Creamy Comfort: Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup Recipe

Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a chilly day. It’s a creamy blend of potatoes, broccoli, and cheddar cheese, creating a satisfying and flavorful soup that’s easy to make and loved by all ages.

best broccoli potato cheese soup

Why You’ll Love This Soup

Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup is a favorite for many reasons:

Comforting Flavor: The combination of cheese, potatoes, and broccoli creates a rich and satisfying taste.
Easy to Make: This soup comes together quickly with minimal effort, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.
Versatile: You can easily customize the recipe to your liking, adding bacon, different cheeses, or vegetables.
Crowd-Pleasing: This soup is a hit with both kids and adults, making it a great option for family dinners.

Origin of Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup

The exact origin of Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup is unknown, but it’s a variation of classic cheese soups. It’s likely that the recipe evolved over time as cooks experimented with different ingredients, combining the flavors of broccoli, potatoes, and cheese to create a comforting and nutritious soup.

Ingredients

1-2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
¼ cup cornstarch (or 2 tablespoons flour)
1 cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into ½-inch cubes
16 ounces broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or medium cheddar)
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven
Skillet
Small bowl
Immersion blender or potato masher (optional)

How to Make Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup

Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced onion until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add carrots, salt, and pepper and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes. Then, add garlic and sauté, stirring, for 30 seconds.
Add Broth and Potatoes: Add the potatoes and chicken broth. Cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about ten minutes.
Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli and continue simmering until the broccoli and potatoes are tender—about 10 minutes. Potatoes should be fork-tender.
Thicken Soup: In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into milk until smooth. Then, stir into the hot soup to thicken. Alternatively, blend the mixture with an immersion blender to the consistency you desire, or mash with a potato masher.
Add Cheese: Add in the cheese and stir until melted.
Serve: Serve and enjoy!

Cooking Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Cook the broccoli until it’s tender-crisp to maintain its texture and flavor.
Prevent Cheese Clumping: Toss the shredded cheese with flour before adding it to the soup to prevent clumping.
Control Saltiness: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the soup.
Adjust Consistency: Add more milk or broth to adjust the soup’s thickness to your preference.
Sautéing: Sautéing the garlic last prevents it from burning.

Serving Tips

Garnish: Top with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped chives, or a dollop of sour cream.
Side Dish: Serve with crusty bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, or a side salad.
Spice: A twist of freshly ground black pepper adds flavor.

Health Benefits of Ingredients

Broccoli: Provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Potatoes: A good source of vitamin C and potassium.
Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body.
Cheese: Provides calcium and protein.

Interesting Facts

For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also use a vegan cheese alternative.
Adding cooked and crumbled bacon enhances the flavor of the soup.
Blending part of the soup creates a creamy texture without using heavy cream.