Description
Hearty crockpot potato broccoli cheddar soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending creamy potatoes with sharp cheddar and tender broccoli. Warm spoons of this Wisconsin-inspired classic invite comfort and satisfaction with each rich, cheesy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 4 medium potatoes (about 2 pounds / 900 grams), peeled and diced
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for richness)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Garnishes (optional):
- Crumbled bacon
- Additional shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Arrange all ingredients in the crockpot, combining diced potatoes, fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, rich chicken broth, aromatic salt, cracked pepper, and optional smoked paprika. Gently mix the components to ensure even distribution.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or on high temperature for 3-4 hours, ensuring vegetables become fork-tender and flavors meld harmoniously.
- Transform the soup’s texture by using an immersion blender to partially puree the contents directly in the crockpot. Alternatively, carefully transfer approximately half the soup to a standard blender, pulse until velvety smooth, then reintegrate into the original mixture.
- Introduce luxurious creaminess by whisking heavy cream into the soup. Gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and creates a silky, uniform consistency. For enhanced thickness, incorporate flour into the cream before adding.
- Refine the soup’s flavor profile by tasting and adjusting seasonings with additional salt and pepper as needed. Enrich the final preparation by stirring in a pat of butter moments before serving.
- Elegantly ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls. Elevate the presentation with optional garnishes such as crispy crumbled bacon, extra cheddar cheese shreds, and freshly chopped green onions for a delightful finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize the soup’s consistency by adjusting the blending technique, using an immersion blender for a partially chunky texture or a standard blender for ultra-smooth results.
- Make the recipe vegetarian by swapping chicken broth with vegetable broth and ensuring all cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat milk instead of heavy cream and choosing reduced-fat cheddar cheese without compromising the rich flavor profile.
- Enhance meal prep by chopping vegetables the night before and storing them in the refrigerator to streamline morning cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg