Broccoli Cheddar Soup | One Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Are you in search of a comforting, hearty, and quick meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than One-Pan Broccoli Cheddar Soup! This easy recipe is not only delicious but also perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something warm and satisfying.

What Makes This A Family Favorite Comfort Cook

• Quick and Convenient. You’ll love that this recipe is perfect for any busy weeknight and is ready to devour in under 30 minutes. Most of that time is hands-off, allowing you to attend to other tasks while it simmers away.
• Feeds a Crowd. Whether you’re hosting guests, have a larger family, or just love leftovers, our broccoli cheddar soup recipe is designed to cater to a hungry crowd. You’ll have plenty for everyone, and it reheats beautifully.
• Customize to Your Taste. Are you dealing with picky eaters or simply enjoy experimenting in the kitchen? This soup is incredibly adaptable. You can tweak it to suit your flavor preferences, making it as cheesy or as broccoli-packed as you like.
• Budget-Friendly Flavor. With rising grocery costs, budget-friendly recipes are a treasure. You’ll be delighted to know that you can feed the entire family for under $20 with this soup, making it both tasty and affordable.

What Is The Best Cheese To Melt In Soup?

The best cheese to melt in broccoli cheddar soup is typically cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese has excellent melting properties and will create a smooth, creamy texture in soups.

If you’re looking for a strong cheesy flavor in this soup, opt for a sharp cheddar. It adds a strong cheese flavor without impacting the texture of the soup.

For a smooth texture, consider shredding your own cheese. Preshredded cheese is covered in a thin coating to prevent it from clumping in the bag. It can cause a lumpy texture in the soup broth when added in large quantities.

Why Does My Broccoli Soup Taste Bland?

Typically a bland dish lacks flavor because it isn’t seasoned well. This can be especially true with this Broccoli Cheddar soup recipe. The salt and pepper quantities included in the ingredient list of this recipe are simply a recommendation. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your personal preferences.

In addition to adjusting the amounts of salt and pepper used, you can also adjust the amount of cheddar cheese and hot sauce. Keep in mind that adding more cheddar cheese will thicken the soup. Consider including additional milk or heavy cream to thin the soup without sacrificing flavor.

How Can I Thicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup?

The roux that you create at the beginning of this recipe is what thickens the broccoli cheddar soup. If you want to thicken the soup even more, there are a few different methods you can use:

• Add more cheese. Adding more shredded cheddar cheese will thicken the broth in the soup. Slowly add more cheese and stir until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Use heavy cream. Instead of using milk in this recipe, you can use heavy cream. It will thicken the soup more than milk. Keep in mind that it will add more calories to each serving.
• Blend and combine. To thicken the soup without adding more calories, remove half of the soup and blend it. Stir it back into the unblinded portion of the soup for a creamier consistency.

Ingredients To Grab

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to grab before you get started:

• Butter– The base for making a roux. It helps thicken the broth and provides a rich, creamy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour– Flour is combined with the butter to create a roux, which serves as a thickening agent for the soup.
• Minced Garlic– Sautéed with the butter at the beginning of the cooking process. It adds an aromatic flavor and depth to the soup.
• Chicken Broth– The flavorful liquid base for the soup.
• Milk– Contributes to the soup’s creamy texture. It blends with the chicken broth and roux to create a rich and velvety consistency.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese– Adds a rich, cheesy flavor and enhances the creaminess.
• Fresh Broccoli Florets– The star vegetable in this soup. They are chopped into bite-sized pieces and added to the soup.
• Julienned Carrots– Add a hint of sweetness and color to the broccoli cheese soup.
• Hot Sauce– Adds a hint of spiciness and depth of flavor to the soup. The amount can be adjusted to suit your personal preference for spiciness.
• Salt and Black Pepper– Salt and pepper are added to season the soup, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.

How To Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Prepare the Ingredients. Gather and prepare all of your ingredients. Chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets, mince the garlic, and shred the cheddar cheese.

Saute the Garlic. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Make the Roux. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and garlic. Stir constantly to combine the flour with the butter, creating a roux. Continue cooking and stirring for 2-3 minutes until the roux turns a light golden color.

Add Broth and Milk. Gradually pour in the chicken broth and milk while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 5-7 minutes until it begins to thicken.

Add Broccoli and Carrots. Add the chopped broccoli florets and carrots to the pot. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until the broccoli becomes tender. Stir occasionally.

Add Cheddar Cheese. Reduce the heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt into the soup. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the soup becomes creamy and cheesy.

Season and Spice. Season the soup with hot sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste. Don’t be afraid of adding a small amount of hot sauce. It doesn’t add spice in small amounts, the acidity simply adds another layer of flavor.

Serve. Once the soup is well-seasoned and creamy, remove it from the heat. Ladle the hot broccoli cheddar soup into bowls and serve.

Variations

No matter how delicious you think this soup is, sometimes it can be fun to play with flavors to switch up a family favorite to enjoy it more frequently. Here are some variations to try to make it even more delicious:

• Add more protein. Consider stirring in precooked proteins like bacon, rotisserie chicken, or diced ham before serving.
• Customize the veggies. This Broccoli Cheese Soup is a veggie-packed bite. It is already full of broccoli and carrots, but you can also include other veggies that cook at a similar pace as the broccoli and julienned carrots. Cauliflower, small diced potatoes, peas, or spinach are some more veggies that would work well.
• Make it low carb. Want to make this dish low carb? Simply omit the flour and skip the step of making the roux. Omit the milk and add half of a cup of heavy cream. The consistency will be slightly thinner, but the flavor will still be incredible.

What To Serve With Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli cheddar soup is a delicious and hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with it:

• Crusty Bread– Slices of crusty bread, garlic bread, or a warm baguette are perfect for dipping into the creamy soup.
• Salad– A simple side salad with fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette can provide a nice contrast to the rich soup.
• Crackers– Crumble up some buttery crackers on the side for a satisfying crunch.
• Grilled Sandwiches– Besides classic grilled cheese sandwiches, you can prepare panini sandwiches with fillings like turkey, ham, or chicken.
• Baked Potatoes– Serve baked potatoes on the side with toppings.

How Long Does It Last?

If you have leftovers or just want to make this tasty soup ahead of time, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Can You Freeze It?

Not sure you can finish One Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup before it goes bad? Consider freezing it! When stored in a freezer-safe container, you can save this soup for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, place it in the refrigerator overnight to defrost it. Gently reheat the soup on the stovetop with additional chicken broth or milk to adjust the consistency to your liking.

More One Pot Recipes

• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
• Chili Dog Sliders
• Pizza Pasta
• Lasagna Soup
• Taco Macaroni and Cheese

If you love this Broccoli Cheddar Soup, make sure you share it on social media so your friends can try it out too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it for your family again soon.