Description
This Creamy Panera-Style Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a homemade version of the beloved café classic, featuring tender broccoli and carrots in a rich, velvety cheese sauce. Perfectly thick and comforting, it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, grated
- 1 small onion, diced
Dairy and Pantry
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups half-and-half or milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cook Onion: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make Roux: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and half-and-half (or milk) until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped broccoli florets and grated carrots into the pot.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and the soup is creamy.
- Season: Season the soup with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste, stirring well to incorporate the spices.
- Serve: Serve the soup hot, optionally paired with crusty bread or in a bread bowl for an authentic café-style experience.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, let it simmer for a few additional minutes to reduce further.
- Using half-and-half gives a richer texture, but you can substitute with milk for a lighter version.
- Serving the soup in a bread bowl makes a fun and tasty presentation.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to keep the recipe vegetarian.
- Grate your own sharp cheddar cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
