Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
This velvety Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup packs all of the flavor and creamy texture of Panera’s version but with half of the calories. Added bonus–it cooks up in just 30 minutes!
It’s still a little early for soup season here in SoCal, but the minute the temperature drops below 70 degrees, this So-Cal-born-and-raised gal considers it practically winter.
Soups, stews, slow-cooked meals, warmly spiced drinks–I’ll take them all!
I asked my Instagram followers which soups they’d most like to see lightened up, and broccoli cheddar soup was clearly the most popular request. Particularly, a copycat of the Panera version.
I do have a recipe on my blog for Broccoli Cheese Soup that is mainly plant based. The “creamy” base is cauliflower and other veggies blended up. Super delicious and good for you. You must try it!
But that version wouldn’t satisfy a Panera soup craving. The version I’m sharing with you now tastes just like it’s made with heavy cream, butter, and tons of cheese–lightened up just enough and totally guilt free! Half of the calories of the Panera version with all of the flavor.
Adaptations for Allergies and Other food preferences
I always try to keep my gluten-free friends in mind when I create a recipe. It’s really not as hard as you think to make most recipes easily adaptable to a gluten-free diet.
Most recipes call for a roux of butter and flour, but you can achieve a similar texture by combining cornstarch and liquid. So simple.
You can definitely make this dairy-free, too. Just use a plant-based, unsweetened creamer in place of the half and half (I like Nutpods original), along with a vegan cheddar cheese. The macros and points might change slightly, but it won’t be too much of a difference.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about substitutions. I’ll try my best to answer them.
How To Make Lightened Up BrocColi CHeddar Soup in 30 Minutes
This is an insanely easy recipe. It comes together in one pot and in under 30 minutes. You really can’t ask for much more!
The only step that might take some time is prepping your veggies. I highly recommend grating your own carrots on a box grater if you have the time. The taste is so much better than buying pre-shredded carrots. But don’t worry if you don’t have time for that–your soup will still taste great.
Same goes for broccoli florets in a bag. That is a great time saver, and I’ve done it before, but buying your own head of broccoli and cutting the florets off is better. I find that one large head of broccoli comes out to 8 ounces, which is what you need for the recipe.
The pièce de résistance that makes this whole recipe come together is my trick for subbing heavy cream and butter in dishes like this. It’s all about that almond milk, half and half, and cornstarch combo.
If you’ve made cream sauces from this blog like my Tuscan Garlic Chicken or Creamy Mushroom Parmesan Chicken, this combo will look familiar. It is a total game changer.
I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! Leaving a starred review and comment below helps my blog grow. I’m always grateful when you can take the time to do that!
It also makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there!
Print Recipe
Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This velvety Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup packs all of the flavor and creamy texture of Panera's version but with half of the calories. Added bonus–it cooks up in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 178kcal
Author: Geri
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fat-free chicken stock
- 2 1/2 cups unsweetened, plain almond milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 8 ounces broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 ounces reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese shreds
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
Instructions
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Spritz with cooking spray, then add the onion. Sauté until onions are just soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
Add chicken stock to the pot. In a separate bowl, whisk together almond milk, half and half, and cornstarch. Add this mixture to the pot and bring to a boil.
When liquid is boiling, mix in broccoli, carrots, dijon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cover pot and lower to a mild simmer (around low-medium heat).
Simmer for about 20 minutes. Remove lid, turn off heat, and whisk in cheese, a handful at a time, to avoid clumping.
Whisk cheese, a handful at a time, into the soup until melted. Continue with all of the cheese.
Let soup stand for about 5 minutes, to thicken up.
Notes
Each serving is 1 1/2 cups
Click here to determine your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe (if you are logged in to your WW app, it should calculate for you automatically)
5 WW SmartPoints on Green, Blue, and Purple
Nutrition
Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 683mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g
FAQs
Is broccoli soup good for you? Most of the time, broccoli cheese soup isn't the healthiest option since it has lots of cheese and heavy cream. This version is lightened up with evaporated skim milk and less cheese. It also uses extra vegetables that are blended to create some of the creaminess in the soup.
Is panera broccoli cheddar soup healthy? ›
The Unhealthiest Panera Soup: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Besides its 11 grams of saturated fat, this soup is suffused with sodium. In a 1-cup serving, expect 46% of the daily recommended limit of 2,300 milligrams. "Diets high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure," says Michelle Rauch, MS, RDN.
