Recipe: Copycat Broccoli Cheese Soup

I honestly could eat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup every day; but my wallet says otherwise. So what is a mama to do to get her Broccoli Cheese Soup fix? Make her own Copycat Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe of course!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups half-and-half (I made my own with 2% milk- see recipe below)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 pound fresh broccoli ( florets only)
• 1 cup carrots, julienne
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ginger (or Nutmeg)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• Saute onions in a dab of butter in small pan – set aside.
• In a large pot– melt butter and add flour. Mix for 3 minutes.
• Slowly add half- half – mixing the entire time.
• ***** I did not have Half and Half. I used 3 tablespoons melted butter and the rest 2% milk to add up to 2 cups. *****
• Add Chicken Broth- mixing the entire time.
• Simmer on low for 20 minutes.
• Add broccoli, carrots; onions and cook on low for 25 minutes.
• Season with salt, pepper, and ginger. (The recipe originally called for nutmeg, but my son has a nut allergy and I wasn’t sure if he could have that.)
• Add cheese and heat on Low until cheese is melted.
• Serve and Enjoy!

My own Half and Half:

Before cheese was added: