Name: Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cups low or no-sodium vegetable or chicken broth; salt; 1 cup carrot matchsticks; 1 (14 oz.) bag frozen broccoli; 2 Tbsp. butter; 2 slices bread; 1/2 tsp. garlic powder; 1/4 cup flour; 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk or 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk; 12 oz. sharp cheddar cheese

Busy Weeknights

Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup, Like Panera’s!

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Quick and easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe. It’s as tasty as Panera’s but you don’t have to leave your house!

Here’s A Video Showing How To Make This Quick Broccoli Cheddar Soup:

A Broccoli Cheddar Soup like Panera’s

A new Panera restaurant has been built not far from my house. I sometimes go there to take advantage of the coffee and free Wi-Fi when I want to work without household distractions. I’m also there for the famous Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. It’s so good that I’ve even heard broccoli-haters rave about its deliciousness.

I thought that an easy broccoli cheese soup recipe for home would be a great way to get extra broccoli into my kids. They don’t really hate broccoli; they’ll eat a few stalks if they’re promised fruit right afterwards. But they eat this soup, no bribes required.

Time Saving Tips

I made sure to include carrots in this creamy broccoli soup, just like Panera does. I used carrot matchsticks because they’re sold already peeled and cut into small quick-cooking pieces. Another way that I saved time with this soup is to not make bread bowls. I figured that none of us has time to be carving bread. Instead, the recipe includes quick garlic croutons to sprinkle over top of the soup before serving.

Between the protein in the cheddar cheese and milk, the carbs in the croutons, and the big veggie portion, a bowl of this soup is a full meal on its own. And it’s vegetarian so it’s perfect for Meatless Mondays, if you do those (we do it about half the time).

Easy Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

I have tons of other soups that are just as quick as this one. You can see them all here. And here’s a tasty example. Creamy Cauliflower Mac ‘n’ Cheese Soup!

And now, here’s my quick and easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe.

Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

Author: Christine Pittman
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

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Description

To make this soup in under 15 minutes, first read through the recipe so that you know what to expect. As you read, gather together all of the ingredients, pots, pans and other tools that you will need so that everything is at your fingertips. No prepping is required though – all chopping, etc. is part of the instructions and counted in the 15 minute time. Yield 7 and 1/2 cups.

Ingredients

4 cups low or no-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
salt
1 cup carrot matchsticks
1 (14 oz.) bag frozen broccoli
2 Tbsp. butter
2 slices bread
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup flour
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk or 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk
12 oz. sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Put a large pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add the chicken broth and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover. Roughly chop the carrot matchsticks and add them to the pot. Stir and cover. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
Meanwhile, put the frozen broccoli in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave it on high until hot, 5-7 minutes. Add it to the simmering broth.
While the broccoli is in the microwave, put a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Chop the bread into 1-inch squares. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the garlic powder. Push down on the bread a bit so that the seasoning stick on. Put the bread into the pan of butter and stir and toss. Increase heat to medium-high and cook stirring occasionally until toasted and crunchy. Turn to low and stir occasionally until soup is ready.
While the croutons are toasting, the broccoli is heating and the broth is simmering, measure the flour into a large mason jar. Add the milk and put on the lid. Shake it around and tip it around until the flour is mixed well into the milk. Shred the cheese.
After you’ve added the broccoli to the soup, remove it from the heat and add the flour mixture all at once. Stir. Return it to medium heat and bring it to a simmer. Remove it from the heat and stir in 2 and 1/2 cups of the cheese. Serve topped with the remaining shredded cheese and the garlic croutons.

Video by Leigh Olson. Article, photos, and recipe by Christine Pittman.

This post originally appeared in October 2014 and was revised and republished in November 2020.

$Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup, Like Panera\'s!$

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last updated on March 30, 2021 by Christine Pittman

Categories: Busy Weeknights, SOUPin15, Soups, Soups 'n' Sides

Tags: broccoli, cheese, Soup Recipes, vegetables, Vegetarian Recipes

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