This Broccoli Soup is a comforting and delicious soup that is both creamy and cheesy! This soup is packed with flavor and nutrients, and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. The cream and cheese adds a richness to the soup, while the broccoli, carrots, and potatoes provide a nice boost of vitamins and minerals. This soup is easy to make and can be on the table in no time. Perfect for a chilly evening or a quick lunch, this soup is sure to satisfy!

Or try our version of the popular Broccoli Cheddar Soup, a delicious copycat recipe of the famous Panera® soup.

Overhead image of Broccoli Soup

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Try out this creamy Broccoli Soup recipe, which is part of our collection of favorite soup recipes. Click here to see all the recipes in the collection.

Our Favorite Creamy Broccoli Soup

This Broccoli Soup is the ultimate comfort food! Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. With minimal preparation time and the help of a blender, you can have this comforting soup on the table in no time. Simply coarsely chop the veggies — there’s no need for precision since the blender will do the work! The blender delivers an ultra-smooth and creamy soup with no extra effort on your end!

This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover broccoli lurking in your fridge. And if all you’ve got is frozen broccoli, that’ll work too. This soup is the perfect way to sneak extra veggies into your diet while indulging in a satisfying and soul-warming meal.

Serve it with some crusty, warm, and buttery Bread for dipping or Homemade Croutons for a crispy topping, and dig in! You won’t regret it!

Process shots-- images of the veggies, seasonings, and chicken broth all being cooked together

Broccoli Soup Tips

  1. For an ultra-smooth and creamy Broccoli Soup, make sure the vegetables are fully cooked. Check the tenderness by piercing them with a fork; if the fork goes in easily, they are ready to be blended.
  2. Use a good quality, sharp Cheddar cheese for added flavor and richness. Grate the cheese fresh from the block for the best melt and flavor, rather than using pre-shredded cheese. See “quick tip” box below.
  3. To enhance the flavors of the soup, season it with salt and pepper to taste. Be sure to taste the soup before serving, and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  4. For the best results, use a high-speed blender to puree the soup. This will ensure that it is smooth and creamy.

Quick Tip

Why sharp Cheddar? This indicates a more aged cheese that will deliver a richer and more pungent flavor. If you’ve ever noticed your soup to be lacking flavor, it’s probably because the cheese wasn’t aged (or the soup needed more salt to bring the cheesiness alive!). 

Process shots of broccoli soup-- images of all the veggies being cooked until tender and then added into the blender and being blended together

Blending Hot Soup

You have the option to use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree your Broccoli Soup. If you decide to use a regular blender, please keep in mind the following tips to avoid any accidents or injuries:

  • Use a blender that is specifically designed to blend hot liquids. This will ensure that the blender can handle the heat and will not crack or break. If you use a regular blender, take care that the steam doesn’t pop off the top while blending.
  • Let the soup cool slightly before blending. This will reduce the chance of the blender lid blowing off or the soup splattering everywhere.
  • Work in batches. Divide the soup into smaller batches and blend them separately. In this recipe, we blend the soup in two separate batches.
  • If your blender doesn’t have a ventilated lid, you can remove the center pzart of the lid, cover the hole with a kitchen towel and blend.
  • Be cautious when removing the lid from the blender and when pouring the blended Broccoli Soup back into the pot. Steam is released and can burn you!

Process shots-- images of the cheese being mixed through the soup

Variations

Switch Up Your Broccoli Soup

  • Add some bacon, croutons or an extra drizzle of cream to top the soup before serving. This gives the soup a nice crunch and textural contrast.
  • Consider adding some spice like cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or paprika for a little kick.
  • Switch up the cheese: You can add some different types of cheese like Gruyere or Gouda to the soup for added flavor.
  • Finish with fresh herbs: You can add some herbs like thyme, parsley or chives to the soup for the perfect finishing touch.

Image of Broccoli Soup ready to be enjoyed

Storage

Storing Creamy Broccoli Soup

  • Allow the soup to fully cool before storing in an airtight container. Divide it into smaller portions for easy reheating. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water/broth if the soup is too thick after storage.
  • Freezing: It is possible to freeze dairy-filled soups, but it is important to be aware that they can curdle or separate as they thaw. To minimize these effects and maintain the texture and flavor of the soup, it is best to cool the soup completely before freezing, reheat it slowly over low heat, and use within three months. When reheating the thawed soup, do it on low heat. If it appears too thick, add some milk or cream to thin it out. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor of the soup may change after freezing and reheating, so it’s best to consume it as soon as possible after thawing.

