Broccoli Cheese Soup (2024)

Warm yourself with a bowl of this comforting broccoli cheese soup. So creamy and flavorful, and easy as can be to make!

Broccoli Cheese Soup (1)

Hey there! It’s a cold February day, and when it’s like this, nothing beats a nice big pot of soup warming on the stove. Am I right?

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing some of my favorite one-pot meals and comfort food classics. We’ve talked about chili, and chicken pot pie, and now today I’m bringing you this easy broccoli cheese soup. It’s creamy and cheesy and hearty, and my whole family goes gaga for it. My older son especially asks for it often, so it’s on heavy rotation at my house, particularly when the weather is cold and blustery!

Broccoli Cheese Soup (2)

HOW TO MAKE BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

To make this yummy soup, start by sauteing onion and shredded carrot in a little oil. When you see the veggies are starting to become a little softer, sprinkle them all over with flour. The flour will combine with the oil and create a roux, which will thicken the soup.

Stir everything around for a minute or two, cooking out the rawness of the flour, then slowly drizzle in the chicken stock, while continuing to stir.

Bring the mixture up to a simmer, then turn the heat down to low and add the cream.

The soup should be hot and steaming, but not boiling. If it gets too hot it could curdle the dairy; there’s more on that below.

Add the cheese, a handful at a time, stirring after each addition. Make sure each handful of cheese is completely melted and incorporated before you add the next bit.

Once all the cheese has gone in, you can add the broccoli. Make sure your broccoli is not cold, otherwise it will bring the temperature of the soup way down and the cheese will become gloopy.

If you like a thicker soup, use a hand blender to puree some of the veg. This will add more body to the soup, but I like to just blend it a little bit, leaving plenty of big chunks of broccoli too!

Now just keep the pot on a very low flame until the broccoli has softened to the texture you like. For me this takes about 20 minutes, but if you like it softer, it may need a bit more time.

Broccoli Cheese Soup (3)

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

To me, a meal like this calls for carbs. I love a good hearty bread with a bowl of soup!

Some of my best suggestions would be these crusty French baguettes, these homemade crescent rolls, or these buttermilk biscuits.

HOW TO MAKE VEGETARIAN OR GLUTEN-FREE BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

If you’d like to make a vegetarian version of this soup, just swap the same amount of vegetable stock for the chicken stock.

For a gluten-free broccoli cheddar soup, use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in place of the flour.

TROUBLESHOOTING: WHY IS MY BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP GRAINY OR CURDLED?

This can happen if the temperature gets too high. Basically the proteins in the cheese tighten up and squeeze out the fat. You end up with a grainy, curdled consistency.

Unfortunately there is no way to fix it once it’s happened, so just be really careful to keep this soup on a very low flame once the dairy has gone in. If the soup remains hot and steamy, without boiling, it will stay beautifully silky and creamy.

Broccoli Cheese Soup (4)

HOW LONG IS BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP GOOD FOR?

If you have any leftovers, just seal them in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. The soup should last for at least a week, maybe even longer. If it starts to look or smell off, then you should toss it.

You can also freeze it! To thaw, place the container in the fridge a day or so before you plan to eat it.

HOW TO REHEAT LEFTOVER BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

The name of the game here is “low and slow.” To avoid that grainy texture, you have to be really careful not to let this soup get too hot too fast.

It can be reheated in a pot on the stove, or in a bowl in the microwave.

If you choose to reheat it on the stovetop, just keep that flame really low and stir it often.

If you prefer to use the microwave, hit it with short bursts (around 20 seconds), and stir after each, until it reaches the temperature you like.

Broccoli Cheese Soup (5)

If you’re searching for an easy weeknight meal that’ll warm everyone down to their toes, look no further than this broccoli cheese soup recipe! It’s so good with a hunk of hearty bread, and it’s always a big hit, especially on a cold winter night!

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Broccoli Cheese Soup (6)

5 stars (1 rating)

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Warm yourself with a bowl of this comforting broccoli cheese soup. So creamy and flavorful, and easy as can be to make!

Print Recipe Leave a ReviewSave Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat.

  • Saute the onion and carrots until slightly softened.

  • Sprinkle the flour over the onions and carrots and stir to coat.

  • Stir in the chicken stock, slowly.

  • Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, then stir in the cream.

  • Turn the heat down to low and add the cheese, a handful at a time, stirring. (Allow each addition to melt completely before adding the next.)

  • Stir in the broccoli, season to taste, and allow the soup to continue cooking* until all the vegetables are tender.

  • Optional: use a stick blender to puree some of the vegetables, while still maintaining a few bigger chunks.

