Description
This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, comforting dish inspired by Panera’s famous recipe. Slow-cooked broccoli and vegetables meld with rich cheddar cheese and a smooth, creamy base, making it perfect for cozy meals. The soup is prepared using a slow cooker for tender vegetables and a stovetop cheese sauce for ultimate richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 2 heads broccoli (florets cut into small pieces)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups heavy cream
Dairy and Thickening Agents
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 6 oz white cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker Base: In a 4 quart or larger slow cooker, add the chopped broccoli florets, diced onion, shredded carrots, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and pour in the chicken stock. This will form the flavorful vegetable broth base for the soup.
- Cook Vegetables Slowly: Cook the mixture on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours, until the broccoli is tender and cooked to your preferred texture. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld deeply and vegetables to soften beautifully.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Approximately 10 minutes before the broccoli finishes cooking, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux. Gradually pour in the heavy cream while stirring and cook until the mixture thickens. Reduce the heat to low, add the shredded cheddar cheese, and stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Once the broccoli is cooked, pour the prepared cheese sauce into the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to incorporate. Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes to allow the soup to thicken and flavors to marry.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and optionally sprinkle extra shredded cheddar cheese on top. Enjoy this rich, creamy broccoli cheddar soup warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Using a slow cooker allows the flavors to fully develop and broccoli to soften without constant attention.
- You can substitute white cheddar with yellow cheddar if preferred, but white cheddar is closer to the original Panera flavor.
- To make the soup vegetarian, substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth.
- For a smoother soup, you can blend part or all of the soup before adding the cheese sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper at the end if needed.
