Nothing beats a warm bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Soup on a chilly day! This rich, creamy, and cheesy soup is packed with tender broccoli, sharp cheddar, and a velvety smooth texture that makes every spoonful pure comfort.

The best part? It’s easy to make in just 30 minutes using simple ingredients. Serve it with crusty bread or a sandwich for the ultimate meal!

🔥 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Thick, creamy, and loaded with cheddar!
✔ A Panera-style soup you can make at home.
✔ Done in just 30 minutes – perfect for busy nights!
✔ Uses simple pantry ingredients!

🛒 Ingredients

For the Soup Base:

3 tbsp butter
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (adds depth)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)

For the Broccoli & Cheese:

3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
1 large carrot, shredded
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese (for extra creaminess)

For Garnish:

Extra cheddar cheese 🧀
Crusty bread or bread bowls 🥖

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

2️⃣ Make the Roux (Thickener):

Sprinkle in flour and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes.
Slowly whisk in broth, milk, and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Add Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.

3️⃣ Simmer the Broccoli & Carrots:

Stir in broccoli and shredded carrot.
Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until broccoli is tender.

4️⃣ Add the Cheese:

Remove the pot from heat and slowly stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
Stir until completely melted and smooth.

5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!

Ladle into bowls and top with extra cheese.
Serve hot with crusty bread or in a bread bowl.

🔥 Tips for the Best Broccoli Cheddar Soup

✔ Shred your own cheese – Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.
✔ Like it thicker? Add more cheese or let it simmer longer.
✔ Want a smoother soup? Blend half of the soup before adding cheese.
✔ Make it healthier! Swap half & half for milk or add extra veggies.

🍽️ What to Serve with It

🥖 Crusty bread – Perfect for dipping.
🥗 Side salad – A fresh contrast to the creamy soup.
🥪 Grilled cheese sandwich – The ultimate comfort food combo.

🥶 Storage & Reheating

📦 Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
❄️ Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months (without cheese; add cheese when reheating).
🔥 Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often.

❓ FAQ

1. Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes! Just add it straight to the pot and simmer until tender.

2. How do I make it gluten-free?

Swap the flour for cornstarch (mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with ¼ cup cold water and add to the soup).

3. Can I use a different cheese?

Sure! Gouda, white cheddar, or Monterey Jack work well.

4. How do I make it vegetarian?

Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

💬 Final Thoughts

This Broccoli Cheddar Soup is creamy, cheesy, and full of rich flavors—perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep. Whether you serve it in a bread bowl, with crackers, or on its own, this soup is always a hit!

🔥 Try it and let me know what you think! 🥦🧀🍲

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Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Cooking Time: 20 min 20 min Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

For the Soup Base:

3 tbsp butter

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup all-purpose flour

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 cups milk (whole or 2%)

1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)

1 tsp Dijon mustard (adds depth)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)

For the Broccoli & Cheese:

3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small

1 large carrot, shredded

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

½ cup Parmesan cheese (for extra creaminess)

For Garnish:

Extra cheddar cheese 🧀

Crusty bread or bread bowls 🥖

Instructions

1️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.

Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft.

Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

2️⃣ Make the Roux (Thickener):

Sprinkle in flour and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes.

Slowly whisk in broth, milk, and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

Add Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.

3️⃣ Simmer the Broccoli & Carrots:

Stir in broccoli and shredded carrot.

Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until broccoli is tender.

4️⃣ Add the Cheese:

Remove the pot from heat and slowly stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese.

Stir until completely melted and smooth.

5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!

Ladle into bowls and top with extra cheese.

Serve hot with crusty bread or in a bread bowl.

🥦🧀 Broccoli Cheddar Soup