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Easy Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Creamy and delicious broccoli and cheese soup that’s ready to go in just 30 minutes! An easy Panera copycat recipe that tastes amazing served in a homemade bread bowl. 

A bread bowl filled with broccoli cheddar cheese on a white plate with a silver spoon.
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Best Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

This broccoli cheese soup is rich, creamy, and perfect for a cold winter day. Heck, I’d even eat it on a hot summer day! It’s just that good. We served it in homemade bread bowls and my whole family absolutely loved it. We can’t wait to make this recipe again!

This broccoli cheese soup recipe was inspired by a little bakery that I visited in NYC. Their broccoli cheddar soup was served in a bread bowl and was my absolute favorite!

So creamy, cheesy and delicious. We love potato and leek soup and this butternut squash soup recipe for the creamy texture, too!

It also reminds me of the Panera broccoli cheddar soup. I’ve tried making it numerous times and have never seemed to get the ingredients right. But I finally perfected it and the recipe is SO delicious!

Recipe Ingredients

You can’t go wrong with a creamy, rich, cheesy soup when the weather is cold! Easy broccoli cheese soup has everything you need to have a healthy and hearty soup ready in minutes. From fresh vegetables, the perfect blend of seasonings, to pantry staples, create the best soup with the best ingredients!

Broccoli cheddar soup in a stock pot pan with shredded cheddar ready to melt in the soup.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Butter and flour: Used to make the roux, which helps thicken the soup and make it hearty.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic will give you the best flavor. Learning how to mince garlic is an easy skill that will come in handy many times in the kitchen!
  • Stock: Chicken or vegetable stock both work great. Stock is a bit thicker than broth, which is why I prefer it over chicken broth or vegetable broth.
  • Half and half: Adds a creamy richness, as well as helps thicken the soup.
  • Seasonings: Kosher salt, white pepper (more mild than black pepper) and wait for it….nutmeg! It may sound strange, but adding a small hint of nutmeg is the perfect finishing touch on this broccoli & cheese soup.
  • Broccoli: Wash and cut the broccoli into small florets for the perfect bite-size pieces.
  • Carrots: You can grate or shred your own carrots, or buy a bag of shredded carrots from the grocery store.
  • Cheese: Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese gives the soup a bold flavor and the perfect cheesy texture.

Variations

For a more subtle taste, feel free to use regular cheddar cheese. Fresh parmesan also tastes delicious mixed in. You can also add in some chopped onion while you sauté the garlic with the butter for even more flavor.

How to Make Homemade Broccoli and Cheese Soup

This cheesy broccoli soup is simple to make and comes together in four easy steps. Making the roux is the most important part to insure the soup is going to be thick and creamy. Your family is going to love this savory soup when you make it!

A four step photo process of broccoli cheddar soup.
  1. Make roux. Melt butter in a large pot over medium to low heat, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook until golden brown. Add in chicken stock, half and half, salt, pepper and nutmeg and stir. Cook for 5-10 minutes (stirring occasionally).
  2. Simmer. Then add broccoli and carrots. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Combine. Mix in cheese and stir until just combined. Serve in bread bowls or with rolls.
A full ladle lifting the broccoli cheese soup from the dutch oven.

Expert Tips

  • Cheese. The key to the best broccoli cheese soup is grating your own cheese! It makes it super melty and delicious. If you buy the pre-shredded bags, the cheese won’t melt as well. I like to use sharp cheddar cheese because it gives it adds a bolder flavor.
  • Veggies. To make this recipe even quicker, you can steam the veggies separately until tender while you make the roux. Then just mix in the cooked veggies and cheese and it’ll be ready to go. You can always add in extra broccoli and carrots if you want your soup to be more veggie forward.
  • Thickening the soup. The soup is already super thick and creamy, but you can make it even thicker by adding in an extra tablespoon or so of flour or cornstarch.

5 star review

I made this for a family party and everyone agreed it was the best broccoli cheese soup ever! My mom even took some to her elderly neighbor who agreed it was the best she ever had and she’s in her 90’s!

-Melissa
A bread bowl with broccoli cheese soup in it with shredded cheddar garnished on top.

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze broccoli cheese soup?

Because of the creamy base, it doesn’t hold up that well in the freezer. The dairy included in the soup can cause separation, which will affect the consistency.
I’d recommend making this recipe on a week where you know you’ll be able to get through the leftovers in 3 to 4 days.

How healthy is broccoli and cheese soup?

I wouldn’t say that this is the healthiest soup recipe in my arsenal. The full fat ingredients like heavy cream, butter and cheese are what gives this broccoli and cheese soup it’s rich and creamy flavor, so I don’t recommend using lighter alternatives. It’s worth the indulgence though!

What is the best melting cheese for soup?

Freshly grated cheese! The store-bought pre-shredded bags include extra additives that make it more difficult to melt. I recommend buying a fresh block of sharp cheddar cheese and grating it yourself for the best results.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Frozen broccoli tends to get a bit mushy, so I recommend using fresh broccoli florets for the best texture and flavor.

How to Store and Reheat

This cheesy broccoli soup will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 3-4 days. The leftovers make the perfect comforting lunch or dinner and are even better the next day! You can reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stove top until it’s warmed throughout.

Broccoli cheese soup in a bread bowl on a white plate.

Make this soup into a complete meal! This broccoli and cheese soup is perfect with a fluffy, soft potato rolls and a spinach berry salad. Finish with a slice of dutch apple pie or caramel butter bars to share with family and friends.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

4.98 from 35 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Creamy and delicious broccoli and cheese soup that's ready to go in just 30 minutes! An easy Panera copycat recipe that tastes amazing served in a homemade bread bowl. 
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Video

Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup butter , melted
  • 1-2 cloves garlic , minced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock , or vegetable stock
  • 2 cups half and half
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1-2 cups steamed broccoli , cut into small pieces
  • ¾ cup shredded carrots , steamed
  • 2-2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a large pan, begin to melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and let cook for about a minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for a few minutes, just until golden brown.
  • Slowly add in chicken stock, half-and-half, kosher salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Stir together and let cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add in the broccoli and carrots and let simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
  • Mix in the cheese and stir until just combined. Serve in bread bowls or with rolls.

Notes

How to Store and Reheat
This soup will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 3 to 4 days. You can reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stove top until it’s warmed throughout.

Nutrition

Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 1076mg | Potassium: 501mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5640IU | Vitamin C: 23.3mg | Calcium: 662mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

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