Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a comforting, creamy dish perfect for cozy days. Packed with fresh broccoli and sharp cheddar, it’s an easy slow-cooker recipe that fills your home with inviting aromas while you go about your day.

Ingredients

• 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 cups milk (or substitute ½ cup with heavy cream for extra creaminess)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the broccoli into small florets, or roughly chop pre-cut florets. Place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Shred the carrot and spread it evenly over the broccoli. Add the diced onion, cream cheese, and minced garlic on top.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and chicken broth until smooth. Pour this mixture over the vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine, then cover and cook on High for 2–3 hours or on Low for 6–7 hours.
4. Step 4: Set the slow cooker to Low. Stir in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for another 30 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is creamy.

Tips & Variations

• Allow the milk to come to room temperature before adding it to avoid curdling.
• For an even creamier soup, puree part of it with an immersion blender before adding the milk and cheese. Alternatively, blend a few cups in a regular blender and stir back into the pot.
• Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for a smoother melt and better flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• If you want a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much when reheated, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli for this soup?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well. Just add it directly to the slow cooker without thawing, and you may want to reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid overcooking.

Is it possible to make this soup vegan?

You can make a vegan version by using vegetable broth, plant-based cream cheese, dairy-free milk, and vegan cheddar-style cheese alternatives.

Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

This Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a rich, creamy, and comforting slow cooker recipe featuring fresh broccoli, carrots, onion, and sharp cheddar cheese. The easy-to-follow steps allow the flavors to meld beautifully over several hours for a perfect, hearty soup. With simple ingredients like chicken broth, spices, and cream cheese, this soup is ideal for a cozy meal with minimal hands-on time.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Dairy

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk (whole or preferred variety, room temperature)
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, can replace ½ cup milk for extra creaminess)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Thickening Agent & Spices

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Chop the broccoli: Remove stems and chop broccoli heads into small florets. If using pre-cut florets, break any large pieces down to bite-size. Place chopped broccoli in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Shred the carrots and prepare aromatics: Grate the carrots and spread them over the broccoli along with chopped onion, minced garlic, and softened cream cheese to add creaminess and depth.
3. Combine broth with spices and thicken: Whisk cornstarch into chicken broth thoroughly to prevent lumps, then add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour this mixture over the vegetables in the crockpot. Stir lightly to combine.
4. Cook on high or low: Cover and cook on High for 2 to 3 hours or on Low for 6 to 7 hours, until the broccoli and carrots are tender and flavors meld.
5. Add milk and cheddar cheese: Lower crockpot setting to Low. Stir in room temperature milk and freshly shredded cheddar cheese carefully. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and the soup is creamy.

Notes

• Let the milk come to room temperature before adding to avoid curdling in the slow cooker.
• For an even creamier texture, puree a portion of the soup with an immersion blender before adding milk and cheese.
• If no immersion blender is available, transfer a few cups of soup to a blender or food processor to puree, then mix back into the pot.
• Shred your own cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and richer flavor.
• Heavy cream can be substituted for half of the milk to increase creaminess.

Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker broccoli soup, creamy broccoli cheese soup, easy comfort food soup