Broccoli Cheese Soup

Loaded with broccoli and two different cheeses, this creamy and delicious soup is the ultimate comfort food, especially when served in a bread bowl!

Soup Season is our favorite! Whether it’s Cheesy Potato Soup or Cheesy Cauliflower Soup, we love to enjoy these recipes all fall and winter long – especially when cheese is involved! If you love Broccoli & Cheese soup, be sure to check out our Copycat Panera version too!

Just like pacific wharf cafe!

Is it possible NOT to love soup?!

We count down the days until the weather is cool enough to enjoy delicious soups, and a favorite of ours (since childhood) is Broccoli Cheese Soup. We know it’s a popular one, and not only is this recipe super delicious, but it’s beyond simple too.

If you’ve ever been to the Pacific Wharf Cafe at California Adventure in Anaheim, you may have tried their Broccoli Cheese Soup in a Bread Bowl. If not, you must try it – it’s practically HEAVEN!

I have been dying to find a recipe that compares to this little piece of heaven. I’m happy to report that after a few tweaks (we used out Loaded Broccoli Potato Soup as a base), this soup tastes just like Disney’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

We’re big fans of the food at Disneyland, and have made several copycat recipes, including Dole Whips and Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Skewers.

Now we have this soup that can remind us of the happiest place on earth, too!

how to make Broccoli Cheese Soup

Believe it or not, this recipe is as simple as it is delicious. It only takes about 30 minutes to come together, and the ingredients are super simple. In fact, you probably have most of them on hand already.

SIMMER. In a large pot, add chicken broth and broccoli. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

ROUX. While simmering, melt butter in a large sauce pan. 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.

ADD. 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.

NOTE: Add more milk for a thinner consistency and add any additional salt and pepper needed. Top with bacon pieces. Serve warm.

Crockpot instructions

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 hour or on low for 4-6 hours, adding cheese 30 minutes before done.

Recipe Tips & VAriations

Thickening. Add flour or cornstarch to the soup to thicken it. To do that, just whisk a few tablespoons of cornstarch into a little broth in a separate bowl before whisking it into the main pot. This will help thicken up the entire soup.

• Vegetables: If you want even more veggies besides broccoli, you could add sliced/shredded carrots or diced onions.
• Cheese: Our recipe calls for mild or sharp cheddar cheese, as well as Swiss cheese. You could easily swap those out for white cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, jack cheese, or American cheese. It may have a slightly different flavor, but all would be delicious!
• Milk: The soup is plenty creamy with the use of milk, however if you prefer a thicker texture, you can use half and half or heavy cream instead.
• Broth: If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can use vegetable broth instead. Or, use a bouillon cube for the equivalent amount of broth (4 cubes + 4 cups of water).
• Broccoli: Make your broccoli as big or little as you like. You can use full broccoli florets, cut them into bite size pieces, cut off the broccoli stems completely, or whatever you prefer!

Tips for storing

Regardless of whether you’re putting it in the fridge or freezing, let the soup cool to room temperature before storing.

Fridge. 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. Yum!!

Freezer. Broccoli cheese soup is actually perfect for freezing! Once it has cooled, pour into a freezer safe bag/container. Keep the soup in the freezer for up to 6 months!

You could even make individual servings by pouring into paper/plastic cups, freezing, and removing from the cup after it has frozen. Store the frozen individual servings in a freezer safe bag.

For more soup recipes, check out:

• White Chicken Chili
• Spaghetti Chili
• Ham and Bean Soup
• Hamburger Soup
• Potato Bacon Soup
• Loaded Broccoli Potato Soup
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

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5 from 17 votes

This is our GO-TO Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe. It's simple and so flavorful and enjoyed all year long!

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 27 minutes minutes

Total Time 32 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 357 kcal

Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 14.5 oz cans chicken broth
• ▢ 2 small heads of broccoli, washed and diced small
• ▢ 3 tbsp butter
• ▢ 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 3 ½ -4 cups milk
• ▢ 4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp garlic pepper

Instructions

 

• In a large pot, add chicken broth and broccoli. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• While simmering, melt butter in a large sauce pan. 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.
• Add cheese and stir until it is all melted. Add salt and garlic pepper.
• 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.

Video

Nutrition Facts

Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 357 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g38%

Saturated Fat 14g88%

Trans Fat 0.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 71mg24%

Sodium 757mg33%

Potassium 578mg17%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 1694IU34%

Vitamin C 136mg165%

Calcium 511mg51%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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