Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup is even better than the original because it’s homemade! My version uses Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 all purpose flour so this recipe is gluten-free, but you can use regular flour if you wish. The perfect meal for a cold winter or fall day, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s great with a side salad, in a bread bowl, with crackers or homemade croutons!

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You will need:

2 large heads fresh broccoli

2 carrots

½ yellow onion

4 cloves garlic

3 TB butter

1 TB olive oil (optional-leave out if you like your soup creamy)

3 TB all purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 all purpose flour to make this gluten-free)

4 cups chicken broth

8 oz. sharp or extra sharp block cheddar cheese

1 tsp ground dry mustard

½ tsp paprika

2 cups half and half or heavy cream (I use heavy cream)

Salt and pepper to taste (I used about ½ teaspoon each)

Food grater for carrots and cheese (I mean this is the best gadget I ever bought and I absolutely love it. Find it on Amazon here – affiliate link)

Directions for Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup:

First chop the broccoli florets into bite size pieces

Next peel and grate the carrots. So I NEED to tell you about this grater I purchased from Amazon. It is HANDS DOWN my favorite kitchen gadget. In fact I don’t know how I survived all these years without it. I can literally grate a block of cheese in SECONDS. Not only that, you can switch out the blade and use it to slice zucchini, squash, potatoes for potato chips. I LOVE IT. You can purchase it from Amazon here (affiliate link) I absolutely love it!

Now, dice the onion

Then grate the cheese – this grater is a DREAM!!!

Next mince the garlic.

Now melt the butter in a large pot along with the olive oil and add the onion and carrot with a little salt and pepper.

Sauté until onion and carrot are soft, about 5 minutes.

Next add the garlic to the pot and stir for about a minute

Then add the flour and cook for another minute or 2. (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 all purpose flour to keep this recipe gluten-free, but you can use regular flour if you wish).

Now slowly add the chicken stock and mix to make sure there are no clumps of flour.

Next stir in the half and half OR heavy cream

Simmer on medium high and then add broccoli and add the ground mustard and paprika along with more salt and pepper to taste. 

Then cover and turn down the heat to low and simmer 20 minutes until broccoli is soft.

Finally, remove from heat and stir in the grated cheese until smooth.

Serve with bread, croutons or top with more grated cheese.

Your family will love this Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup and it’s great to bring to potlucks as well! Perfect on a cold winter or fall night. The ULTIMATE comfort food!