You are only 30 minutes away from a bowl of the best creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup. This delicious soup recipe is comfort food at its best and is sure to hit the spot on a cool fall day.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Copycat
One of our favorite things to do while the kids are in school is to go out to lunch every once in a while. Now most of the time we like to try out new restaurants, but other times we go for our tried and true favorites.
I could eat Panera's broccoli cheddar soup every single week. That creamy broccoli soup in the soft bread bowl gets me every time, so of course, that soup is in our lunch rotation.
Since it really isn't practical to go out to eat every single week, I couldn't wait to make a copycat of the broccoli cheddar soup from Panera. It was actually quite easy to make and so creamy and delicious.
And now that I know how easy it is to make, I'm planning on making it every week with these Chicken Parmesan Roll Ups.
Now I do have to recommend that you grate a block of cheese instead of buying the pre-shredded cheese. The already shredded cheese has a slight coating on it that keeps it from melting as well as freshly grated cheese.
The bagged stuff will work in a pinch, but do yourself a favor and shred your own. It makes soups like this Chicken Cheese Soup so much better.
Ingredients for Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Butter
- Flour
- Half and Half
- Chicken Broth
- Veggies - Onion, Garlic, Broccoli, & Carrots
- Cheese - freshly shredded cheddar cheese makes a big difference.
- Spices - Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Nutmeg
How to make Broccoli Cheese Soup
This broccoli and cheese soup is seriously so easy to make. A couple minutes chopping veggies and then the rest of the prep is stirring and simmering. Gotta love an easy dinner recipe that tastes amazing!
- Chop the broccoli into bite sized pieces and shred the carrots into small pieces.
- Sauce the butter and onions until soft. Add the garlic and flour and cook for another minute.
- Whisk in the half and half, then stir in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a low boil.
- Add the broccoli and carrots and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the veggies are soft and the soup has thickened.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese, salt and pepper, and spices until everything is melted. (full recipe below)
I love adding toppings to a bowl of soup, so I usually have bowls of different things on the table. Then everyone can top their soup with whatever they like.
Soup Toppers
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Green Onions
- Oyster Crackers
- Croutons
- Crispy Cooked Bacon
If you want to save some time making this soup, buy frozen broccoli and the matchstick carrots from the grocery store. You can also use vegetable broth to make this a vegetarian soup recipe.
If you prefer a creamier soup, remove half the soup and puree it in a blender. Stir the pureed soup back into the remaining soup and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Broccoli Cheese Soup be frozen?
Yes, it can. Let it cool, then spoon it into freezer safe containers or resealable plastic bags and freeze. Thaw and reheat on the stove top or microwave when you are ready to enjoy broccoli cheddar soup.
What goes well with Broccoli Cheese Soup?
- A fresh salad with a light vinaigrette dressing
- Fresh coleslaw or this Spicy Coleslaw
- Crusty bread or rolls
- A bread bowl is a delicious way to serve this broccoli soup.
How long will cheese soup last?
This cheese soup is best served immediately. Leftovers will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator.
Can you reheat broccoli cheddar soup?
Place the cheese soup in a large pot on the stove top or in a microwave safe bowl. Heat until it reaches your desired temperature.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
Other Easy Soup Recipes
A pot of this homemade Easy Chicken Corn Chowder is the perfect comfort food to warm you up on a cold day.
This easy White Chicken Chili is a great way to warm up on a cold, snowy day. It is full of flavor and reheats well.
Make a pot of this Italian Tomato Soup this fall to feed your hungry family. Ready in just under 30 minutes.
This smokey Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Soup comes together in just minutes. Such an easy and delicious meal.
This easy Pizza Minestrone is loaded with noodles and pizza toppings. Perfect dinner for cold fall days.
This Creamy Tomato Soup recipe will take you back to childhood. Serve it with grilled cheese croutons for a delicious dinner.
A pot of this Fast Chicken Noodle Soup comes together in minutes. Perfect dinner when you are under the weather.
Recipe
Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
You are only 30 minutes away from a bowl of the best creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup. This delicious soup recipe is comfort food at its best and is sure to hit the spot on a cool fall day.
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups finely chopped broccoli
- 1 cup finely diced carrots
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Saute the onion and butter until softened. Add the garlic and flour and cook another minute.
- Whisk in the half and half and stir until dissolved. Stir in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir in the broccoli and carrots. Simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the cheese, salt, pepper, and spices and stir until creamy.
- Serve immediately with shredded cheese, green onions, and oyster crackers.
