Name: Better Than Panera Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 4 tablespoons butter; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups chicken broth; 2 cups whole milk; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed; 3 cups freshly shredded sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon paprika; ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper

Description

This Better Than Panera Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is rich, creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender broccoli, sharp white cheddar, and cream cheese. Made almost entirely in the slow cooker, it’s an easy copycat recipe that’s even better than the restaurant favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
3 cups freshly shredded sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until smooth.
Slowly whisk in the milk until completely smooth. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Pour the mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the broccoli, onion, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the broccoli is very tender.
Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup, leaving plenty of broccoli pieces for texture.
Turn the slow cooker to Warm. Stir in the cream cheese until completely melted.
Gradually stir in the freshly shredded white cheddar until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra shredded white cheddar and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes

Freshly shred your own cheese for the smoothest texture.
Do not boil the soup after adding the cheese or it can become grainy.
Blend only part of the soup if you prefer a chunky broccoli cheddar soup.
Frozen broccoli can be substituted without thawing.
For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 HOURS
Category: Dinner
Method: SLOW COOKER
Cuisine: American