Overhead image of the dish being enjoyed

What To Serve With Broccoli Soup

There are many options to serve with a creamy soup like this one. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Crusty bread: A warm and crusty Bread is a classic pairing with soup. You can serve it with a side of butter or olive oil to dip the bread in and then dunk it in the soup–delish! Dinner rolls are another great option.
  2. Grilled cheese sandwich: A Grilled Cheese sandwich is a delicious and comforting option to pair with Broccoli Soup.
  3. Salad: A light Garden Salad lends a nice contrast to the creamy soup, adding freshness and crunch.
  4. Garlic bread: Garlic bread is a great option to add some extra flavor to Broccoli Soup.
  5. Biscuits: A fluffy homemade Biscuit is another great choice to dip in your creamy Broccoli Soup.

More Creamy Soup Recipes:

5 from 4 votes

Broccoli Soup

This Broccoli Soup is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy delight that's full of flavor and nutrients. Packed with broccoli, carrots, and potatoes, itโ€™s quick to prepare and perfect for a chilly evening or a satisfying lunch!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Large pot with lid

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced carrot
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 8 cups coarsely chopped broccoli see note 2
  • 2-1/2 cups chopped gold potatoes see note 1
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese see note 3
  • 1 cup half and half or heavy cream, see note 4
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
  • Hearty buttered bread optional
  • Toppings as desired see note 5

Instructions 

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat, add oil and sautรฉ onion and carrot for 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic and sautรฉ for an additional 30 seconds.
  • Add broccoli, potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  • Use an immersion blender to puree the soup or blend in two batches (see note 6).
  • Carefully remove the lid of the blender and pour the soup back into the pot. Stir in half and half. Add cheese a handful at a time, stirring between each addition to melt. Add ground mustard powder. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle with some half and half or add extra cheese on top. For an additional flavor, use bacon as a garnish. Serve with crusty, warm, buttered bread and enjoy!

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: We recommend using golden potatoes in this soup. These potatoes have a delicate skin that does not need to be removed, simply wash them and coarsely chop into 1-inch pieces before measuring for this recipe. If using russets instead, peel first.
Note 2: This recipe uses about two large heads of broccoli. Coarsely chop and pack in measuring cups for accurate measurement. It's fine to use some of the stems too!
Note 3: Use a good quality, sharp Cheddar cheese to get a rich flavor. Shred the cheese fresh from the block for the best melt and flavor, rather than using pre-shredded cheese. After shredding, gently pack in measuring cups for accurate measurement.ย 
Note 4: You can make your own half and half by mixing 1/2 cup cream and 1/2 cup whole milk.
Note 5: I love to top this soup with extra cheese, half and half, and bacon.
Note 6: If you decide to use a regular blender, please keep in mind the following tips to avoid any accidents or injuries:
  • Use a blender that is specifically designed to blend hot liquids. This will ensure that the blender can handle the heat and will not crack or break.
  • Let the soup cool slightly before blending. This will reduce the chance of the blender lid blowing off or the soup splattering everywhere.
  • Work in batches. Divide the soup into smaller batches and blend them separately. In this recipe, we blend the soup in two separate batches.
  • If your blender doesn't have a ventilated lid, you can remove the central piece of the lid, cover the hole with a kitchen towel and blend.
  • Be cautious when removing the lid from the blender and when pouring the blended broccoli soup back into the pot. Steam is released and can burn you!
Storage: Allow the soup to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3โ€“4 days. For freezing, cool the soup first, then freeze in portions for up to three months. Reheat gently on low heat, adding a splash of water or milk if itโ€™s too thick. Note that the texture and flavor may change after freezing, so enjoy it soon after thawing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 844mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 10772IU | Vitamin C: 98mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. Victoria says:

    5 stars
    Made this soup last night. Excellent ! What a wonderful way to use broccoli and potatoes and cheese in a soup ! Thank you Chelsea !!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Thanks so much Victoria! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Angela says:

    5 stars
    Our kids LOVED the flavor and texture of this yummy and cheesy broccoli soup!! They each went back for THIRD helpings, which is quite unusual most dinner nights. And the best part was that this soup was full of veggies and our kids still loved it thanks to the smooth, creamy texture! This soup was definitely a winner for our family!

    1. Chelsea says:

      I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Angela! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Carol G says:

    5 stars
    I made this broccoli soup the other day as our weather was damp and chilly. OMG, the flavor and thickness was spot on. Since I had extra 1/2 and 1/2 I added that to the soup, wow! I used my immersion blender to cream the soup and was very pleased on the job it did. This is a keeper soup recipe!! Thanks

    1. Chelsea says:

      I am seriously so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Carol! ๐Ÿ™‚