Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup - The Chunky Chef (2024)

This hearty broccoli cheddar soup is loaded with mouthwatering flavors, yet uses everyday ingredients, and is ready in about 30 minutes!

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!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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 certain 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.

1. You can mix equal parts butter and flour to form a thick paste, then stir that into the soup.
2. You can whisk some cornstarch into cold water or broth until the cornstarch is dissolved, and stir that into the soup.
3. 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 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:

1. Make sure to chop the broccoli into small florets, otherwise they won’t be tender in time.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. For best results, shred your own cheese. Not only is it cheaper, it melts SO much better than the pre-shredded kind.
5. Serve this broccoli cheese soup with some crusty bread, caesar salad, or some ham and cheese sliders!
6. 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!

OTHER GREAT SOUP RECIPES:

• Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo
• Crockpot Taco Soup
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
• Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
• Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup
• Beef Barley Soup
• Cheese Ham Chowder

SHOP THE RECIPE:

• Immersion Blender – No need to transfer anything to another appliance, blend the soup right in the pot!
• Traditional Blender – Sometimes the original is all you need!
• Dutch Oven – Enameled cast iron is my favorite vessel to cook soup in! LeCreuset is my favorite brand, but they’re pricey, so this Lodge is a good alternative!