This broccoli cheddar soup is loaded with tender broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, and a delicious broth. It’s oh-so-creamy and comforting — bring on the seconds!
How To Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar is one of our favorite soups because of its simple preparation and tasty payoff. Sauté the veggies, whip up the broth, and finish it off with broccoli and cheddar!
- Sauté the veggies: In a Dutch oven or large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and garlic and sauté for 5-8 minutes until softened.
- Make the broth: Sprinkle the flour over the veggies, stir, and cook for a few minutes. Gradually whisk in the broth, then stir in the half & half and season. Bring the soup to a simmer while stirring.
- Add and cook the broccoli: Add the broccoli. Cook for about 10-15 minutes on low heat until tender, stirring often.
- Melt in the cheese: Turn off the heat and mix in the cheese until smoothly melted. If needed, add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Ingredient Variations
While broccoli cheddar soup is pretty straightforward, a few tweaks can be made for personalization. Let’s dive into a few options!
- Veggies: Add potatoes and any other veggies you have on hand to increase the nutritional value!
- Broth: For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Dairy: Make this soup more rich by using heavy cream instead of half & half. Or, cut back on the calories by using whole milk.
- Seasonings: Sprinkle in garlic powder for a richer umami flavor. Or, add a twist of freshly ground black pepper for more spice.
Tips From the Kitchen
Use these simple techniques while making your soup to guarantee a lusciously smooth texture and an addicting cheesy flavor. Get ready for the best broccoli cheddar soup of your life!
- Shred the cheese yourself. Freshly grated cheese creates the smoothest texture, as pre-shredded cheese usually contains starches that inhibit melting. I love the convenience of this rotary grater.
- Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Chop the florets into small, even pieces to ensure a piece of broccoli in every bite.
- Keep stirring the soup. Broccoli cheddar soup is fairly thick, so it’s important to stir frequently while cooking. Walk away for a minute too long, and the bottom of the soup may scorch.
- Simmer the soup (avoid boiling). Like most soups and stocks, broccoli cheddar soup requires a “low and slow” approach. Boiling the soup causes the ingredients to lose their structural integrity, and it prevents the flavors from developing deeply. Cook the soup on medium-low heat, and turn it down as necessary to maintain a simmer.
- Adjust the consistency. If you prefer a smoother soup, blend a portion of it with an immersion blender before mixing it with the rest.
Ways To Serve
Broccoli cheddar soup is classic comfort food — and what goes better with soup than crusty bread? Soak up every drop of delicious soup with a slice of sourdough, miche bread, or French bread. Do you want a more impressive presentation? Make a bread bowl by cutting a circle into the top of a boule, hollowing out the center, and ladling the steaming soup inside. Garnish with extra cheese and fresh parsley or chives, then dig in!
Storing & Reheating
If you love broccoli and cheddar soup, you’ll be delighted to hear that it tastes even better the next day. Pop it in the fridge to store, then reheat whenever you’re ready for more cheesy goodness!
- Storing: This broccoli and cheddar soup stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. Freezing is not recommended due to the high amount of dairy in the soup.
- Reheating: Reheat your leftover soup in a saucepan over low heat on the stove. Avoid turning the heat up too high, as the thick soup may burn.
More Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Crab Salad — Crunchy veggies, juicy crab meat, and a creamy lemon-garlic dressing
- Broccoli Quiche — Tender broccoli chunks and a savory egg custard in a flaky crust
- One-Pan Beef and Broccoli — Sliced beef and broccoli sautéed in a sweet and salty sauce
- Alfredo Broccoli and Bacon — Broccoli and crispy bacon in a dreamy Alfredo sauce
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups half & half
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups broccoli chopped
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and garlic and sauté for 5-8 minutes until softened.
- Add the flour and cook a few minutes, mixing until well incorporated.
- Gradually whisk in the broth, then stir in the half & half and season. Bring the soup to a simmer while stirring.
- Add the broccoli. Cook for about 10-15 minutes on low heat until tender, stirring often to prevent the bottom of your pot from scorching.
- Turn off the heat and mix in the cheese until smoothly melted. If needed, add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Sooo delicious. Used to go to Panera for this soup, now Panera is at my house… also kids approved, which makes life even easier…
Homemade is always best in my opinion! So glad you and your children love this soup!