Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

It takes less than 30 minutes and it is as good as the original version from Panera Bread.

By
Myo Quinn
Myo Quinn
Myo Quinn
Myo's recipes, writing, and food styling can be found on King Arthur Baking, Food Network, Delish, Food52, and more. She collaborated on the cookbook Delish Vegan Dinners and trained at Gramercy Tavern and Untitled at the Whitney Museum.
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Updated March 10, 2025
Myo Quinn
Pot of copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup with a ladle raising some of it, and in the surroundings, a bowl of shredded cheese, a piece of baguette, and a blue kitchen towel

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

This copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is not trying to be anything other than the original—it's not upgraded, healthier, or even better. Our goal was to create a soup that hits the spot when the craving strikes for this velvety and comforting soup. So we spent a lot of time trying the soup at Panera, dissecting its ingredients, and recreating the recipe over and over.

This recipe hits the mark! Our recipe tester, who followed the recipe to a T said, "Spot-on. This is a delicious soup and takes just like the original! Velvety perfection." Even the over-cooked broccoli flavor you get in the original version comes through. (To mimic this flavor without having to overcook the broccoli, we chopped it finely so that cooks faster.) The recipe is easy enough that you can make it on a whim and eat it nearly as soon.

We'd recommend that you follow Panera's lead all the way: Pour this baby into a bread bowl and just feel the comfort take over!

Pot of copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup with a ladle raising some of it, and in the surroundings, a bowl of shredded cheese, a piece of baguette, and a blue kitchen towel

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

Creamy Soups To Try This Fall

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 6 servings

This recipe was developed by Melissa Gray.

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Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided

  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups water

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons chicken stock base, such as Better than Bouillon

  • 2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets (from 1 small crown broccoli)

  • 1/2 cup carrot matchsticks (from 1 small carrot or pre-cut)

  • 6 ounces pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 2 ounces processed cheese, cubed, such as Velveeta

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon white pepper

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Method

  1. Make the base of the soup:

    Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until they soften and become translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.

    Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring constantly, until melted, about 1 minute. Add the flour and continue stirring until it bubbles and turns pale golden brown, about 1 minute.

    Gradually stir in the water and cream until smooth, followed by the stock base.

    Diced onion cooking in a Dutch oven for copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Flour, butter, and onions stirred together to create a roux in the Dutch oven for Diced onion cooking in a Dutch oven for copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
  2. Add the vegetables, cheese, and seasoning:

    Stir in the broccoli and carrots, and bring the soup to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

    Turn the heat off and gradually stir in the cheddar cheese and processed cheese until fully melted, about 1 minute. Add the mustard, hot sauce, paprika, pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine. Serve warm.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Water and cream added to Dutch oven to create the soup base for copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Shredded cheddar added to pot of copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Two bowls of copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup, each on a plate with a piece of baguette and a spoon, and in the surroundings, a pot with more soup, glasses of water, a blue kitchen towel, and a small bowl of shredded cheese

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
467 Calories
41g Fat
14g Carbs
13g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 467
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 41g 53%
Saturated Fat 25g 127%
Cholesterol 123mg 41%
Sodium 627mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 36mg 179%
Calcium 406mg 31%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 339mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.