Cozy soups are a staple in our home for dinners come fall and winter. Instead of heading out to purchase our favorite soup, I've made a Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe in the instant pot! Skip the restaurant run and make this delicious soup at home in less than 30 minutes.
Instant Pot broccoli cheddar soup is just a big bowl of comfort food! With fresh broccoli florets, sharp cheddar, and served up in a bread bowl. It's just like at Panera and the whole family will love it!
This creamy soup would be delicious served with my Panera Passion Papaya Green Tea or a side sandwich like the Frontega Chicken Panini or Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt. If you are in the mood for something lighter try the Panera Green Goddess Salad!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love It
I love making Panera copycat recipes and have created quite the collection here of all of my Panera Bread favorites!
Making soups in the Instant Pot is the biggest time saver for a busy mom. Weeknights are crazy enough and we don't need to be slaving over the stove all evening.
Pressure cooking cuts our cook time down which means more time enjoying this yummy broccoli soup. Here's why you need to add this recipe to your weeknight menus:
- Healthier Panera Recipe - I searched high and low for the ingredients to this recipe and listed right on Panera's website is "processed cheese food" as one of the ingredients. I'm making this one with a healthier blend of shredded sharp cheddar cheese mixed with a roux to create that signature creamy, cheesy broth!
- Done in 30 Minutes! We love a 30 minute dinner around here, by using the electric pressure cooker for Panera's broccoli cheddar soup, its done in no time at all!
- A fun family dinner. Who doesn't love a bread bowl? Growing up it was one of my favorite things my mom included every once in a while for family dinners and it just made us all so excited to sit down and eat together. She would always serve her Velveeta Potato Soup in bread bowls!
🥂Make it A Rosy Moment
So if you are looking for more reasons to enjoy Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup, here's how I'd make this meal a full on rosy moment! From friendly gatherings to game day feasts, its such a versatile and easy recipe.
Freezer Meal For New Moms - One of the best ways to show up for someone when they are in the thick of it after a new baby is born is to bring by some freezer meals. I love that this one is not only quick to prepare but also freezes well! Drop it off with some of these other items to treat a new mom in your life:
- Bread Bowls - get these right from Panera! You can purchase them already cored and the last time I went they were 2 for $5! Or just serve with crusty bread. Or make your own using my Dutch Oven Bread recipe.
- Green Goddess Salad
- Batch of oatmeal cookies - great for lactation support!
Neighborhood Comfort Food Potluck Dinner - Invite your friends over and have soup potluck! It's always so fun to see everyones favorite comfort foods and if you serve this one, it'll have people begging for the recipe!
- Lemon Ginger Spritz - I always love providing a welcome cocktail or signature drink when I am hosting!
- Cute disposable bowls and serveware - make clean up easy on yourself and grab some cute paper goods!
- Have guests bring their favorite soups & sides to complement yours! Chicken Noodle Soup, Copycat Panera Greek Salad, and more!
Important Ingredients
I did quite a bit of research trying to find the perfect blend of ingredients to replicate Panera's velvety smooth cheese sauce in this soup. It's the best part!
So after taking a look at their website and making a few tweaks, I think I've found the perfect balance of flavors for this broccoli cheese soup recipe and you only need a handful of ingredients!
- Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese - this is probably the most important component to the delicious meal. Buy the block of cheese and shred it yourself. This is because pre-shredded cheese mixtures have anti-caking agents mixed in and they don't melt down into that beautiful, smooth cheese sauce we are looking for.
- Flour and Butter - the secret to creating a thick soup like this is to start with a roux. It's an equal mixture of 2 tablespoon flour and 2 tablespoons of butter that is cooked together then slowly incorporating chicken broth a cup at a time to create a thickener that is a great way to get the creamy texture we want.
- Aromatics - a classic mix of diced onion and shredded carrots sautéed together are simple ingredients, but make a huge impact on the overall flavor of our soup.
- Cream of Chicken Soup - this is another way we are going to achieve that creamy texture in the Instant Pot Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup! It's creamy, adds the savory flavor of chicken and definitely is the secret ingredient here!
- Fresh Broccoli Florets - by using a fresh head of broccoli we can ensure that we get the perfect texture in the soup. Even though we are using a pressure cooker, it won't come out soggy if we use fresh broccoli.
- Hot Sauce - I have to say I was surprised to see this in the ingredient list on Panera's website, but I think it adds a little kick that you don't notice but definitely enhances the flavor of the soup.
- Dijon Mustard - another surprise ingredient! It adds the perfect little tang to the soup and I would definitely not skip this delicious addition.
Swaps and Substitutions
Of course if you don't have something on hand and don't want to pop into the grocery store, or want more options for substitutions, here's how you can change it up and still have a great recipe!