What pairs well with broccoli cheddar soup? ›
Classic soups like these are fantastic when paired with something else, like cheese sandwiches or crusty bread. Now, mix with a great side dish like soft cornbread or crunchy salad, and you'll take this meal to the next level of soup heaven.
Did Panera change their broccoli cheddar soup? ›
It's here: our new clean Broccoli Cheddar Soup. No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. We're adding #SoupReview tweets to our never-ending trailer at PaneraSoupReview.com.
What does broccoli soup do to your body? ›
Broccoli helps in protecting the blood vessels from any kind of damage. It contains fatty acids and fibers which regulate blood pressure in the body. Sulforaphane present in broccoli has anti-inflammatory properties preventing and reversing the damage to the linings of blood vessels.
Is broccoli soup good for the liver? ›
Liver Detoxification: Broccoli contains compounds, such as glucosinolates and sulfur, which support the liver's detoxification process. These compounds help activate enzymes in the liver that assist in detoxifying and eliminating harmful substances from the body.
What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›
6 delicious and healthy soups
- Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
- Green spring minestrone.
- Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
- Lamb shank and barley soup.
- Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
- Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
#SpoonTip: For a full list of Panera's nutrition facts, be sure to check out their complete nutrition guide.
- Black Bean Soup. Calories: 140 Fat: 2g Carbs: 40g Protein: 7g. ...
- Low-Fat Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
- Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice Soup. ...
- Vegan Lentil Quinoa Broth Bowl. ...
- Soba Noodle Broth Bowl with Chicken.
Being able to choose a half portion of any sandwich, soup, or salad is one of the best parts of Panera's menu. For a nutritious option, we suggest half of the Tuna Salad Sandwich, which will give you 15 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and only 2.5 grams of saturated fat—all for only 350 calories.
Is broccoli cheddar soup good for constipation? ›
Packed with fibre but low in calories, broccoli is one of the best foods for fighting constipation. It also contains sulforaphane, a substance that can help protect your gut from common digestive problems. It may also help prevent bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine that can disrupt normal digestion.
Broccoli makes some people gassy and bloated. It contains raffinose, a type of sugar that isn't digested in the intestines. Instead, the gut bacteria use fermentation to digest raffinose, and gas and bloating are side effects of this fermentation process.
How long does it take for broccoli cheddar soup to go bad? ›
HOW LONG IS BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP GOOD FOR? If you have any leftovers, just seal them in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. The soup should last for at least a week, maybe even longer. If it starts to look or smell off, then you should toss it.
Does Panera soup and grocery store taste the same? ›
Our Panera at Home products are inspired by the recipes served in our bakery-cafes, but the recipes are not identical. While they're not the exact same, they let you enjoy the flavor profiles of your Panera favorites! Do Panera at Home products taste exactly like they do when served at the bakery-cafe?
Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste gritty? ›
The temperature you cook Broccoli Cheese Soup at is key to making sure it doesn't end up grainy or curdled. Medium heat is best for dairy-based soups so it doesn't boil and curdle.
What was Panera previously called? ›
It Was Originally Called St.
Back in the '80s, Panera Bread was no more than a humble little Missouri-based bread chain named St. Louis Bread Co.. That is, until the same guys who founded Au Bon Pain in 1981 eventually bought up those shops and transformed them into the trusty Panera we know and love today.
Does broccoli cheddar soup have a lot of calories? ›
Broccoli cheddar soup calories may vary depending on what was added to it. Most of them will fall between 175 calories to 450 calories per serving/bowl. Our healthy broccoli cheddar soup recipe has about 197 calories per serving.
Is Panera broccoli cheddar soup high in sodium? ›
Nutrition & Allergens
Indicates that the sodium (salt) content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit (2,300 mg). High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease and stroke.
Does Panera broccoli cheddar soup have added sugar? ›
Milk, Chicken Stock (Chicken Base [Chicken Meat Including Chicken Juices, Salt, Chicken Fat, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Potato Flour, Carrot Powder, Turmeric]), Water, Broccoli, Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Whey, Whey Protein ...
Is broccoli cheddar soup high in calories? ›
12 oz of broccoli cheddar soup (Panera Bread) contains 297 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 27% carbs, 56% fat, and 17% protein. This is a good source of protein (22% of your Daily Value), fiber (26% of your Daily Value), and calcium (36% of your Daily Value).
