🥦🧀 Broccoli Cheddar Soup – Creamy, Cheesy & Comforting

🎉 Introduction

Warm, velvety, and loaded with flavor, Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the ultimate comfort food. This rich and creamy soup combines tender broccoli florets with sharp cheddar cheese for a hearty meal that’s perfect for chilly nights, cozy lunches, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent.

Whether served in a bread bowl, alongside crusty bread, or just on its own, this soup delivers that irresistible cheesy hug in a bowl feeling. Plus, it’s ready in under 40 minutes—making it weeknight-friendly without sacrificing that slow-cooked taste.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting board and knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Cheese grater

🛒 Ingredients

For 4–6 Servings:

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups half-and-half (or whole milk for lighter version)
• 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (plus more for garnish)
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika (optional, for warmth)

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Sauté the Aromatics
   • In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
   • Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
   • Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Make the Roux
   • Sprinkle flour over onions and stir for 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
3. Add Liquids & Veggies
   • Slowly whisk in broth until smooth, then add half-and-half.
   • Stir in broccoli and carrots. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
4. Finish with Cheese
   • Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted and smooth.
   • Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
5. Serve
   • Ladle into bowls, top with extra cheddar, and serve hot.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: ~35 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze without cheese for up to 2 months; add cheese when reheating.
• Reheat: Warm over low heat on the stove, stirring often to avoid curdling.

🥄 Variations

• Bread Bowl Version: Serve in hollowed-out sourdough loaves.
• Extra Veggies: Add cauliflower, spinach, or leeks.
• Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
• Lighter Version: Use milk instead of half-and-half and reduce cheese slightly.
• Smoky Flavor: Use smoked cheddar cheese.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this vegetarian?
   Yes—use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
2. Can I use frozen broccoli?
   Absolutely—just reduce cooking time by a few minutes.
3. Why did my soup turn grainy?
   Cheese should be added over low heat to prevent separation.
4. Can I blend the soup?
   Yes—blend partially for a creamy texture while keeping some chunks.
5. What’s the best cheddar for this soup?
   Sharp cheddar gives the richest flavor.
6. Can I make it in a slow cooker?
   Yes—cook on low for 3–4 hours, then stir in cheese before serving.
7. Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
   Freshly shredded melts smoother, but pre-shredded works in a pinch.
8. How do I thicken the soup more?
   Add a cornstarch slurry or more cheese.
9. Can I make it gluten-free?
   Yes—use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening.
10. What sides go well with it?
    Crusty bread, garlic breadsticks, or a side salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is creamy, cheesy, and endlessly comforting—perfect for any time you need a cozy meal. It’s simple to make, ready in under 40 minutes, and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.

🥦🧀 Broccoli Cheddar Soup – Creamy, Cheesy & Comforting

Warm, velvety, and loaded with flavor, Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the ultimate comfort food. This rich and creamy soup combines tender broccoli florets with sharp cheddar cheese for a hearty meal that’s perfect for chilly nights, cozy lunches, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent. Whether served in a bread bowl, alongside crusty bread, or just on its own, this soup delivers that irresistible cheesy hug in a bowl feeling. Plus, it’s ready in under 40 minutes—making it weeknight-friendly without sacrificing that slow-cooked taste.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

For 4–6 Servings:

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk for lighter version
• 3 cups broccoli florets chopped small
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded (plus more for garnish)
• ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika optional, for warmth

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting board and knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Cheese grater

Method

 

Sauté the Aromatics

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Make the Roux

1. Sprinkle flour over onions and stir for 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.

Add Liquids & Veggies

1. Slowly whisk in broth until smooth, then add half-and-half.
2. Stir in broccoli and carrots. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, until broccoli is tender.

Finish with Cheese

1. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted and smooth.
2. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Serve

1. Ladle into bowls, top with extra cheddar, and serve hot.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze without cheese for up to 2 months; add cheese when reheating.

Reheat: Warm over low heat on the stove, stirring often to avoid curdling.

🥄 Variations

Bread Bowl Version: Serve in hollowed-out sourdough loaves.

Extra Veggies: Add cauliflower, spinach, or leeks.

Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

Lighter Version: Use milk instead of half-and-half and reduce cheese slightly.

Smoky Flavor: Use smoked cheddar cheese.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes—use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Can I use frozen broccoli?
Absolutely—just reduce cooking time by a few minutes.

Why did my soup turn grainy?
Cheese should be added over low heat to prevent separation.

Can I blend the soup?
Yes—blend partially for a creamy texture while keeping some chunks.

What’s the best cheddar for this soup?
Sharp cheddar gives the richest flavor.

Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes—cook on low for 3–4 hours, then stir in cheese before serving.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Freshly shredded melts smoother, but pre-shredded works in a pinch.

How do I thicken the soup more?
Add a cornstarch slurry or more cheese.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening.

What sides go well with it?
Crusty bread, garlic breadsticks, or a side salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is creamy, cheesy, and endlessly comforting—perfect for any time you need a cozy meal. It’s simple to make, ready in under 40 minutes, and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.