Is there anything better than a warm bowl of soup during those colder months? We love soup recipes because they deliver a level of comfort from start to finish. The delicious aromas that fill your home while cooking, and the satisfaction of sitting down to a piping hot bowl of delicious broth – the list goes on! This easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe is one of our personal favorites and we’ve been known to serve it all winter long. We’ve also been known to finish as quickly as possible in the fall when temperatures start to drop. Whenever you decide to try it yourself, we’re sure you’ll love this homemade soup recipe!
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Absolutely! If you can’t find good-looking fresh broccoli at the supermarket, or you already have a bag of frozen florets on hand, use frozen. You want to make sure it’s completely thawed before adding it to the pan.
Heavy Cream Substitute:
You can always substitute heavy cream for half and half or milk if desired.
How to make Bisque:
We’ve found that this broccoli cheddar soup thickens nicely on its own, thanks to a roux made with butter and flour. Roux is the secret to making thick, creamy soups. If you find that your creation lacks the thickness you want, here are a few things you can do to fix it:
- Add more cheese.
- Make a second roux by mixing equal parts melted butter and flour, then add it to your cheese and broccoli soup.
- Stir together the water (or broth) and cornstarch until the latter dissolves, then add it to the mixture.
cheese options
While this recipe works for cheddar broccoli soup, you can definitely use a different type of cheese! If you want to mix it up, choose a cheese with the same sharpness as cheddar. Our top picks are:
- parmesan cheese
- velvet
- white cheddar cheese
- monterey jack
Each will add its own unique flavor. Feel free to mix and match until you find your favorite flavor combination!
Troubleshooting: Why isn’t the cheese in my Broccoli Cheddar Soup melting?
If you’re not careful, you might end up with curd cheese and broccoli soup, and, well, no one wants that! First, it’s important to be patient while waiting for your dish. If it doesn’t melt right away, give it a few minutes to warm up with the rest of the broth.
If that doesn’t work, there are a few options:
- Bring to a simmer over low heat and whisk with a whisk. This helps break up any remaining clumps in the cheddar broccoli soup.
- Add a little water to the broth for added moisture. This will help it melt nicely.
- Add more cream.
- Carefully adding a few drops of lemon juice will help break up the cheese and promote melting.
Service suggestion:
This cheese and broccoli soup is delicious and filling on its own, but if you’re looking for ways to spice up your meal, you can serve it with: