Introduction
Crock Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a comforting and delicious dish that captures the essence of creamy goodness and nutritious vegetables. This recipe is perfect for chilly evenings or a hearty lunch, providing a delightful blend of flavors while being incredibly easy to prepare. With the help of your slow cooker, you can come home to a warm bowl of homemade soup that is both satisfying and wholesome.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
Broccoli florets – 4 cups
Cheddar cheese, shredded – 2 cups
Cream cheese – 8 ounces
Vegetable broth – 4 cups
Onion, diced – 1 medium
Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
Carrots, diced – 1 cup
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – to taste
Ground mustard – 1 teaspoon
Thickener (optional) – cornstarch or flour as needed
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time – 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high
Total Time – 4 hours 15 minutes on low or 2 hours 15 minutes on high
Yield – 6 servings
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and dice the onions. Ensure the carrots are also diced into small pieces for even cooking.
Step 2: Place Ingredients in Crock Pot
Add the chopped broccoli, diced onions, diced carrots, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the crock pot.
Step 3: Add the Broth
Pour the vegetable or chicken broth over the vegetables in the crock pot. Make sure all the vegetables are covered by the broth.
Step 4: Cook on Low
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours. This allows the vegetables to become tender and develop flavors.
Step 5: Blend the Soup
After 4 hours of cooking, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend less.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Cream
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream into the blended soup. Allow the cheese to melt thoroughly, stirring occasionally.
Step 7: Final Seasoning
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or additional cheese if desired.
Step 8: Serve
Ladle the broccoli cheddar soup into bowls and serve warm. Garnish with extra cheese or croutons if desired.
Notes
Note 1: Cheese Choices
While sharp cheddar is recommended, you can experiment with a blend of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
Note 2: Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Note 3: Freezing
This soup can be frozen; however, the texture may change upon reheating. For best results, freeze before adding the cheese and cream.
Note 4: Vegetarian Option
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain flavor.
