How to Make Panera’s Cheesy Broccoli Soup

I thought it was spring???? And since we are having temperatures in the 40’s this Panera Copycat Cheesy Soup is a great homemade meal to cozy up with.  Just don’t forget the wine. Serves 6 Total Time: 45 minutes 

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup butter, cubed 
1/2 cup chopped onion 
2 garlic cloves, minced 
4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 8 ounces) 
1 large carrot, finely chopped 
3 cups chicken stock 
2 cups half-and-half cream 
2 bay leaves 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/4 teaspoon pepper 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
1/4 cup water or additional chicken stock 
2-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 
6 small round bread loaves (about 8 ounces each), optional 
Optional toppings: Crumbled cooked bacon, additional shredded cheddar cheese, ground nutmeg and pepper

Directions:

In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat butter over medium heat; saute onion and garlic until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in broccoli, carrot, stock, cream and seasonings; bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cheese until melted. If using bread bowls, cut a slice off the top of each bread loaf; hollow out bottoms, leaving 1/4-in.-thick shells (save removed bread for another use). Fill with soup just before serving. If desired, serve soup with toppings. (Especially bacon!)