.
- Use sharp cheddar. The bolder the cheese, the more flavor you get without needing extra butter or cream. And for the creamiest soup with a velvety texture, grate the cheese yourself.
- Use evaporated milk or half-and-half. Either will give you that velvety, restaurant-style texture without the need to use heavy cream.
- Don't skip the nutmeg. A bit of grated nutmeg (from a bulb of nutmeg, not ground nutmeg) adds warmth to the cream-based soup.
- You can use fresh or frozen broccoli. Use what you have on hand.
5-Star Review
Love love love this, been using this recipe for years now and it never disappoints!! --Jewel⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to Make Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
While this is an easy soup recipe, this step-by-step section is provided so you can experience the flavor of Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup at home!
Step One: Sauté the Onion
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat and sauté finely minced onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
👉🏻Don't rush! Make sure the onions are fully softened and translucent, as this step builds that rich, savory base and prevents that harsh onion flavor that sometimes sneaks in when you hurry.
Step Two: Make the Roux
Sprinkle in flour and whisk until it forms a thick paste (AKA a roux). Cook for about a minute to eliminate that raw flour taste.
Step Three: Whisk in Broth
Pour in the broth a little at a time, whisking after each addition until smooth. This gradual process ensures your soup thickens evenly and keeps things silky smooth.
Step Four: Add Veggies and Simmer
Stir in fresh broccoli, carrots, and seasonings. Cover and simmer for about 10-12 minutes, until the broccoli is fork-tender.
👉🏻Using Frozen Broccoli? Steam it in the microwave and stir into the soup RIGHT before serving to prevent mushy broccoli.
Step Five: Add Cream and Cheese
Lower the heat and stir in half-and-half (or evaporated milk) and shredded cheeses. Keep stirring until the cheese melts completely into the soup.
👉🏻Don't Crank the Heat! Let the soup simmer on low until the cheese is melted. Trying to speed up the process by cranking the heat can cause it to separate.
Recipe Modifications
- Gluten-Free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 Gluten-Free flour blend and ensure your broth is gluten-free.
- No Seasoned Salt? Kosher salt works fine, but seasoned salt adds depth and a little something extra.
- Have an Instant Pot? Try Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Let the soup cool slightly, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing, as the milk can separate when thawed.
- Reheat: It is best to reheat broccoli cheese soup in a small or medium saucepan over medium-low heat until warm rather than heating the soup in the microwave. Gently heating the soup will prevent the broth from separating and allow you to retain the same creamy consistency as when first prepared.
More Copycat Panera Recipes
Once you discover how easy is to make Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home, you may want to try out these other favorite copycat Panera recipes as well.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups low-sodium broth, vegetable broth or chicken stock
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets, *see recipe notes for using frozen broccoli
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg, optional
- 1½ cups half and half , or one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed soup pot. Once the butter has melted, add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onion begins to soften and become translucent.
- Once the onion has softened, sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the onions and butter and whisk together to form a thick paste or a roux. Cook for 1 minute, allowing the flour to toast lightly.
- Slowly add the 3 cups low-sodium broth, ½ cup at a time, whisking well to incorporate. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, whisking often.
- Once lightly boiling, add in 1 cup shredded carrots, 3 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, and ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and let cook for about 10 minutes, or until broccoli is cooked through.
- Once the broccoli is tender, remove the lid, and whisk in 1½ cups half and half , 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheeseAllow the soup to cook over low heat for an additional 2-5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted, whisking constantly.
- Remove the soup from the heat, taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2025.
Wow! This was soooo good! I made it because I wanted a delicious way to get some Puréed veggies for my daughter who had her wisdom teeth removed recently. We all loved it and I immediately made a second batch, and was taking tastes the whole time I was simmering it. So delicious!!!!
I love hearing how much your family enjoyed Marian--thank you for taking the time to share! I hope that your daughter's recovery goes well!
Kristen, thank you for this fantastic recipe! It was so easy to put together. I cannot have dairy, so I made this tonight as a treat for my college daughter. I added 7 oz of cooked chicken breast (shredded) at the same time as the broccoli. It worked great, and she loved it! I tasted it before adding the evaporated milk and cheeses. That tasted great too! Next time I make this, I plan to take out more of it for me before adding dairy.
I am so glad your family enjoyed! I hope you can enjoy next time (without the dairy) 🙂
Excellent! Loved it.
I am so glad you enjoyed Jean!
I added a potato and celery. This recipe was amazing definitely hit the pregnancy craving!! Thank you so much for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed so much Nikita!
Is there a way of adapting this without using the onions? I've never made as roux before, so I didn't know if I could just make the roux with just flour & butter. Can you please give me some advice for doing that?
Hi Kathy! Just omit the onions with no worries or change to the recipe at all. Enjoy!
Thanks Kristen! My family would have a fit seeing me cutting onions. They would not eat it. I was also wondering if I can sneak a bit of onion powder in? How much would you recommend?
Hi Kathy! I understand. I would recommend using 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
Do you have a version for the instant pot blender?
Hi Mary! At this time, I have not experimented with the Instant Pot blender. Sorry.
Truly one of my all-time favorites and better than the Panera recipe, if you ask me! Thank you!
I am so glad you enjoyed so much Jessica!