This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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 one is going on my list when soup season comes around. Today is July 20 with another heat index of 100 +.
This potato soup will be a nice change from the “Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana”
It’s definitely a keeper for cooler temps!! Hope you like it, as much as I do!!
I’m making this recipe this weekend and it will be my 4th time! I LOVE it! I make it for my family of 3 and freeze half for later. Usually, there are leftovers for my lunch the next day too! My daughter RARELY asks for seconds of anything and this is one that she always wants more of. Since I first made this–this winter– I would have to say this is my favorite meal. Now that I’m pregnant, I’ve been craving it like crazy! Who cares that it’s middle of summer and 90 degrees! lol
LOL!! I could eat it year long, too! So, glad you all like it!! Thanks for letting me know!
Just made this soup today, turned out great. Simple to make and ready on 30 minutes. Loved it!
I LOVE this soup!! Thank you for giving it a try & letting me know!!
I only made this with items I had on hand (for example, I only had about 2/3 of a bag of shredded colby jack, not a full 2c bag of cheddar), but it still turned out pretty good! I am excited to buy the proper ingredients and make it right, so it will be even better!
Glad you liked it!:) We love this soup! Thanks for letting me know!!
I am gonna make this today..
Thanks
I hope you love it, like we do!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!
So I made this, it was very good. However, it separated the milk and cheese and upon asking a friend why she asked what temperature the recipe had called for the milk and cheese to be on. It doesn’t say. And I’ve never made a soup before so kind of disappointed this happened.
I’m sorry that happened! I usually keep the temp on the lower side, when I’m melting butter and adding milk, no higher than medium. Hopefully, that didn’t discourage you from trying again. I’m glad you liked it, though:)
Do you think this could be made in the crockpot? I want to try it tomorrow but my daughter has cheerleading practice so I do crockpot meals on Thursdays.
Usually, anything works out in the crockpot, so it should:) I can’t say I’ve tried this particular recipe in the crockpot, but if you want to try and let me know…that would be great to pass along.
Looks soo good! Doing this tomorrow for sure.
Thanks:) How did it turn out? It’s one of our favorites!!
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe looks so good and I would very much like to make it. Shuffling our daughter to and from various practices makes mekind of busy. I seen someone asked this but I didnt see a response, Is it possible to make this in a crock pot??
It is delish!! And, I’m sure it can be done in the crockpot. I haven’t tried it that way, but it seems like anything usually works in there. If you try, I’d love to know how it turns out!
My family absolutely Loves this soup!! I never did try it in the crock put, don’t k ow how it would fair having to make the roux. I have made it a number of times now and it always turns out great. I add a little more garlic pepper than the recipe calls for. Ever since buying it for this soup I am obsessed with it and put it on everything. Thank you for sharing this recipe! Everyone must try!!
Awe, thank you so much for sharing that!! I add garlic pepper on so many recipes! It’s my favorite seasoning!