Notes

*Do not boil the soup or it could curdle and split.

Pair this soup with any of these treats, to end the meal on a sweeter note:

  • Easy Apple Crisp
  • Peanut Butter Tandy Cake
  • Chocolate Pudding

Calories: 508kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 118mg, Sodium: 618mg, Potassium: 560mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 4295IU, Vitamin C: 70.3mg, Calcium: 483mg, Iron: 1.5mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack, Soup

Tried this recipe?Mention @bakingamoment on Instagram or tag #bakingamoment.

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup (7)

    Allie

    Allie is the creator and owner of Baking a Moment. She has been developing, photographing, videographing, and writing and sharing recipes here since 2012.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cheese to melt in soup? ›

Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

What is broccoli cheese soup made of? ›

Broccoli cheese soup, in case you needed reminding, is going to bring several good things into your life: a delicate start of butter and garlic and onions, a silky-smooth soup base, little bite-sized bits of just-right broccoli, thinly sliced carrots, and a sharp, creamy finish from that cheddar cheese.

How do you thicken broccoli cheese soup? ›

HOW CAN YOU MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP THICKER?
  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.
Feb 6, 2019

Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›

Is broccoli soup good for you? Most of the time, broccoli cheese soup isn't the healthiest option since it has lots of cheese and heavy cream. This version is lightened up with evaporated skim milk and less cheese. It also uses extra vegetables that are blended to create some of the creaminess in the soup.

Why won't my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Grate the cheese yourself.

Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a lusciously creamy soup. To ensure that your broccoli cheddar soup has the best smooth and creamy texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste gritty? ›

TROUBLESHOOTING: WHY IS MY BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP GRAINY OR CURDLED? This can happen if the temperature gets too high. Basically the proteins in the cheese tighten up and squeeze out the fat. You end up with a grainy, curdled consistency.

Why does my broccoli soup taste bland? ›

If your Broccoli Soup tastes bland, there are several potential reasons. Here are some common culprits and suggestions to enhance the flavour: Insufficient seasoning. Solution: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper accordingly.

Why is my broccoli cheese soup clumpy? ›

When it's time to add the cheese into the soup, sprinkle it in in batches, stirring until each batch is melted before adding the next batch vs dumping it all in at once. This will ensure there are no clumps in the final soup.

Why did my broccoli cheese soup separate? ›

If it is too hot when you stir everything in, the cheese may curdle and clump! Storage: This delicious broccoli cheddar soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the leftover soup in the microwave or in a pot on the stove top (on low heat so it doesn't become grainy).

Why did my cream of broccoli soup curdle? ›

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Tips

Curdling in a cream soup usually occurs when the milk or cream is added at too high of a heat. As you incorporate the milk and broth into the cooked onion and flour mixture, keep the heat at medium and stir continuously with a whisk.

Why isn't my broccoli soup thick? ›

The common solution is to use a flour-based roux. Flour can thicken up the water phase of the soup, which in turn makes it difficult for fat globules to coalesce.

What does broccoli soup do to your body? ›

Rich Source of Good Carbs

Salads and soups with broccoli are a delight to many diners. Broccoli is one of the richest sources of good carbohydrates which aid digestion maintaining low blood sugar. And because it has the right amount of fibrous roughage it also helps in preventing constipation.

What to eat broccoli cheddar soup with? ›

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup is a comforting and delicious meal, but it can always be improved with the right sides. Salads, grains, crackers and breads, proteins, and desserts all work great with this soup, and the combinations are endless.

Is broccoli cheese soup gassy? ›

Broccoli contains carbohydrates, such as dietary fibers, that can cause gas. This is because bacteria in the colon break down carbohydrates and produce gas as part of the digestive process.

What cheese melts smoothly? ›

If you follow the tips below, you can count on a smooth sauce when you use Asiago, Cheddar, colby, fontina, Gouda, Gruyère, Havarti, Monterey Jack, or Muenster. Blue cheeses and soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert also melt well if you remove the rind.

How do you melt cheese in soup without curdling it? ›

To prevent cheese from curdling, it's important to add it to the soup slowly and at a lower temperature. Gradually incorporate small amounts of cheese into the hot soup while stirring continuously. Also, avoid boiling the soup after adding the cheese.

What is the best melting cheese for noodles? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

What is a substitute for quickmelt cheese? ›

There are other cheese you can try as a substitute for quickmelt cheese. There is also Fontina, Asiago, Swiss cheese, and even the super soft and creamy cheese Camembert and Brie. While melty, stretchy cheese are not similar to quickmelt, you can also try the ever-popular mozzarella and Provolone.

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