Notes
*Use a food processor to chop carrots quickly.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 561Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 1234mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 25g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Broccoli Cheese Soup was first published on November 2, 2013. The pictures and recipe has been updated and republished on September 30, 2019.
Sophie Anderson
This is such a simple fast and delicious recipe. My family loves this soup. It has such a great taste and is perfect for those cold nights.
Tracee Moore
I had to laugh when you said the market moved to a building "for convenience". That convenience is called WINTER! It can be brutal...especially this last winter. We live in NW PA and visit Cleveland for culinary purposes. We really love that part of Cleveland. Not so much the "other" parts of it though!
Amanda
Great recipe! Looks so yummy. How many servings do you think this is? I've got a family of 5, including two grown men and a growing teen boy that eat a lot!
Thanks,
Amanda
Jocelyn Brubaker
It makes a big pot of soup...now I wish I had measured it before we ate it. It served our family of 5, and we had leftovers for the next day. (my oldest is 14 and out eats me all the time now 😉
Millie
What a great dairy trip and great recipe. However, having been brought up on a farm and actually milking a few times, I can only imagine how long it would take milking four teats with two fingers. How delicate, little lady. Cute.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hahahaha! You got me! Yes, I was a little timid in my milking technique...I applaud all those farmers, but it isn't for me.
Sinea Pies
Oh I am SO glad that Six SIsters featured you on the hop. That's how I found you and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE broccoli and cheese soup. I've wanted a great recipe and now I've found it. Any possibility you could stop by my Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop and share it? That would be so great!
Blessings,
Sinea
Ducks ‘n a Row
Holly
I just stumbled upon this post while looking for a broccoli cheese soup recipe. All those places you were at is so close to home and now that I'm living more than 13 hours away, it brought nostalgic memories back! Oh how I miss home and family! Thank you!!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen
This is my favorite kind of soup. Yours looks scrumptious in that bread bowl!
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate
What a fun post!! ...and a delicious looking soup! Thanks for sharing 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Brenda!! 🙂
Chels R.
That looks like such a fun trip! I'm so obsessed with cheese it's not even funny. I love a good broccoli cheese soup. I'm definitely going to try this version!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chels!! 😉
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Now I want a pet cow and a big ol' bread bowl full of soup. Pinning!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha!! They were super cute! Thanks Jennie!!
Tieghan
You do know that I am from Cleveland, right?!? I live in CO now, but all of my extended family and my oldest brother still live there. I kind of loved reading this!! So fun for me!!
Also, this soup! YUM! I love broccoli cheddar!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Tieghan!! I'm glad you enjoyed this post girl!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
This is such a great post and perfect timing! I was just looking around for soups to add to my weekly meal plan!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Nancy!! 🙂
Kelly @ old blue silo
I loved reading about your trip! I love reading your recipes and food adventures, but it's fun to get a peak into your life every now and then too 🙂 Dairy farms and the innovations behind them just fascinate me! I love the atmosphere. I hope you had some good, fresh cheese curds.. those are my favorite!
I am jealous of your pretty bread bowl.. I tired making them for my gluten free broccoli cheese soup recipe and burnt them not once, but twice! 🙁 I ended up just taking a photo of it in a bowl, ha!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Kelly!! 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Of course it was so much fun to hang out with you! And get dirty on the farm, LOL. But this soup...oh girl I love some broccoli cheese soup!! YUM.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Aimee!! 😉
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads
This soup looks so delicious!! What a fun trip to the farm! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Sheena!!
Michelle
What a fun experience for you! And I just have to tell you, Joe Thomas is from our little neck of the woods. Went to High School in the next town over, & played at UW-Madison. So awesome that you got to meet him 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
That's awesome!! He was a great guy! 🙂
Samantha @ Five Heart Home
What a fun, informative trip! And broccoli cheese soup is so yummy. I love it over baked potatoes! Yours looks delicious, Jocelyn, and the bread bowls are too cute!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Samantha!! 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
Mmmmmm broccoli cheese soup is one of my faves (and probably everyone else's!). Jocelyn this looks so creamy and hearty, I wouldn't mind getting my calcium fix if it comes from this soup!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jess!! 🙂
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
This looks yummy! Can it magically appear here for lunch:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Laura!! 🙂
Shannon {Cozy Country Living}
I just love broccoli and cheese soup- as a matter of fact it is on my menu for today. Your soup looks delicious! The overcast day makes me feel like I have to make soup! It looks like you had a wonderful trip! How fun:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Shannon!! 😉