Creamy Vegetable Soup is bursting with flavor in every bite, with a rich, creamy base and plenty of veggies!

The best Creamy Vegetable Soup in a bowl, ready to enjoy.

Creamy Vegetable Soup

This Creamy Vegetable Soup is the ultimate comfort food! I love making it on chilly days or when I need to use up leftover veggies. While I love broth-based soups (like Vegetable Soup or Chicken-Vegetable Soup), my boys always go for creamy, cheesy ones—and this is one of their favorites.

I usually pair it with a salad, and if I have time, I’ll whip up some Dinner Rolls. Or I’ll serve this soup is in a crusty bread bowl—it doesn’t get much better than that!

All the ingredients for this recipe are prepped for easy assembly: veggies, flour, broth, milk, cream, seasonings, cheese, and butter.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Creamy Vegetable Soup:

  • Butter: Adds richness and helps make the soup creamy.
  • Olive oil: Prevents butter from burning and adds flavor.
  • Carrots, celery, onion: Chop small for even cooking and a flavorful base.
  • Garlic: Fresh or jarred works—use what you have.
  • Baby potatoes: Cut small for quick, even cooking.
  • Italian seasoning: Brings delicious flavor.
  • Chicken or vegetable stock: Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian option.
  • Frozen broccoli: Thaw slightly and chop small to blend into the soup.
  • Frozen corn: Add straight from the freezer.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the soup.
  • Milk: Whole milk makes it creamy; skip milk alternatives.
  • Heavy cream: Adds a smooth, rich texture.
  • Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated melts better; sharp adds the most flavor.
The vegetables sauté, followed by broth and potatoes added to simmer for this creamy vegetable soup.

How To Make Creamy Vegetable Soup

  1. Sauté veggies: Heat butter and oil in a large pot, cook carrots, celery, onion, then add garlic for 30 seconds.
  2. Cook potatoes: Add potatoes, seasoning, and stock. Boil, then simmer covered until potatoes are tender.
  3. Add broccoli and corn: Stir in broccoli and corn; cook to heat through.
  4. Make roux: Melt butter, whisk in flour for 1 minute, then slowly add milk. Stir until thick, mix in cream, and remove from heat.
  5. Combine soup: Add the roux to the pot, season, stir in cheese, and cook until melted.
  6. Serve: Dish up with bread or a bread bowl, and enjoy!
Broccoli and corn are added to the pot with cream and cheese.

Shortcuts

This Creamy Vegetable Soup needs some chopping, but here are a few quick ways to save time:

  • Mirepoix: Grab pre-chopped mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery) from the produce section or use frozen mirepoix.
  • Garlic: Use jarred garlic or a garlic press for quick and easy minced garlic.

What To Serve With Creamy Vegetable Soup

A pot of creamy vegetable soup with a ladle, ready to enjoy.

Storage

  • Leftovers: Cool soup completely before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, leaving space in the container for expansion.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen soup in the fridge overnight, then warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth to thin as needed.

More Delicious Soup Recipes

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5 from 110 votes

Creamy Vegetable Soup

Creamy Vegetable Soup combines the best of flavor and ease, featuring a rich, veggie-filled base that’s perfect for any night.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 53 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Video

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups mirepoix or use 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced celery, and 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1-1/2 pounds baby potatoes gold or red, diced (4 cups)
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups chicken stock or broth, see note 1
  • 2 cups frozen broccoli florets thawed and finely chopped
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Hearty buttered bread optional, for serving
  • Fresh herbs optional, for serving (parsley or thyme)

Instructions 

  • In a large pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add diced carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté for 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Stir in chopped potatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the veggies are crisp-tender. Stir in thawed broccoli and frozen corn. Cook for 2–3 more minutes, until tender and heated through.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and gently boiling. Stir in the heavy cream and remove from heat.
  • Pour the milk mixture into the soup and stir well. Lower the heat, add Cheddar cheese a handful at a time, and stir until melted. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  • Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme, alongside toasted and buttered pieces of bread. Enjoy!
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Or use vegetable broth if you’d like this soup to be vegetarian.
Storage: Cool soup completely before storing. Refrigerate: Keep up to 4 days. Freeze: Store up to 3 months with space for expansion. Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm on low, stirring occasionally. Thin with a splash of broth as needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 786mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1397IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 464mg | Iron: 2mg

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

Meet Chelsea


Chelsea Lords is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, recipe developer, food photographer, and founder of Chelsea’s Messy Apron. With 13+ years of recipe development experience and 7 years in a professional restaurant kitchen, she creates thoroughly tested recipes that make home cooking easier.

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5 from 110 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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329 Comments

  1. Athena says:

    5 stars
    This was really good. I didn’t have broccoli so I used cabbage. It was really flavorful.

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yay! I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks Athena!

  2. Ronni says:

    5 stars
    This soup is SOOOO delicious!!! I’ll definitely be making it again!!! Thank you for sharing your recipe!!!!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I’m so happy you loved it!! Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and taking the time to leave a review!

  3. Syd says:

    5 stars
    I made this 100% vegan with soy milk to substitute for whole milk and non dairy cheese shreds and it was DELICIOUS! Thanks for the recipe

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Wow amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!

  4. Cher P says:

    5 stars
    I made this soup for my family and it was perfect! Kids and adults loved it! Will definitely make again and wouldn’t change a thing!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yay! I’m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Cher!

  5. Catherine says:

    Can you use 2% milk in place of whole milk?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      It will just be slightly less rich/creamy!

  6. Christina says:

    Not a big fan of potatoes, could I substitute cheese tortellini?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I think cheese tortellini would be delicious here! I haven’t personally tested it, but I’d recommend skipping the potatoes and adding the tortellini near the end, cooking just until tender according to the package directions. You may need a little extra broth since the tortellini will absorb some liquid. Let me know if you give it a try!

  7. lisa honch says:

    Can you make with almond milk?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I wouldn’t recommend almond milk for this soup. Whole milk gives it a much creamier, richer texture, and almond milk won’t thicken quite the same way. I think you’ll get the best results sticking with whole milk!

  8. Daisy says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! Added meat from 4 roasted chicken thighs. Made drop biscuits and crumbled on top of my bowl of soup and it reminded me of chicken pot pie in soup form 🙌🏻 Should have doubled the recipe for more leftovers 😂

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yay! I’m so happy this was such a hit! Haha, I usually have to double it too! Love the idea of crumbling drop biscuit on top!

  9. Lori says:

    Winter is coming i would like to have more of your soup recipes please

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Hey Lori! I just wrote a round up of my favorite fall soups here! You should check it out!

  10. Pn says:

    Hi! Do you think it would still be ok without the celery? Ty!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yes for sure! You can add more of one of the other veggies!