Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup
You guys I went through a Panera Bread kick a few weeks back. Literally, it was obsessive. I may have eaten a bowl of soup in my car one afternoon after I’d skipped breakfast and lost track of time. It was so good, but this new infatuation was getting costly. So, I had to come up with a Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup and dare I say, it might just be better than the original!
You read that right, a fresh batch of homemade soup never tasted so good. This creamy broccoli cheddar soup is loaded with broccoli and lots of cheddar. It gets a subtle bit of flavouring from the onions, carrots and garlic. Altogether it’s unbeatable! And one you must try right away!
I don’t know why, but I had four bags of broccoli crowns in my fridge. What is that? I think I had good intentions every time I went to the grocery store and then I must have subbed in some other veggie on the evenings I had planned for those glorious crowns. But, that just meant that I got to make a second batch, almost back to back! It was literally soup week in this house! And I couldn’t have been happier.
You see, I’m not always a fan of soup, in fact, I rarely make it. But what I am a fan of is GOOD soup and I’ve come across a few of them recently. Two of my favourites I’ve already shared here. Classic Hamburger Vegetable Soup and Healthy Jalapeño Pumpkin Soup are packed full of flavour and are always welcome in this house. Along with this cheesy Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
How to Make Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup
In your trusty dutch oven or a large pot, melt two tablespoons of butter and saute the onions. Let these cook until they’re nice and soft, then add in the garlic, let this cook for a few seconds. When the garlic is fragrant, stir in the remaining butter and let it melt completely. Sprinkle that with the flour and stir continually until the flour starts to turn golden and fragrant. I’m usually happy with it around four minutes, just make sure you’re stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.
In increments, pour in a small amount of the chicken stock and whisk, continuing until it’s all combined and smooth. Pour in the cream and bring it all to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer, which is just under a boil. Mix in the broccoli, carrots and spices, but not the hot sauce, I like to leave that ’til the end. Cover the pot and let this all simmer away for about 40 minutes or until the broccoli is soft.
Finish it by stirring in the cheddar cheese, continuing until the cheese is melted. Let this simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes. Serve this, obviously, with some crusty sourdough, just like the original, or if you have access to a bread bowl, I highly recommend that route!
This copycat soup is so good and will leave you asking, Panera who? You won’t miss the original at all, but what you will love, is the price, the taste and of course that fact that you can make this at home, anytime you want!
If you love Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup, check out these other delicious recipes inspired by restaurant dishes, I’m sure they’ll hit the spot:
If you get a chance to make this or any other recipe on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your post. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!
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Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup will remind you of that restaurant version that's served in a bread bowl. You know that one, but this one might just be better! You can make it at home and it's downright delicious!
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups broccoli
- 2 cups chicken broth (I use 2 cups of water & 2 tsps of Better than Bouillon chicken base)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup onions, diced fine
- 1 cup carrots, grated
- 6 tbsp butter, divided
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp mustard
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce (I used Frank's)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
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In a dutch oven or large pot, over medium heat, melt two tablespoons of butter and saute the onions until soft. When the onions are soft, stir in the garlic and let that cook for about 30 seconds.
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In the pot, melt the remaining four tablespoons of butter and sprinkle in the flour over top of the onions. Stir continually for about three or four minutes, until the flour is golden and fragrant.
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Slowly pour in the chicken broth and stir constantly until it's all combined. Add in the cream and bring everything to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer (just below boiling).
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Add in the broccoli, carrots and spices, stirring to combine. Cover and let this simmer for about 35-45 minutes, until the broccoli is soft.
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Add in the cheddar cheese and hot sauce and stir until the cheese is melted. Cover and let this simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
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Serve hot.
One Comment
Marlon
Very tasty!