Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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A creamy, warm and cozy broccoli cheese soup that’s perfect for a cold, rainy day. This soup will warm you up from the inside out. This broccoli cheese soup tastes even better than Panera Breads!

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)
So this settles it.

This veggie-loaded, creamy, warm, and cozy Broccoli Cheese Soup is the only soup i’m making for the rest of 2014! It’s simple, seriously yummy, and definitely perfect comfort food for fall.♥

I’m just going to apologize now for bringing you a soup every week. I’m slightly soup obsessed right now and just cannot get enough. I’m well aware there are people that don’t like soup as much as I do. But this, this broccoli cheese soup is a gem, I just couldn’t keep it from you guys.

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)

It’s been rainy here pretty much the last few weeks and we’re teeter-tottering in the 80s. I may have even brokena light sweat making broccoli and cheese soup, the other day. I turn the air conditioner on high and sit with a warm cozy blanket just so I can pretend that i’m enjoying boots and cardi weather that all of themidwest is enjoying right now. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)When I was in college broccoli and cheese soup was a weekly staple. They always served it at the little soup and sandwich shop and I would make a pit stop to pick up a bowl before heading over to the library to bury my head in a textbook. The comfort of broccoli cheese soup lessened the stress of studying subjects like organic chemistry ←(ew).

What I love most about this homemade broccoli cheese soup is that it takes just30 minutes to make from start to finish, it’s easy, and straight forward. And talk about being right on time for Meatless Monday. This is a great soup to make on the weekend for weekday meals or on a weeknight for dinner. Loads of broccoli and carrots will keep you full for hours. It’s perfect to serve with crusty French bread and a side salad.

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)This is a no-frills, easy-breezy, for-cheesy (hehe, couldn’t help it) kind of broccoli cheese soup recipe. It tastes just like Panera Breads Broccoli Cheese Soup – and I would go so far as to say it actually tastes better.

We start with lots of broccoli. We’re talking 3 1/2 cups worth of broccoli. I used fresh broccoli and would recommend that you do the same. Frozen broccoli (even if it’s been thawed) may release too much water into the soup, and nobody likes watery broccoli cheese soup. Bleh.

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)Since this soup is called broccoli cheese soup it’s only right that we add LOTS of cheese. I’ve used two types of cheese for my broccoli cheese soup recipe. It’s totally up to you whether you use mild or sharp cheddar for this soup. I went with the sharp cheddar cheese because I like that little kick you get from the cheese. If it’s not your thing, mild cheddar tastes delicious too.

The second kind of cheese is parmesan. Parmesan cheese is my secret ingredient in my broccoli cheese soup recipe. The parmesan flavor give this soupthat little special somethin’ somethin’ that keeps everyone guessing what it is that’s making this soup taste so gosh darn good. I won’t tell if you won’t.

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

If you’re one of those people that likes the ‘cream of broccoli cheese soup’, it’s really easy to do with this recipe. Just use an immersion blender or a regular blender (holding down the lid with a towel if you’re doing it while the soup is hot) to blend everything. Add the cheddar cheese in after you’ve blended it, it’ll melt down and just be perfect.

This is definitely my favorite broccoli cheese soup recipe and I hope you love it as much as I do. What I wish for you is that you make a big batch of it and enjoy it throughout the week. We’ve never had this soup last more than 2 days in the refrigerator. Yup, it’s that good!

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)Please note – as of March 7th, 2015 some of the picture in this post have been replaced.

Yield: serves 6-8

ˆCreamy Broccoli Cheese Soup

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

A creamy, warm and cozy broccoli cheese soup that's perfect for a cold, rainy day. This soup will warm you up from the inside out. This broccoli cheese soup tastes even better than Panera Breads!

