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–+ servings

Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

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This comforting and creamy broccoli cheese soup captures the essence of your favorite café, loaded with vibrant broccoli and rich cheeses, perfect for chilly evenings or family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Vegetables & Broth
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces; reserve 1/2 cup for later) Reserve half for garnish
  • 2 cups chicken broth Can substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option
  • 1 cup fresh carrots (shredded)
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 2 large cloves garlic (minced)
Dairy
  • 1 heaping cup cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping, freshly grated)
  • 1 heaping cup regular asiago cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings & Miscellaneous
  • 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, broccoli (leave out the reserved 1/2 cup), diced onions, shredded carrots, and minced garlic. Heat over medium-high until boiling, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 7 minutes, ensuring the broccoli is tender and onions are soft. Set this mixture aside.
  2. In a separate large pot, melt the butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour constantly until smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat.
Cooking
  1. Gradually pour in your broth and broccoli mixture, whisking well. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to low heat, uncovered, allowing it to simmer for about 10 minutes.
  2. Add in the garlic powder, onion powder, ground nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir in both cheeses until they melt smoothly into the soup.
  3. While the soup simmers on low-medium heat, place the reserved 1/2 cup of broccoli in the microwave and steam it until soft.
Serving
  1. Serve the soup hot, garnished with the reserved steamed broccoli and extra grated cheddar cheese on top. ENJOY!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 15gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g

Notes

To enhance flavor, serve with warm crusty bread or a fresh side salad. You might consider pairing it with a classic grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting combo.
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