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Thick and creamy broccoli cheddar potato soup is packed with veggies and flavor for a hearty favorite in under an hour!
A Family Favorite Soup
Soups are an obsession in our house! We make them so often you could practically call it a hobby. One we make A LOT is this creamy broccoli cheddar potato soup.
This hearty variation is similar to our classic Broccoli Cheese Soup but with the addition of bacon and potatoes making it even more amazing!
It’s so hearty (packed with veggies) and full of flavor. This soup ends up pretty thick making it almost a chowder. It can be made soupier by adding more broth or milk, which is how we prefer it. Either way, we know you’ll LOVE it!
Rolls or French Bread are perfect for enjoying with your hearty soup.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Packed with veggies. This easy soup is not only delicious and filling it is packed full of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and Iron.
- So creamy. Velvety and delicious, this soup is thick and creamy – a stick-to-your-bones kind of dish.
- Great for weeknights! From start to finish, this is on the table in under an hour, perfect for any night.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth – or chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and cubed – We used Russet potatoes but Yukon Golds work as well. See Types of Potatoes and When to Use Them for more info.
- 2-3 large carrots diced – Peel and dice into coins.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 small heads broccoli diced small – or thaw frozen broccoli. Two small heads produce about 4-5 cups of florets.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter – or use bacon grease
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour – see How to Make a Roux
- 3½ cups milk plus more as needed – We use whole milk or 2% milk. For a creamier soup use heavy cream of half and half. For a thinner soup, lower-fat milk can be used.
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese plus more for topping (optional) – use mild or sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic pepper
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped – Use turkey bacon or even omit the bacon. See Bacon in the Oven.
How To Make Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup
- SIMMER. In a large pot, add 2 cans of chicken broth, 4 cubed potatoes, 2-3 diced carrots, and 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add 2 small heads of broccoli florets, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. The vegetables should be fork-tender.
- THICKEN. While that’s simmering, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in ⅓ cup flour and cook for another minute, until golden brown. Whisk in 3 ½ cups milk, turn the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Use a fork or immersion blender to mash up some of the potatoes, making the soup even creamier.
- SEASON. Add 4 cups shredded cheese and stir until it is all melted. Add 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon garlic pepper. Pour cheese sauce into the soup pot and stir until well combined.
- SERVE. Add more milk for a thinner consistency and add any additional salt and pepper needed. Top with 6 sliced cooked crumbed bacon and extra cheese (if desired) and you’ll be in heaven!
Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2-3 large carrots, diced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 small heads 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
Instructions
- In a large pot, add broth, potatoes, carrots, and onion powder and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store leftover potato soup recipe in airtight containers for 3-4 days or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 1 month. To cook, let the soup thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat the soup carefully over low to medium heat, whisking frequently and stirring well.
Recipe adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.
This soup was delicious…my fiancée is picky and loved it…I tossed my carrots, onion powder, and potatoes along with some Roasted garlic in my rendered bacon fat before adding the broth and it came out wonderfully!
Yay! So glad to hear the soup was a hit. Thanks for sharing what you did too.
This was excellent! I did add/change a few things though. Instead of the garlic and onion powder, I sautéed half an onion and some garlic. I sautéed the carrots with the onion and garlic mixture. When it was done cooking, I added some wild green onions and red pepper flakes. Thanks for the recipe!
Yum! Thanks for sharing what you did. Glad you enjoyed the soup!!
Wow was that good!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed the soup!
Hubby loved it, and he is very picky! Thank you!!
You’re welcome!! So glad to hear he was a fan of the soup!
Can’t wait to try this! Any suggestions on how to do it in the crockpot? 😁
Just throw it all in the pot and go. Make your flour into a paste in cold water before adding it though. Add that at the end. Let cook an extra thirty minutes. Should thicken in my opinion.
thank you. was wondering the same thing. I do almost all my cooking in a crock pot.
My husband doesn’t like broccoli so I followed the recipe exactly except I used fresh asparagus instead. It is delicious but it makes a lot for just 2 people. How do you think it would freeze? Has anyone tried?
I’m a sous-chef. Freezing for up to three to four months in my house is common. Still just as tasty- check for freezer burn
Thanks for sharing!!
I added celery and onion with the potatoes and carrots. I also reduced the milk to two cups.
Prior to adding the cheese sauce, I pureed the boiled veggies with my immersion blender.
Everyone LOVED this soup!
This soup has become a family favorite
Yay!! So glad to hear that!
My husband and I LOVE this soup!!! He says he could eat it everyday! So good on a rainy fall day like today! It’s a very quick and easy recipe. I’ll be making it again this evening. YUMMMMMM!!!
Oh yay!! I’m so glad you and your husband enjoyed the soup!
Just made this recipe for meal prep for the week and gosh is it delicious! I used frozen broccoli and tossed it in at the beginning with the potatoes and carrots and used almond milk since that’s all I had and they turned out great! I also cut the recipe in half since it’s just me and it still turned out perfect. Can’t recommend this enough!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the soup. Thanks for sharing what you did too!
We added some frozen veggies and onion and celery with some roasted garlic bullion. That made the taste better. We also lowered the milk to 2 3/4 Cups of milk instead of 3 1/2
Sounds like some tasty adaptations. Glad you enjoyed the soup!