Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With a smooth, creamy texture from the cheddar cheese, this soup is rich and comforting. Made in one pot with fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar, and a few simple ingredients, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal.
This Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the perfect cozy dish! I love serving it along with a warm ciabatta bread or with a side of crispy garlic bread for dipping. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for lunch with a salad or sandwich, or as a cozy weeknight starter.
This soup isn’t just about warmth, it’s a celebration of simple, healthy ingredients. Packed with nutritious broccoli, flavorful spices, and creamy texture, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Let’s make a bowl of soup that’s as comforting as it is delicious!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Quick and Easy: Simple ingredients and an easy process make this perfect for busy weeknights.
- Rich Comfort: Creamy and velvety, it’s the ultimate cozy meal for chilly days.
- Make It Yours: Adjust the thickness, spice, or cheese to your liking.
- Great for Leftovers: It stores well, so you can enjoy it over the next few days.
- Family Favorite: Everyone loves the cheesy goodness and tender broccoli!
🧾Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this broccoli cheddar soup recipe:
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets are the star here, giving the soup an earthy flavor and slight crunch. They're packed with nutrients, and you can mix in cauliflower for variety.
- Oil: A little vegetable oil helps sauté the onions and garlic, bringing out their sweetness and adding richness to the soup.
- Onion & Garlic: Sautéed onion adds sweetness and depth, while garlic gives the soup a bold, savory boost.
- Seasoning: Salt enhances all the flavors, black pepper adds a gentle kick, and paprika brings a smoky touch and lovely color.
- Flour: Flour helps thicken the soup, creating that perfect creamy texture.
- Vegetable Stock: The base of the soup, it adds savory richness. You can swap it for chicken or mushroom stock if you prefer.
- Carrot: A touch of carrot adds natural sweetness, balance, and a pop of color.
- Milk & Cream: Milk makes the soup creamy and light, while heavy cream adds indulgent richness.
- Cheddar Cheese: The star ingredient for flavor, cheddar melts into the soup, making it cheesy, creamy, and so satisfying. Gouda or Monterey Jack work too for a twist!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, salt, and pepper; sauté until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Sprinkle flour over the sautéed onions and garlic, stirring constantly to form a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
3. Gradually add the vegetable stock while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Then, stir in paprika and adjust the seasoning to taste.
4. Stir in the grated carrot and broccoli florets, mixing well.
5. Add milk and heavy cream, then stir until well combined.
6. Simmer the soup for 15-20 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
7. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and blends completely.
8. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with extra shredded cheddar if desired, and serve with your favorite bread or crackers. Enjoy!
📖Variations
- Broccoli & Cauliflower Blend: Combining broccoli and cauliflower gives the soup a delicious twist with extra flavor and variety.
- Broccoli & Potato Soup: Add diced potatoes for a heartier, creamier soup that’s extra filling.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch for a gluten-free version.
- Bacon Topping: Crumbled crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory touch that pairs perfectly with the cheddar.
- Blue Cheese Twist: For a bold flavor, use blue cheese instead of cheddar, it’s tangy, rich, and unique!
🍽 What to Serve with Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This creamy, cheesy broccoli cheddar soup is so simple and comforting!
Pair it with warm, crusty ciabatta or buttery garlic bread to soak up every drop of that delicious flavor.
For something fresh on the side, a bright tomato salad or creamy avocado pear salad works beautifully.
And let’s not forget dessert! Treat yourself to a sweet peach cobbler pudding or a classic banana pudding to wrap up the meal perfectly.
💭Tips for Success
Sauté for Flavor: Cook onions and garlic until soft and fragrant, they’re the heart of the soup’s flavor.
Master the Roux: Mix the flour well with the onions and garlic, and cook for a couple of minutes to avoid any raw flour taste.
Season as You Go: Add salt and pepper little by little, especially since cheese adds saltiness. Taste and adjust at the end.
Smooth or Chunky: Blend the soup for a creamy texture or leave it chunky if you like a hearty bite.
Gentle with Dairy: Keep the heat low after adding milk, cream, or cheese to avoid curdling.
Store Smart: Cool the soup before storing it. Refrigerate for 3 days or freeze the base (minus dairy) for later.
🍲More Soup Recipes to Try!
If you're loving this broccoli cheddar soup, you'll also adore these tasty soup recipes:
- Butternut Squash Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Lentil Soup with Vegetables
- Chicken Soup
- Avgolemono Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
- Black Eyed Peas Recipe
🍛More Comfort Food Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite comfort food recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 400 g Broccoli Florets
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- ½ Onion
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- 4 tablespoon Flour
- 600 ml Vegetable Stock
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Carrot
- 240 ml Milk
- 240 ml Heavy Cream
- 220 g Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli into small florets.
- In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, salt and black pepper. Sauté until onions are translucent.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir continuously to make a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate the raw taste of the flour.
- Gradually pour in the vegetable stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add paprika. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
- Add grated carrot and broccoli florets to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Add milk and heavy cream. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the soup to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional shredded cheddar if desired.
- Serve the broccoli soup hot and enjoy with your favorite bread or crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
Super healthy and delicious