Description
Panera broccoli cheddar soup delivers creamy comfort in a bowl, blending rich cheese with tender vegetables. Hearty flavors and smooth textures invite you to savor this classic soup that warms from the first spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (180 grams) broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup (80 grams) shredded carrots
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Liquid Base:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) half-and-half or whole milk
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
Seasoning and Preparation Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Initiate the flavor foundation by gently melting butter in a capacious pot over moderate heat, introducing diced onions and allowing them to soften and become translucent.
- Incorporate minced garlic, stirring until aromatic and releasing its delicate essence into the butter-onion mixture.
- Dust flour across the vegetable base, creating a delicate roux by whisking consistently to eliminate any raw flour undertones and establish a rich thickening agent.
- Gradually introduce chicken broth and half-and-half, whisking methodically to prevent luminal formations and create a silky liquid foundation.
- Carefully fold in chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, and complementary seasonings including mustard powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Allow the mixture to gently simmer, permitting vegetables to tenderize and flavors to harmonize, typically requiring 15-20 minutes of patient cooking.
- Reduce heat to minimal intensity and incrementally integrate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a luxuriously smooth texture.
- Enhance creaminess by incorporating a splash of heavy cream, stirring until fully integrated.
- Transfer the velvety soup into serving vessels, accompanied by crusty artisan bread or nestled within a hollowed bread bowl for an indulgent presentation.
Notes
- Enhance the roux’s flavor by toasting the flour slightly, which adds a nutty depth without burning.
- Opt for sharp cheddar cheese to boost the soup’s rich, tangy profile and create a more intense cheesy experience.
- Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties for smoother melting and better texture.
- Customize the soup for dietary needs by substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth and using gluten-free flour to make it completely gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 90mg