Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

My favorite soup is Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup unfortunately my wallet doesn't like it as much.  So after I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest the other week I was ecstatic!  It was very easy to make and really tastes like it's from Panera.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup flour

1 cup half and half

1 cup milk

2 cups chicken stock (I used broth since I already had some in my pantry)

1/2 lb fresh broccoli, chopped

1 cup carrot, shredded and chopped

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cardamom (I didn't add this since I didn't have any)

8oz grated sharp chedder cheese

4oz velveeta

Step 1: Saute onion and garlic in butter.

Step 2: Add flour, stirring constantly.

Step 3: Add half and half, milk, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.

Step 4: Add broccoli and carrots.

Step 5: Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.

Step 6: Stir in cheeses and nutmeg.

Step 7: Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe adapted from Mangio Da Sola

This recipe is definitely worth trying! 

And it goes great with a sandwich made from leftover Thanksgiving ham or turkey.

~Julia