Watch the easy video tutorial below and enjoy this homemade version of Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
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Broccoli Cheese Soup Video Tutorial:
We love to re-create famous restaurant soups at home like our Zuppa Toscana and Chicken Wild Rice Soup. This homemade version is even better because it’s loaded with fresh broccoli, is low carb, and healthier than most with just 1/2 cup of cream.
I hope this Broccoli Cheese Soup becomes a new favorite soup recipe for you. P.S. Here is the kitchen tour I mentioned in the video.
What is Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Broccoli and cheese soup is essentially a blended cream of broccoli soup with cheese. We use 2 types of cheese; sharp cheddar and shredded parmesan. For years, we have been working on developing a broccoli cheese soup that we loved and the key was in combining the two kinds of cheese for balanced and rich flavor.
How to make Broccoli and Cheese Soup:
How to Make Bread Bowls:
You can recreate the famous restaurant-style Broccoli Cheese Soup by serving it in a toasted bread bowl. It’s truly easy to make homemade bread bowls and feels like dining out. When the bread is toasted, it crisps up on the outside and tastes like a fresh loaf out of a bakery – delicious!
What Kind of Bread for Bread Bowls? You will need 6 to 7″ diameter sourdough round loaves also known as boules. Using a serrated knife, cut off the tops and scoop out the centers with a spoon to make room for the soup. To Toast the Bread: Place on a baking sheet then broil on high heat on the center rack of the oven for 2-3 minutes or until the tops are golden brown then remove from oven. Keep a close eye on your bread since it can burn quickly.
Tips for the Best Broccoli Cheese Soup:
Why is my soup grainy? Cook Soup until the veggies are tender and it will blend easier. If you want a completely smooth soup, be sure to blend until desired consistency with an immersion blender or a high powered blender. Can I make this vegetarian? For a vegetarian soup, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Can I make this Gluten-Free? Substitute all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour to make this a GF soup. Is this soup healthy? Since we blend most of the veggies into the soup, it naturally starts with a creamy base and only needs 1/2 cup of cream to finish it off. This homemade version is healthier than most of the recipes I have seen and is fairly low carb. Check out the nutrition label below the recipe card for calories. Can I use frozen broccoli? You can use frozen broccoli. Add frozen florets to the recipe just like you would fresh and cook to desired doneness. Can I use the broccoli stems? You can use the broccoli stems, but make sure to peel the stems first since they can be tough and fibrous then dice the tender broccoli stems and add them with the broccoli florets.
What to Serve with Broccoli Cheddar Soup:
We love serving this inside sourdough bread bowls, but you can serve it in a regular soup bowl with Dinner Rolls or a slice of French Bread. Add a fresh side salad for the perfect lunch.
More Creamy Soup Recipes:
As soon as the weather starts cooling down, we start making cozy soups and particularly creamy soups. These are the soups make on our regular rotation.
Loaded Potato Soup – all the comforts of a baked potato Clam Chowder – restaurant quality Silky Smooth Carrot Soup – a go-to winter soup Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup – a twist on classic Chicken Soup Corn Chowder – creamy and comforting with fresh corn