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup white onion, diced (about 1/2 a large onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
  • 3/4 cup half and half
  • 3 1/2 cups chopped, fresh broccoli pieces
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for 7 minutes or until the onions start to turn translucent. Add the garlic and thyme and continue to cook for 1 minute.
  2. Add the flour and continue to cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Whisk in the broth, nutmeg, bay leaves, milk, and half and half. Cook stirring frequently until the mixture just begin to bubble, about 6-9 minutes.
  3. Add the broccoli pieces along with the grated carrots. Allow the broccoli to get slightly tender, about 6-8 minutes. Turn the heat off, remove pot from stove, add in the cheddar and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm with crusty French bread.

Have you made this recipe?

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If you like this recipe, you’ll also like:

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (9)Chicken Enchilada Soup (Slow Cooker)

Roasted Garlic Potato Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup {Slow Cooker}

Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker}

Italian Orzo Tomato Spinach Soup

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Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken cream of broccoli soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste gritty? ›

The temperature you cook Broccoli Cheese Soup at is key to making sure it doesn't end up grainy or curdled. Medium heat is best for dairy-based soups so it doesn't boil and curdle.

Why did my broccoli cheese soup curdle? ›

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. Once all is mixed in, then proceed to heat to a boil.

Why won t my broccoli cheddar soup thicken? ›

Add more cheese

One of the easiest ways to thicken up your broccoli cheddar soup is by adding more cheese. The cheese not only enhances the flavor but also contributes to a thicker texture. Consider adding extra sharp cheddar or even some Gruyere cheese for an extra depth of flavor.

Why is my cream of broccoli soup bland? ›

Why does my cream of broccoli soup taste bland? You have to build flavor during each step when making soup. Make sure you're taking the time needed to properly sauté the onions, fully cook the broccoli, and season to taste as you work.

How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

Why is my broccoli cheddar soup not creamy? ›

Cheddar broccoli soup should be simmered for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften. Finally, it's possible that you didn't use enough fat. Soup needs some fat to smooth out the texture and help the ingredients bind together. If your soup is too lean, it will taste grainy.

Why does broccoli cheddar soup make my stomach hurt? ›

Broccoli also can be the culprit behind a slew of stomach-related symptoms. Not only does the veggie — or more specifically, the intestinal bacteria that breaks the fibrous content down — cause gas, but that gas can actually be painful, too.

What kind of cheese melts best 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.

Why won t my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

When you add the cheese to the soup, make sure that the pot is over very low heat. If the heat is too high, the cheese won't incorporate into the soup, giving it a thin, gloopy texture. I also recommend adding a little at a time and stirring well between additions.

How do you fix grainy broccoli cheese soup? ›

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.

How do you thicken broccoli cheese soup? ›

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.

Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›

Broccoli Cheddar Soup is not only delicious but nutritious as well. Broccoli is loaded with vitamin C and K, potassium, and fiber, offering numerous health benefits like improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and boosted immunity.

Can you use pre shredded cheese in soup? ›

Avoid using pre-packaged shredded cheese as it often contains additives that can prevent proper melting. Add the cheese at the right time: Timing is crucial when it comes to melting cheese in soup. Wait until the soup is almost done cooking before adding the cheese.

Did my broccoli cheddar soup curdle? ›

Why is my broccoli cheese soup not creamy? If the roux is not made slowly and properly (as indicated in the recipe), it can leave you with a watery soup rather than a creamy one. Using a stovetop heat that's too high can also cause the soup to curdle, especially when you are adding any dairy products.

Why is my cream soup watery? ›

The solution to this problem is to either utilize more of the roux or slurry, or to utilize a roux or slurry that contains more starch. Another reason that cream soups can become watery is that the vegetables or other ingredients in the soup continue to emit moisture through the cooking process.

How do you fix watery broccoli cheddar soup? ›

One common way to thicken broccoli cheese soup is to add some flour to it. You can do this by mixing the flour with a little bit of water to form a paste, and then stirring it into the soup. Another way to thicken the soup is to puree some of the vegetables in it, which will make the soup thicker and creamier.

How do you thicken broccoli sauce? ›

Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

How do you thicken soup with cornstarch or flour? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

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