Broccoli Cheese Soup is a creamy, cheesy soup made with tender broccoli, chicken broth, a simple butter and flour sauce, milk, and plenty of cheddar cheese. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for chilly nights, quick lunches, or an easy family dinner.
We love this recipe because it comes together with simple ingredients and has that rich, cheesy flavor everyone asks for. Add bacon pieces and extra cheese on top for a little something special, or keep it simple and serve with Homemade Breadsticks, French Bread, Dinner Rolls, or a Caesar Salad for a meal everyone will love.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Creamy and Cheesy: Every spoonful is loaded with rich cheddar cheese and tender broccoli.
- Easy One Pot Dinner: Simple ingredients come together for a satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.
- Ready for Busy Nights: It comes together quickly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Homemade Cheese Sauce: A simple butter and flour roux creates a smooth, creamy base that melts the cheese beautifully.
Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients
- Low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth (2 (14.5-ounce) cans): Creates a flavorful soup base while allowing you to control the salt level. Vegetable broth is a great vegetarian option.
- Broccoli (2 small heads, diced small): Adds hearty texture, fresh flavor, and plenty of color. Cutting the florets into small pieces helps them cook quickly and evenly.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Forms the base of the cheese sauce and adds rich flavor.
- All-purpose flour (⅓ cup): Thickens the soup into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Milk (3½ cups, plus more as needed): Creates a rich, creamy soup. Whole milk gives the creamiest texture, but 2% milk also works well.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (4 cups, plus more for topping): Melts into the soup for rich, cheesy flavor. Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all of the flavors in the soup.
- Garlic pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds savory garlic flavor with a touch of black pepper for extra depth.
- Cooked bacon (6 slices, chopped, optional): Adds smoky flavor and a crunchy topping that pairs perfectly with the creamy soup.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
BROCCOLI. In a large pot, add chicken broth and broccoli. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
ROUX. While simmering, melt butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for another minute (or until golden brown). Whisk in milk and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
CHEESE. Add cheese and stir until it is all melted. Add salt and garlic pepper.
COMBINE. Pour cheese sauce into the large pot and stir until well combined.
Add more milk for a thinner consistency and add any additional salt and pepper needed. Top with bacon pieces. Serve warm.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Shred your own cheddar cheese for the smoothest, creamiest soup.
- Cut the broccoli into small, even pieces so it cooks quickly and fits easily on a spoon.
- Stir the cheese in over low heat to keep it smooth and prevent it from becoming grainy.
- Blend a portion of the soup if you prefer a smoother texture while still leaving some broccoli pieces for texture.
- Crockpot directions. Place butter and flour in your crock pot and let melt. Add milk and let set for 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients but cheese. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, adding cheese 30 minutes before done.
Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 2 small heads of broccoli, diced small
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3½ cups milk, plus more as needed
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic pepper
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, add broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low.
- Add broccoli, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for another minute, until golden brown. Whisk in milk, turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Add cheese and stir until it is all melted. Add salt and garlic pepper. Pour cheese sauce into the soup pot and stir until well combined.
- Add more milk if you like a thinner consistency, and season with additional salt and garlic pepper to taste.
- Top with bacon pieces and extra cheese, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Shred your own cheddar cheese for the smoothest, creamiest soup.
- Cut the broccoli into small, even pieces so it cooks quickly and fits easily on a spoon.
- Stir the cheese in over low heat to keep it smooth and prevent it from becoming grainy.
- Blend a portion of the soup if you prefer a smoother texture while still leaving some broccoli pieces for texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Pour into an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days! Reheat in the microwave or on the stove and serve with some crusty bread.
Once it has cooled, pour it into a freezer-safe bag/container. Keep the soup in the freezer for up to 6 months! For a warm creamy texture, reheat on the stove top over low-medium heat.
Make individual servings by pouring them into paper/plastic cups, freezing them, and removing them from the cup after it has frozen. Store the frozen individual servings in a freezer-safe bag.
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This recipe was first shared December, 2012.
This was the Best broccoli and cheese that I have made. From now on it will be my go to soup.
I’ve made a lot of your recipes and they Never disappoint.
Awe, I love that! Thanks so much for sharing that!
You dont list bacon in this recipe although it’s pretty common knowledge, unless you dont like bacon. Love your recipes. My go too if im looking for change 👍
This specific recipe doesn’t call for bacon, but bacon makes everything better right? You could definitely add some in! So glad to hear you enjoy the recipes!
So easy to make and so comforting! It’s become a new favorite with my family!! Thank you for sharing.
This is creamy, rich, cheesy and super delicious! I can’t get enough of this broccoli cheese soup, it’s addicting!
im not a soup person, but broccoli cheddar soup is my go to when I make it! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
You’re welcome!!
Very good & easy. I caramalized some onion & jalapeno before melting butter & threw in some minced garlic as I made the roux. 😋
How much of the Swiss Cheese does the recipe need? I couldn’t find it where the ingredients were listed.
Also, where can I find garlic pepper?
Thank you!!
The recipe doesn’t call for any swiss cheese, just cheddar. And you can find garlic pepper in most spice sections of a grocery store.
This is always my go-to soup! Everyone enjoys it and its such a comfort food on a cold day.