This creamy soup whips up in mere minutes and tastes 10x better than Panera’s broccoli cheese soup! A perfect lunchtime soup with fresh bread.
Yo. Welcome to so-crazy-soup Saturday.
Yes, I just made that up on the spot. Kinda describes my cray mood today. 😀
I’m kinda exhausted at the moment, so please pardon my insane babbling. We arrived home from our trip at about 1am last night and I can already tell that today is going to be one of those I-need-to-stick-my-head-in-a-sink-of-coffee kinda days.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen all the fun times we’ve been having in Hot Springs, AR. It’s been awesome, but after nearly two weeks being gone, I will be MORE than happy to sleep in my own bed and cook in my own kitchen again.
Now let’s talk soup, which I’m pretty sure is the REAL reason you’re here. 😉
Raise your hand if you adore Panera with every ounce of your soul.
*raises both hands while doing an Irish jig.*
Don’t picture that. Your eyeballs might fall off.
Anywhoooo today’s soup is a spin-off of Panera Bread’s oh-so cozy and 100% best-ever broccoli cheddar-cheese soup. Except this is MY version and MY version doesn’t even require having to change outta your pajamas or put makeup on.
In other words, you don’t even have to leave the house to eat Panera-style. Or shell out the big bucks just for a teeny-tiny little bowl of soup.
It’s also a plus that this soup is about 1.5 billion times tastier than Panera. Seriously, it is so SO creamy and cheesy. Loaded with tender broccoli and shredded carrots, and SURPRISE! It’s even lower in calories if you can believe that. 😀
No, I can’t. But I’m not going to question it either. 😉
But it’s true: Panera’s broccoli cheese soup has a whopping 330 calories just in one bowl. My version is only 230 calories per bowl.
That’s a 100 calorie difference, guys. Wowzers….
You kinda need this soup on your lunch menu this weekend. Pair it with some freshly-baked bread and your lunch hour is complete.
I’m sharing this Broccoli Cheese Soup over on Dessert Now Dinner Later today, so hop on over there to get the recipe! Happy soup-slurping. 🙂
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
I hope you saved me a bowl because I am ready for soup!!! This looks amazing Sarah and I am adding it to my meal plan this week. By the way, I made your white chicken chili this past week for dinner and it turned out amazing!! Thanks for that.
Your new profile picture is absolutely adorable! I love it!! Have a great weekend. 🙂
Sarah says
I’m SO happy to hear that this white chili was a hit!
Oh, and thanks for noticing my new profile! Hope you’re having a good weekend, too! 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Hooray for saved calories and MORE flavor!!!! Your version looks a billion times better than Panera’s! Plus…I used to work at Panera in High School and I just never got over how gross the soup looked in the plastic bags they ship and warm it in. Pinned!
Sarah says
That’s so cool that you worked at Paneras! I’ll bet you got all kinds of awesome freebies! 🙂 Thanks for pinning, friend!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This soup looks incredible, Sarah!! I love Panera’s version, but this definitely looks like it rivals it. And by saving 100 calories a bowl?! Count me in! This looks like the perfect bowl of comfort food to me
Sarah says
Thanks so much Gayle! This version definitely blow Paneras outta the park! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Mmmm I love Panera but your soup definitely looks a bazillion times better! I am always ready for soup and could go for a big bowl right now! Pinning!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Kelly! Hope you’re having a great weekend girl!
Momma Baker says
I love Panera, but I do agree there bowls are tiny and there prices are way too high for a bowl of soup.And fewer calories you say,count me in!Pinned!
Sarah says
It’s a total win-win for sure! 😉 Thanks for pinning!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Sarah you always get this amazing dishes on the table.. oh how i love this soup.. love the flavours.. so beautiful.. 🙂
Sarah says
Aww thanks Arpita! You’re too sweet. 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I love broccoli soup like this!! I’ve never had it at Panera, but it looks just like this soup I always order at a restaurant in Lake Geneva. I am definitely making this soon!!!
Sarah says
I hope you’ll LMK how this soup turns out, Liz!
P.S. Lake Geneva isn’t too far away from where I am in WI! 🙂
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
I love broccoli and cheese soup! It’s one of my favorites! This version looks delicious!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! It sounds like you would love this soup!
Danielle says
Hope you had a great time in Arkansas! This soup looks deeeliiiccccious! Josh is obsessed with Panera’s broccoli cheese soup, but this looks better 😉
Sarah says
We had a great time! Happy to be home though. 🙂 And you should totally make this soup for Josh! He’ll love you forever I guarantee. LOL. 😉
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Hope you are having a great time! That is a long time to be away from home. I’m spending my third night in a hotel room and can not wait to get home and see my dog!
This soup looks totally amazing. Love ordering soup at Panera, but this one looks so much better!
Sarah says
I heard about you and your sons college visits—Hope that’s going well for you guys!
And you would totally love this soup, girl! Blows Panera away. 😉
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh yeah, yum! I love how chunky this soup is… sometimes broccoli-cheese soups are too runny. Chunks are the best! This looks so hearty and delish.
Sarah says
That’s so true—I can’t stand runny broccoli cheese soup. Thick and chunky is definitely the way to go! 😀 Thanks Jess!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Sarah! A Panera just opened next to my work, and I’ve gotten broccoli cheese soup for lunch a few times a week ever since. I’m obsessed! I can’t wait to make it myself!
Sarah says
Ahh!! LUCKY. I would probably end up going there for lunch everyday! 😀 LMK if you make this soup, Natalie! 😉
Serena Fuson says
I don’t see the recipe… is there a link?