Soups & Stews

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

... from Aunt Sandy's Kitchen

• Serves: 8 servings
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 25 minutes

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This Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, comforting classic made with tender broccoli florets, shredded carrots, and a smooth, velvety cheddar cheese base. Rich, buttery, and perfectly seasoned with a hint of Dijon mustard and hot sauce, it’s the ultimate cozy soup for any time of year — hearty, flavorful, and absolutely perfect for dipping warm, crusty bread into every cheesy bite.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter (4 tablespoon)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1½ cups grated Cheddar cheese, (optional: more for topping when serving)
• 8 ounces processed (Velveeta) Cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 cup matchstick-cut carrots, roughly chopped
• 2-2½ cups chicken stock
• 3 cups chopped broccoli
• ½ cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Finely chop small onion.
2. Wash and chopped the broccoli into small florets.
3. Roughly chop matchstick-cut carrots.
4. Grate 1½ cups of cheddar cheese.
5. Cut up cubes of Velveeta.
6. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat melt the butter.
7. Add to the melted butter the onion and sauté till translucent (see-through) - about 5 minutes.
8. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to the sauté onions and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to make the Roux.
9. Whisk in the milk, mustard, and hot sauce so we don't have so many clumps.
10. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once the Roux comes to a boil you can adjust the thickness.
11. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick and creamy - 6 to 8 minutes.
12. Stir in grated cheddar and cubes of Velveeta, and cook stirring constantly until melted.
13. Watch your heat ... don't let it get too hot.
14. Add chicken stock, heavy cream, carrots, broccoli, and cook until broccoli is tender - 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
15. Taste and if needed season to taste with additional salt and pepper - cook for 2 minutes more.
16. Remove from heat and serve with bread and more cheese on top - both optional.

Enjoy!