Go Back
–+ servings
Close-up of creamy broccoli cheddar soup served in a hollowed-out bread bowl, topped with cheese and bacon. A restaurant-style dinner idea.

Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This creamy broccoli cheddar soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings a restaurant-quality experience to your home. It's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or for impressing guests.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 422
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Soup
  • 1/4 cup butter cubed
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets about 8 ounces
  • 1 large carrot finely chopped
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups half-and-half cream
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water or additional chicken stock
  • 2-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Additions
  • 6 small round bread loaves about 8 ounces each, for bread bowls
  • Optional toppings Crumbled cooked bacon, additional shredded cheddar cheese, ground nutmeg and pepper

Equipment

  • 6-qt. stockpot

Method
 

  1. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until tender, about 6-8 minutes.
  2. Stir in broccoli, carrot, chicken stock, cream, bay leaves, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
  3. Simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
  4. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the soup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and cook until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
  5. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
  6. If using bread bowls, cut a slice off the top of each bread loaf. Hollow out the bottoms, leaving about 1/4-inch thick shells. Save the removed bread for another use.
  7. Fill the bread bowls with soup just before serving. Serve with desired toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 17gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 904mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

Notes

This soup is delicious on its own or served in hollowed-out bread bowls for a complete meal experience.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!