Craving something warm, creamy, and cheesy? This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is your perfect cozy bowl of comfort. Loaded with tender broccoli, rich cheddar, and a buttery base, it’s as satisfying as your favorite café version but made easily at home. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for chilly nights or quick weekday dinners when you want something hearty and delicious.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This soup is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s creamy, cheesy, and rich without being heavy. The sharp cheddar gives it bold flavor while the fresh broccoli adds a touch of earthy sweetness. The hint of mustard and garlic balances everything beautifully. You’ll love how simple it is to make too since it uses everyday ingredients and just one pot. Plus, it costs far less than ordering takeout and tastes fresher every time. Families love it, picky eaters devour it, and you’ll enjoy the leftovers for lunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Key Ingredients
Broccoli: The heart of this soup. Use fresh florets cut into small pieces so they cook quickly and blend easily.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds depth and a savory tang. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.
Butter: Gives richness and helps create a velvety base when mixed with flour.
Milk and Cream: These make the soup luxuriously creamy. Whole milk and heavy cream work best for flavor and texture.
Onion and Carrot: Add sweetness and body to balance the cheesy taste.
Substitutions and Variations
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version. If you want a lighter soup, swap milk and cream for half and half. To save time, use frozen broccoli but cook a few extra minutes. Always choose freshly grated cheddar since it melts beautifully and keeps the texture smooth. If you love spice, a pinch of cayenne or paprika adds a gentle kick.
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Sauté and Build the Base
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Then sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly. This step forms the roux, the creamy foundation of your soup.
Add Liquids and Vegetables
Slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time. This helps the base thicken without lumps. Add broth, cream, broccoli, carrots, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, and mustard. Stir and bring it all to a gentle boil.
Simmer and Blend
Once boiling, reduce to a simmer. Cook until the broccoli softens and the soup thickens slightly. You can blend all of it for a smooth, restaurant-style finish or pulse just part of it for a chunkier texture.
Add Cheese and Finish
Turn heat to low. Stir in grated cheddar a handful at a time until melted and smooth. Avoid boiling after adding the cheese to prevent curdling. Taste, season again if needed, and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Grate your own cheddar since pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that affect smooth melting. Add milk gradually when making the roux to avoid lumps. If your soup gets too thick, stir in a splash of warm broth or milk. If it’s too thin, simmer a bit longer uncovered. Blend only part of the soup if you like more texture. And always season gradually because you can add more salt but not take it away.
Serving Suggestions
This Broccoli Cheddar Soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread, buttery dinner rolls, or even garlic toast. You can also serve it inside a bread bowl for an extra treat. Garnish with more shredded cheddar, cracked pepper, or a few steamed broccoli florets for a restaurant-worthy look. It’s cozy, satisfying, and perfect for sharing.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat while stirring, or use the microwave in short bursts, adding a splash of milk if needed. Freezing isn’t recommended since dairy can separate, but this soup tastes even better the next day when flavors deepen.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Creamy chicken and vegetable soup for weeknight dinners
- Rich and hearty cheddar cheese potato soup
- Cozy sausage potato soup with a creamy texture
- velvety beet soup bursting with earthy flavor
- the best white bean soup recipe for comforting meals
- classic minestrone soup with vegetables and beans
Conclusion or Final Thoughts
Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the ultimate comfort food that’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and special enough for a cozy weekend meal. You’ll love how easy it is to make and how each spoonful feels like a warm hug. Try it once and it’ll become part of your regular soup rotation. For more comforting recipes, visit my Pinterest page at Ellie’s Microwave Recipes.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Equipment
- Large pot To cook the soup base and vegetables
- Whisk For blending the roux smoothly
- Immersion blender Optional, for creamy texture
- Wooden spoon To stir ingredients evenly
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
- ⅓ cup grated carrot or matchstick carrots
- 1 tsp salt, more to taste
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp black pepper, more to taste
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground mustard
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk continuously until smooth and lightly golden, forming a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Add broth, cream, broccoli, carrots, and all seasonings. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the soup thickens and broccoli is tender, about 10–12 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer part of the soup to a blender. Blend until creamy or to your preferred texture.
- Reduce heat to low. Add grated cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot, topped with extra cheddar or broccoli florets. Enjoy with crusty bread or in a bread bowl.
