As the weather cools, our focus on good health often drifts. Not only are we more susceptible to nasty winter lurgies, but the temptation to hibernate can mean less moving and not as much focus on the right food for optimal health.
Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to fuel our bodies with nutrient-rich, warming foods. Homemade soup and stews can be the cornerstone of a healthy and delicious winter wellness routine. Plus when it’s really cold and windy outside, there is nothing better than to return home and eat some yummy, warm, creamy soup!
It just make you feel better.
I love so much about homemade soups, including their immense versatility. You can make them from nearly anything you have in the kitchen and there are endless possible combinations. I’ve included a few of my favorite ingredients (for both flavor and health) here, which you can use to prepare a delicious and healthy dish.
A to Z of wellness (part 1)
Besides adding flavour to our meals, broccoli is packed with antioxidants, which may help lower the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease. It is also rich in vitamins C and K, folic acid, and a variety of minerals.
Black Pepper – warming and supports digestive system
Carrots are more than a tasty addition to almost any dish. They are also good for your body’s overall health, especially that of the skin, eyes, digestive system and teeth!
To make this soup gluten-free you can use pureed potato to thicken the soup without using a flour-based roux or use sweet rice flour in place of all purpose flour.
Conclusion – Within about 45 minutes to an hour, I’d pulled together this soup recipe and, the proof is in the pictures….this dinner was a HIT !!!
So if you like soups just go ahead and try out this Homemade Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup.
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping [freshly grated]
- 1 heaping cup of regular gouda cheese [freshly grated]
- 1 cup fresh carrots
- 2 small white onion
- 2 large cloves of garlic
- 1 cup half and half
- 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp dried basil
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp salt
- dash of ground black pepper, to taste
- -----------------------------------------
- adapted from peas & crayons
Instructions
- Dice the onions, mince the garlic and shred the carrot.
- For the broccoli :
- Chop 2/3 of it into tiny florets and then take the remaining 1/3 and give it a rough chop so you have a few large pieces to add to the soup.
- Place chicken broth, broccoli, onion, garlic, carrots, and bay leaf to a pot and cook over medium-high heat 8-10 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil.
- Cook 4-6 minutes more or until broccoli is tender.
- Once the broth is done, start your roux:
- In a large pot, melt 3 tablespoons of butter on medium heat, whisking constantly.
- Once melted, slowly add 3 tablespoons of flour as you continue to whisk.
- Remove from heat and pour in the broth-veggie mixture and slowly stir in 1 cup of room temperature half and half.
- Place on very low heat, uncovered.
- Remove bay leaves from the pot and season with the above herbs and spices.
- Add the cheddar and gouda cheese a handful at a time, stirring to melt the cheese after each addition.
- Serve immediately in bowls or bread bowls.
- Steam reserved broccoli in your microwave.
- Garnish the soup with the reserved broccoli florets and a little extra grated cheddar.
- Bon appétit!
This was delicious! How many calories per serving?
Hi Sarah,thanks.Per serving they have 300 calorie.
Can you make this soup & freeze it?
Hi,Jen,I don’t try by that,but you can try it.
how much is one serving?
I have never had Gouda cheese,
Can you describe the taste for me?
I there a substitute for it?
Thank you
Hi,Karen.It’s for 4 people .
You can use only cheddar cheese.
Gouda is amazing!!!!! It is very creamy. Hmmmm The taste is hard to describe- a tad bit nutty and somewhat mild. Somewhat like mozzarella maybe.
I can’t wait to try this.
I freeze broccoli cheese soup all the time and it works great.
Hi do you think you could post all of the nutritional information for this soup please. I need to know calories, fat, carbs, fiber, protein, and serving size. Thanks
Jacky
Hi Jacky,
Nutrition Facts:Calories 300
Calories from fat 171
Total Fat 19g
Cholesterol 65mg
Sodium 1250mg
Total Carbs. 21g
Dietary Fiber 7g
Sugars 0g
Protein 12g
Calcium 350mg
How to burn 300 calories
78mins-walking
34mins-jogging
25mins-swimming
40mins-cycling
Where do the carbs come from? Most of the items listed in the ingredients practically have no carbs or practically no carbs so I’m wondering where they come from.
Love your blog! I will be making the panera broccoli cheese soup and pair it with the cheese bread sticks for dinner. Thanks 🙂
We just made this soup!! It is wonderful!! We love it! Thanks for sharing!!
Hi. Any idea if this would work with 2% milk? I’m out of half and half. Thanks.
Of course. JUSt lower fat, lower calories, but not as full flavor
Made this soup on Sat. OMG so good.
Thank you Sarah. I love Panera’s broccoli soup. I can’t wait to make this on a cool autumn day.
Oh! And I used a combo of cheddar, havarti and muenster cheese.
Looks just like yours but it’s too sweet. What can I do?
Too sweet