Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Printable)

Creamy soup with tender broccoli, carrots, and sharp cheddar cheese. Comforting and easy to make at home.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
02 - 1 cup carrots, julienned
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Base & Liquid

09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

→ Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika
14 - Pinch of ground nutmeg

# Directions:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in vegetable broth while stirring, ensuring no lumps develop.
05 - Add broccoli florets and carrots. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk and heavy cream, heating gently without allowing the mixture to boil.
07 - Add grated cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring continuously until fully melted and incorporated.
08 - Season the soup with salt, black pepper, paprika, and nutmeg to taste.
09 - For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some vegetable chunks if preferred.
10 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, yet tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • Sharp cheddar gives it a personality that mild cheese could never achieve—it's bold without being aggressive.
  • The creamy texture feels indulgent, but it's actually straightforward to make without any fancy techniques.
02 -
  • If your cheese doesn't melt smoothly, your soup is too hot—always melt cheese on low heat, slowly, or it turns grainy and separated.
  • Don't skip the roux step even though it adds time; it's what makes this soup creamy and cohesive instead of watery and sad.
03 -
  • Buy pre-shredded cheese if you need to save time, but freshly grated melts more smoothly and doesn't have the anti-caking agents that can make sauce grainy.
  • If you accidentally boil the cream and it breaks, don't panic—strain it through a fine mesh sieve and blend the smooth part back in with the rest of the soup.
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