- Use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup. If you want a super thick soup, add a mixture of corn starch and water at the very end. Just mix a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch with water and stir it right into the soup. Continue stirring it over medium-high heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Black pepper instead of white pepper. Don't have white pepper on hand? No worries, go ahead and swap in black pepper!
- Add in some protein. Stir in diced chicken or even ground beef for added protein to the soup.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Add in garlic powder and onion powder for some extra flavor.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes will kick the heat up a little bit, which I always love!
- Swap the cream of chicken soup for a block of cream cheese. It still produces a very creamy soup if you don't have the cream of chicken on hand.
- Add in heavy cream instead of whole milk.
If you are vegan or vegetarian and would like a version off this soup, I have a Vegan Broccoli Cauliflower Soup that is just as delicious but completely vegan!
Full Recipe Below
Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!
Step by Step Instructions
Now that we've got our ingredients, let's get started on this easy broccoli cheese soup!
- Step 1: Using the Instant Pot sauté function, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add in the diced yellow onion and carrots to the bottom of the instant pot and cook for 3-5 minutes then season with salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add the butter and allow it to melt then sprinkle in the all purpose flour and stir to coat the veggies. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Step 2: 1 cup at a time, add the chicken broth. Stir well between each addition and allow the mixture to thicken.
- Step 3: Stir in the cream of chicken soup, hot sauce, and dijon mustard. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Add in the diced broccoli florets and place the lid on the Instant Pot. Set the vent to "seal" and press the "manual" pressure cook button. Set the timer for 1 minute and allow it to pressurize.
- Step 5: Set the vent to "seal" and press the "manual" pressure cook button. Set the timer for 1 minute and allow it to pressurize. When the 1 minute timer goes off, move the valve to quick release the pressure. Allow this to finish then remove the lid.
- Step 6: Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté mode on medium-low heat and then add in the milk and shredded cheese. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Cook for another 3-5 minutes then enjoy!
Top Tip
If you have picky eaters in the house, feel free to use an immersion blender before adding in the broccoli! Sometimes the carrots and onions can really throw the little ones off (or even picky husbands!)
Expert Tips
If you really want the best outcome the next time you make Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup, follow my tips and tricks! Even easy recipes can be perfected...
- When sautéing your veggies and creating the roux at the beginning, allow the flour mixture to cook long enough to turn slightly browned. The browning of the flour ensures that it's been cooked for safety purposes, but also ensures that there's no raw flour taste in your final dish.
- After you've got your flour mixture cooked, be sure to add the chicken stock one cup of the broth at a time. You took the extra step to make your own cheese sauce, allow it to properly thicken so you can enjoy all of that cheesy flavor!
- Honestly you can serve it in a regular bowl, but nothing beats a Panera soup served out of a bread bowl. Splurge for a bread bowl!
- If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can definitely make this copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup on the stove top. Follow all the same directions, however you'll need to cook the broccoli in the hot soup for 8-10 minutes until it's tender before adding the whole milk and cheese.
💡Recipe FAQ
I separate the Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup into portions of 2-3 servings and put them in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze! To defrost, simply add it to the stove top and heat over medium-low heat for 10 minutes until it's completely defrosted.
Everything in moderation, right? One serving of this soup is 580 calories. You can find the full nutrition facts in the recipe card below!
Related Recipes
More soup recipes can be found below! If you are loving using your instant pot, try out my Instant Pot Split Pea Soup or Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas!
If you tried this Instant Pot Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup , or any other of the delicious recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (Instant Pot!)
Equipment
- 1 instant pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 white onion diced
- 3 carrots diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups whole milk
- 16 oz block sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 cups broccoli florets chopped
- 15 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Heat the instant pot to saute and heat the olive oil.
- Saute the onions and carrots for 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in the salt, pepper and turmeric until the veggies are coated.
- Add butter and allow to melt then sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir to coat.
- Pour in the chicken stock and stir for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Pour in the cream of cheddar soup, hot sauce, and dijon mustard then stir.
- Add the broccoli florets place the lid on the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid and set the vent to "seal" then press the "manual" button.
- Set the time for 1 minute and allow it to pressurize.
- When the 1 minute is up move the vent to quick release the pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid and stir in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese.
- You can serve immediately or turn the Instant Pot to saute mode and keep warm and allow to thicken. Enjoy!
Notes
After you've got your flour mixture cooked, be sure to add the chicken stock one cup of the broth at a time. You took the extra step to make your own cheese sauce, allow it to properly thicken so you can enjoy all of that cheesy flavor!
Honestly you can serve it in a regular bowl, but nothing beats a Panera soup served out of a bread bowl. Splurge for a bread bowl!
If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can definitely make this copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup on the stove top. Follow all the same directions, however you'll need to cook the broccoli in the hot soup for 8-10 minutes until it's tender before adding the whole milk and cheese.
Leave a Reply