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Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup

This Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup recipe is comfort food for the soul. Crisp fall and chilly winter weather beg for the creamy texture and the flavor of rich cheddar with pieces of broccoli. It’s oh, so good! Now there’s no need to fight the weather, make it when you crave it–this recipe is one you’ll make over and over again!

Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Add more cheese or a dash of Tobasco Sauce, it’s even good with a can of green chiles. Follow the basic recipe and customize to your own preference.

  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Function and Time: Manual or Pressure Cook 12 minutes, Saute 3-minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Release Method + Time: Natural Pressure Release 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup Ingredient list

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup julienne-cut carrots
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans of low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (16 ounce) Velveeta Cheese 
  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli, defrosted
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 Tbsp Flour
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup  Recipe Method

  1. Prepare Instant Pot. Press Sauté and add butter to the pot.
  2. Prepare Ingredients. Add onion and carrots and sauté for 3-minutes. Add broccoli, Velveeta and chicken broth.
  3. Lock the Lid and Set the Time. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it into place. Turn valve to the “sealing” position. Press Manual or Pressure Cook and set the time for 4-minutes.
  4. Natural Pressure Release. When the timer beeps, allow a Natural Pressure Release for 5 minutes. Then a Quick Release to release any remaining pressure; keeping hands and face away from steam.
  5. Finish Soup and Serve. In a small mixing bowl whisk the flour into the milk. Open the lid of the Instant pot and add the broccoli. Whisk in the milk and flour mixture and half and half. Press the “Saute” button. Stir in the cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper and whisk until smooth serve.
Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Instant Pot Copy Cat Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup Recipe

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes

This Instant Pot Copy Can Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup recipe is comfort food for the soul.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup julienne-cut carrots
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans of low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (16 ounce) Velveeta Cheese 
  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli, defrosted
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 Tbsp Flour
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Instant Pot. Press Sauté and add butter to the pot.
  2. Prepare Ingredients. Add onion and carrots and sauté for 3-minutes. Add broccoli, Velveeta and chicken broth.
  3. Lock the Lid and Set the Time. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it into place. Turn valve to the “sealing” position. Press Manual or Pressure Cook and set the time for 4-minutes.
  4. Natural Pressure Release. When the timer beeps, allow a Natural Pressure Release for 5 minutes. Then a Quick Release to release any remaining pressure; keeping hands and face away from steam.
  5. Finish Soup and Serve. In a small mixing bowl whisk the flour into the milk. Open the lid of the Instant pot and add the broccoli. Whisk in the milk and flour mixture and half and half. Press the "Saute" button. Stir in the cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper and whisk until smooth serve.

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About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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