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The key to replicating Panera’s iconic soup lies in crafting a superb cheese sauce. The process begins with preparing a smooth, creamy cheese mixture from scratch, emphasizing the importance of grated cheese over pre-shredded varieties. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly into the sauce, contributing to that authentic, velvety finish. The recipe calls for a combination of pasteurized processed cheese and milk, which creates a rich, mellow base.