
Panera Bread’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Let's make Panera Bread's Famous Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home and even better! Broccoli and carrots simmered in a creamy and cheesy sauce - the best way to get your veggies in.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1/2 cup onions diced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk whole or 2%
- 2 cups broccoli chopped into small pieces
- 2 cups carrots shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- dash of nutmeg
- dash of cayenne powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste (I used 1 teaspoon)
- 2 1/4 cups cheddar shredded
Instructions
- Over medium heat in a large pot or dutch oven, add olive oil, garlic, and onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are translucent and golden. Transfer to a small bowl or plate and set aside.
- To the same pot or dutch oven, add butter. Once melted, sprinkle the flour in. Keep whisking until it is smooth and starts to bubble, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and milk. Whisk together. Then add back the onion and garlic mixture along with the broccoli, carrots, mustard powder, smoked paprika, dash of nutmeg, and a dash of cayenne. Whisk again, drop heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
- Remove the lid and add the cheddar cheese. Mix together. Then add black pepper and salt to taste. Stir.
- Pour into bowls and serve with crispy bread to dip in!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Is that bacon as a topping?
Yes, beef bacon! so good with the soup but not necessary
My family loved it! This is a good starter recipe to introduce cooking to those who aren’t familiar around the kitchen 🙂
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it Tina 🙂
Made this tonight for supper and it went down a treat! Added some potatoes just for a bit extra and everyone loved it can’t wait to make it again.
Hi Rhianna! I definitely have to try the addition of potatoes next. That sounds incredible. So happy you loved it.
Do you have this recipe for a crock pot? Would love to make it in a crock pot since I’m always on the and never at home. ☹ thank you again for all your wonderful recipes. 🙂
Do you think it would be ok to use veg broth
Hey! Yes, of course. That’s perfectly fine.
I just made this, and it is so good! It tastes exactly like Panera Bread.
Thank you Cassandra! That’s the biggest compliment. So happy you enjoyed.
So goooooooooood!!!! Thank you.
AHH YESS! so happy you enjoyed
Just made this for our family and everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing!
The best comfort soup I have ever made! Saw it on TikTok and decided to make for my friends. They all loved it ☺️
Hi Gabrielle! So happy to hear it was a success. Thank you for the lovely feedback 🙂