I know, second soup of the week. What can I say, I’m a little bit obsessed with soup right now π It’s just that time of year I guess, so hopefully you’re not sick of the soup ideas. But if so, just bear with me, something indulgent and chocolatey is coming tomorrow!
If you’ve ever been to Panera, you’ve probably had their broccoli cheddar soup. I suspect it’s probably one of their most popular menu items. And for good reason, it’s delicious! This winter I really wanted to try a homemade version, one that didn’t require me to change out of my pjs and drive 15 minutes to stand in line for. There are quite a few variations floating around the web, and I don’t have any particular reason that I chose this one over the others, but I’m glad I did. It’s become one of my favorite lunch options (no way is Shane touching this soup so it’s out for dinner) and reheats really well so one batch will feed me for quite a few days. While most people are content to eat bread or rolls with their soup, I’ve developed a really bad habit of dipping potato chips in this one. Working hard to break myself of that…
I’ve made this broccoli cheddar soup on several occasions, and finally remembered to get some photos the most recent time so I could share it. A couple notes – first, don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It just won’t melt as well and you’ll probably be disappointed. (I probably should have mentioned that when I posted the cheddar ale soup too.) Also, the recipe calls for pureeing the soup here, and as you can probably see, I like mine pretty smooth, but you could definitely keep it chunkier if that’s your preference. The flavor is pretty close to the cafe version, and this alternative is definitely cheaper too. Gotta love that π
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
from FoodNetwork.com
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups half-and-half
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 cups broccoli florets
1 large carrot, diced
8 oz (about 2 1/2 cups) grated sharp cheddar cheese
Add the butter to a large saucepan or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Once melted, add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes (or until golden), whisking frequently. Gradually add the half-and-half, whisking constantly – the mixture may look lumpy at first, but it will smooth out. Stir in the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Add the broccoli and carrot to the soup and continue simmering until the veggies are tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Turn off the heat under the pot and puree the soup with an immersion blender (or, if you don’t have one, in a traditional blender – you’ll probably want to do it in a few batches.)
Set the pot over medium-low heat and gradually add the cheese to the soup, whisking constantly to melt and incorporate. Adjust the seasoning to taste then serve.
this looks great! love immersion blenders
I too love their soup and have created a similar version at home. Just so good! And I love making soups that require my immersion blender. It’s a super fun tool (kitchen-nerd). As for the frequency of soup posts, keep them coming! I am going to be posting at least one a week for awhile because there are too many I crave right now.
Looks delicious…that Shane is missing out on so many good things. lol I’m always obsessed with soup, I could live on soup and salad alone…which means that Shane would never want to eat with me at any time. Nice photos.
My all time favorite soup!! Will definitely be trying this recipe (AFTER investing in an immersion blender…seriously WHY don’t I have one yet?!
That looks really yummy! I made a broccoli soup from CI a while back, but didn’t like it that much. It certainly tasted like broccoli, almost too much. It wasn’t cheesy enough. This one looks more like what I was looking for. Who knows, the girls might even eat it!
This has delicious and comfort written all over it Tracey. Can’t wait to give it a try since I’m on a bit of a soup kick myself right now. If you have anymore good soup recipes, keep ’em comin!
What a wonderful combination, I love broccoli and cheese together, and I love soups! Thanks for sharing!
This soup is one I can get my kiddies to eat. Will definitely add it to my weekend meal, this weekend. Thanks for sharing Tracey.
Jackie
This soup sounds so yummy! Broccoli cheddar is my favorite π
That is my favorite soup at Panera… it’s so tasty! Yours looks amazing and I think I would like mine really smooth to. I can’t get the boys to eat soup for dinner but then I guess that means it’s all mine.
Looks delicious, Tracey. I love Broccoli Cheddar Soup. It’s a very simple dish, but it’s so comforting.
P.S. On an unrelated note, I finally tried out the ice cream maker I won in your giveaway and I love it! The ice cream was creamy and perfect. Thanks again!
YES!! i was actually just wondering if you were going to post this recipe while reading your potato soup post! looks amazing. i have to get my hands on a block of chedda and i’m good to go!!
Broccoli Cheese Soup is one of those childhood memories that I grew up on. My mom would always pick a can of this stuff up when I was sick and make it for me. I love it and I love and covet your immersion blender π
That would be an awesome lunch! I have eaten at Panera a lot of times, but I don’t think I’ve ever had that soup. Maybe I should just skip it and make my own.
I love the simplicity, it just looks fantastic, broccoli cheddar soup is one of my favorites
Panera’s broccoli soup is the best! I definitely need to try this if it’s similar. My husband won’t eat it either, I’m sure. Men are so frustrating sometimes.
I have never tried this soup at Panera but am certainly missing that restaurant (we don’t have them in Phoenix)! We used to go there occasionally to study as they usually have the coffee out where you can just refill your cup as much as you wish. Maybe, just maybe if I make this in bread bowls, I’ll feel close π
delicious looking combination looks wonderful
Hubby loves broccoli soup, this looks like a great recipe, can’t wait to try it.
Potato chips dipped in soup is my kind of combo. I love a crunch with soup. My Hubs wouldn’t eat this either…but good idea to have it for lunches.
I made this today and it was fantastic!! I’m a vegetarian so I substituted vegetable broth for the chicken broth and it was still wonderful. Thank you for such a great recipe!
I’ve been craving broccoli cheddar soup. Believe me, I love the Panera stuff, so I’m pretty excited to see this recipe.
Yummmmm. This is kick butt soup. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I used Irish country white cheddar, which was a very good choice π