Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

No need to go out to a well known bread company, this copycat broccoli cheddar soup is incredibly smooth, rich, and full of great broccoli cheese flavors!  The best part is that it’s made in just 30 minutes on your stovetop!

I’ve been tweaking this recipe for years, you guys.  So. Many. Bowls. Of. Soup!  Some form of this recipe has been on the blog since 2014, and this version takes the cake!  Deliciously creamy, thick and rich, with the perfect mixture of smoothness and texture and loaded with broccoli cheddar flavors.  You simply can’t go wrong!

This broccoli cheddar soup is sort of a copycat recipe from Panera Bread, but I honestly haven’t had that soup from there in years, so I can’t say for absolute certainty if the flavors are spot on or not.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP THICKER?

I’ve found this soup thickens up very well with the roux created by the butter and flour, but if you’re wanting to thicken it up even more, you have a few options.

• You can mix equal parts butter and flour to form a thick paste, then stir that into the soup.

• You can whisk some cornstarch into cold water or broth until the cornstarch is dissolved, and stir that into the soup.

• You can add a bit more cheese.

HOW LONG DOES BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP LAST IN THE REFRIGERATOR?

If you have any leftovers, which doesn’t happen to us very often, they’ll keep in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

CAN BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP BE MADE IN THE SLOW COOKER?

Sure can!  You’ll want to wait to add the dairy until the end, to prevent any curdling though.  I’ll have the directions below the recipe below.  The Instant Pot directions will be there as well.

CAN BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP BE FROZEN?

Yes, but just like with the slow cooker, you’ll want to make this soup without adding the dairy, since dairy doesn’t generally freeze well.  Just wait and add the dairy when you’re reheating the soup.

HOW DO YOU PUREE BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP?

Honestly you don’t even have to puree the soup if you like it chunkier, but if you like it smoother, again, you have a few options.  My personal favorite method is to use an immersion blender, which you can use right in the pot!  Or you can transfer some of the soup to a traditional blender, just be careful, since the soup is hot.

PRO TIPS FOR MAKING BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP:

• Make sure to chop the broccoli into small florets, otherwise they won’t be tender in time.  

• Alternatively, you can par-cook the broccoli (and the carrots) in the microwave for a few minutes, which will help them soften in less time in the soup.

• To prevent a grainy soup, add the cheese one handful at a time, mixing well between handfuls, and have the heat turned off when you’re adding the cheese.

• For best results, shred your own cheese.  Not only is it cheaper, it melts SO much better than the pre-shredded kind.

• Serve this broccoli cheese soup with some crusty bread, caesar salad, or some ham and cheese sliders!

• I like to garnish this soup with a sprinkle of black pepper, some extra cheddar cheese and sometimes some crunchy croutons.  Sounds weird, but croutons in soup are amazing!

Instructions

1. Add 1 Tbsp butter to the dutch oven and heat over MED heat.  Add chopped onion and saute until onions are soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.  Add 1/4 cup butter to the dutch oven, still over MED heat. When melted, add flour and whisk together. Cook mixture for about 1 minute, whisking often.

2. Slowly pour in about a cup of chicken broth, whisking as you pour.  Continue with remaining chicken broth and half and half, pouring slowly and whisking as you pour.  

3. Let broth/half and half mixture cook for a minute or two, whisking often, making sure no flour lumps remain.

4. Add broccoli and carrots and stir to combine.  Add paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper, stir.  Reduce heat to LOW/MED LOW and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until thickened and broccoli/carrots are fork tender.  If the soup gets too thick for your liking, add a splash of chicken broth or half and half to loosen it up.

5. Blend soup until desired texture is reached, using either immersion blender or by transferring soup to a traditional blender.  

6. Add grated cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring to melt the cheese into the soup after each handful.  Taste soup and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

7. Serve hot with additional black pepper and shredded cheese on top if desired.

Chef Tips 

SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:

• Omit butter from the recipe, add onions, broccoli, carrots, salt, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and black pepper to the slow cooker.

• Whisk flour and chicken broth together until no lumps remain, then add to slow cooker and stir to combine all ingredients.  

• Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.

• About 30 minutes before serving, add half and half and cheese, stirring well.

• Cover and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.

• Blend to desired texture and serve.

  
  

 INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS:

Press Saute and cook butter and onion until onions are soft.

• Add additional butter and flour, then whisk.  Cook for about 1 minute.

• Add broccoli, carrots, salt, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and black pepper to the pot.  Pour in chicken broth.

• Secure lid and move valve to the sealing position.  Set on Manual/Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.

• Let the pressure release naturally, then stir in half and half and cheese until cheese is melted.

• Blend to desired texture and serve.