Crockpot Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup
I’m craving all the cozy meals right now and this Crockpot Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup is perfect to make right now. It comes together easily in the slow cooker and makes for a delicious meal to add to your easy dinner or meal prep rotation.
If youโre looking for a cozy meal that brings restaurant comfort right to your kitchen, this Crock-Pot Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the perfect recipe to make right now. I love all things broccoli cheddar soup, and the Panera Bread version has always been one I crave on chilly days. And honestlyโฆ does it get any better than serving it inside a fluffy, warm bread bowl? You can totally do that at home too!
This soup comes together easily with just a few simple ingredients, but what makes it extra satisfying is the addition of cottage cheese. Not only does it pack in a boost of protein, but you canโt even taste it โ so if youโre not a cottage cheese lover, donโt worry. It blends right in to make the soup thick, creamy, cheesy, and everything you want in a cozy bowl of soup.
Itโs perfect for a quick and comforting weeknight dinner, and it reheats beautifully, making lunch leftovers for the next day or two an absolute treat. Whether youโre feeding the family or prepping for a busy week, this creamy broccoli cheddar soup is one that everyone will love!
What you need for Crockpot Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup:
- Fresh broccoli
- Medium carrots
- Frozen sauteed onions or Dried minced onions
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Whole milk
- Chicken bouillon paste or chicken bouillon cubes
- Cornstarch
- Cottage cheese
- Sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
How to make this soup:
- Add the broccoli, carrots, onions, spices, and cheddar cheese to a crockpot.
- To a large bowl (and using an immersion blender), or to a blender, add the milk, chicken bouillon paste, cornstarch, and cottage cheese. Blend until completely smooth.
- Add the blended mixture to the crockpot and mix all ingredients together. Cover with a lid and set the crockpot to low and cook for 4 hours. Do not cook for longer than 4 hours or the mixture may start to thicken too much on the sides.
- Use an immersion blender or standard blender and blend about ยพ of the soup. (I blended it until there were only a handful of broccoli pieces still intact. This will help thicken the soup further and give it a closer texture to the original soup by Panera Bread.)
- Top with additional shredded cheddar, sour cream, etc. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
How to store your leftovers:
It’s best to store any leftovers in a sealed container! I like using these for easy fridge storage.
If you want to switch it up, try doing this instead:
Serve it with your favorite sourdough or bread!
Top it with shredded cheddar, sour cream or chives
If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy these on One Balanced Life:
- White Chicken Chili
- Beef and Bean Chili
- Street Corn Inspired Chicken Enchiladas
- Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice
FAQs:
I use this one and love it!
This will last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days when stored in a sealed container.
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Crockpot Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup
T๏ปฟhis Crockpot Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup is perfect for a cozy meal to make during the week!
Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh broccoli, small chopped (approximately 2 small heads of broccoli or 1 large head)
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
- 5 cubes of Frozen sauteed onions or 3 tbsp. Dried minced onions
- ยพ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ยฝ teaspoon Salt
- ยพ teaspoon Black pepper
- 5 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons Chicken bouillon paste or 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- ยผ cup Cornstarch
- 24 oz. cottage cheese
- 8 oz. sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- optional: cheddar cheese on top, sourdough for servings
Instructions
- Add the broccoli, carrots, onions, spices, and cheddar cheese to a crockpot.
- To a large bowl (and using an immersion blender), or to a blender, add the milk, chicken bouillon paste, cornstarch, and cottage cheese. Blend until completely smooth.
- Add the blended mixture to the crockpot and mix all ingredients together. Cover with a lid and set the crockpot to low and cook for 4 hours. Do not cook for longer than 4 hours or the mixture may start to thicken too much on the sides.
- Use an immersion blender or standard blender and blend about ยพ of the soup. (I blended it until there were only a handful of broccoli pieces still intact. This will help thicken the soup further and give it a closer texture to the original soup by Panera Bread.)
- Top with additional shredded cheddar, sour cream, etc. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
