Description
Hearty crockpot potato broccoli cheddar soup delivers comfort in a bowl with creamy Wisconsin cheese and garden-fresh vegetables. Home cooks will savor this simple one-pot meal that warms souls and satisfies hunger effortlessly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cups (720 ml) broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 4 medium potatoes (about 2 lbs / 900 g), peeled and diced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps butter (optional, for richness)
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Crumbled bacon (garnish)
- Additional shredded cheddar cheese (garnish)
- Chopped green onions (garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine diced potatoes, broccoli florets, onion, garlic, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in the crockpot. Gently mix to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until vegetables become tender and flavors meld together.
- Texture Transformation: Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup directly in the crockpot, creating a rustic, creamy consistency. If using a standard blender, carefully transfer half the soup, pulse until smooth, then return to the original mixture.
- Creamy Enhancement: Whisk heavy cream into the soup, then gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until fully melted. For added thickness, whisk flour into the cream before incorporating.
- Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in a pat of butter moments before serving to enhance richness.
- Serving: Ladle the velvety soup into bowls and garnish with optional toppings like crispy bacon bits, additional cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped green onions for a delightful presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Vegetable Mushiness: Cook vegetables on low setting to maintain their texture and prevent overcooking, ensuring broccoli and potatoes remain slightly firm instead of turning mushy.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese gradually off direct heat and stir continuously to prevent clumping and achieve smooth, silky consistency without graininess.
- Blending Safety Tip: When using standard blender, fill only halfway and remove center lid cap to allow steam escape, preventing potential pressure build-up and kitchen accidents.
- Dietary Modification Options: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian version, use gluten-free flour for thickening, and substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free alternative.
- 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: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg