CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL

Cheesy Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl image

This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie's Noshery. -Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

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

Steps:

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 422 calories, Fat 32g fat (19g saturated fat), Cholesterol 107mg cholesterol, Sodium 904mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.