Description
Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup delivers creamy comfort with Wisconsin cheddar and tender broccoli florets. Rich, velvety goodness fills your spoon with hearty warmth that whispers classic American comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 8 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups fresh shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup half & half or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 28 ounces (796 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt unsalted butter in a large soup pot over medium-low heat, sautéing diced onions and minced garlic with a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper until the onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add fresh chopped broccoli florets to the aromatic base, then pour in chicken broth and Dijon mustard, seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Elevate the heat to create a gentle simmer, allowing the broccoli to become tender and infuse the broth with its vibrant flavor, stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes.
- Reduce heat and slowly stream in half-and-half cream, maintaining a low simmer to prevent curdling and allowing the liquid to warm through for 5-7 minutes.
- Gradually sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the soup, stirring continuously until completely melted and smooth, then fold in grated Parmesan cheese for additional depth of flavor.
- Perform a final taste test, adjusting seasoning with extra salt and pepper as needed, ensuring a balanced and rich profile before ladling into warm serving bowls.
Notes
- Butter and aromatics create a flavor foundation, gently coaxing out sweet onion and garlic notes before building the soup’s robust profile.
- Broccoli transforms into tender, vibrant green pieces during the simmering process, absorbing the rich broth’s savory essence.
- Creamy half-and-half introduces luxurious texture, softening the soup’s intensity and creating a velvety smooth consistency.
- Melted cheddar cheese delivers a sharp, tangy undertone that complements the vegetable’s earthy characteristics.
- Final seasoning adjustments ensure each spoonful delivers a perfectly balanced, comforting warmth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 347 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 503 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 76 mg