Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

½ onion, chopped

¼ cup melted butter

¼ cup all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

2 cups chicken stock

1 ½ cups coarsely chopped broccoli florets

1 cup matchstick-cut carrots

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

2 ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Gather all ingredients.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

Whisk 1/4 cup melted butter and flour together in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk and cook, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk if necessary to keep the flour from burning, 3 to 4 minutes.

Gradually add milk while whisking constantly; stir in chicken stock and bring to a simmer.

Cook until mixture is thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Add broccoli, carrots, celery, and sautéed onion; simmer until all the vegetables are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in Cheddar cheese until melted; season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 441 kcal
• Total Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 96 mg
• Sodium: 656 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g
• Total Sugars: 6 g
• Protein: 22 g