Broccoli Cheese Soup
This no-velveeta homemade broccoli cheese soup is sure to win you over! The soup is simple and incredible and comes together quickly.
I could sum up this post by the following statement from my husband while devouring this meal: “This is the ultimate perfect dinner.”
Of course it could have been the atmosphere since it had snowed all day and was the perfect night for soup, but still, when we were fighting over the last scoops in the pot, I knew this had to be a winner.
I received this recipe from a commenter, Liz, who has tried several recipes from here. Come to find out, after a few months of back and forth commenting, we figured out we went to high school together and went to the same church growing up.
What a small world – especially now that we both live several states away from where we grew up!
She mentioned the other day in an email that she had used the Italian Bread Bowl recipe for her broccoli cheese soup and her kids ate it up…plus it was a no-velveeta recipe.
Of course, I begged and pleaded for her recipe. While I don’t have anything against velveeta, I wanted a recipe with less processed flavors, and if my kids would eat it…then I knew it would be a keeper.
This soup was incredible, and sure enough, my kids ate it with minimal fuss even with the broccoli. I was quite pleased (shocked, actually, but then quite pleased). It’s since became one of our family’s favorite soups of all time!
FAQs for Broccoli Cheese Soup
It turns a little grainy after being frozen due to the cheese, but it reheats pretty well (texture is slightly less creamy).
Yep!
I’d recommend cooking it on the stovetop and transferring it to a slow cooker to keep it warm (only for an hour or so – it might lose it’s smooth texture if in there too long!)
This soup won’t curdle as long as you moderate the heat well. It’s very smooth and creamy; not as artificially smooth as Velveeta recipes – it has a little texture from the roux.
What To Serve With This:
Artisan or Italian Bread Bowls
Simple green Salad (or for an extra special salad this Spinach Salad with Spicy Nuts)
Fresh, seasonal fruit
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, diced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, preferably sharp or extra sharp
- ½ cup shredded swiss cheese
- 2 ½ to 3 cups chopped lightly steamed or blanched broccoli
Instructions
- Simmer chicken broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft.
- Heat milk in microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour, salt and pepper. Cook together, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium heat until soup starts to thicken, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add warmed chicken broth and continue to stir until well blended. Add cheeses and stir until completely melted. Stir in steamed broccoli. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve immediately in bowls or bread bowls.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted very slightly from my friend, Liz K.
I can’t wait to try this!!!! At my high school we had some sort of broccoli cheese soup poured over a baked potato. I ate that at least once a week! I used to always use a roll to get the rest of the soup that spilled over the potato. Yum! I can hardly wait!
Loved the recipe. So simple and easy. Thanks for sharing.
Umm… totally delish! I am still totally drooling and thinking about the desert for Christmas Eve. I can’t wait!!!!
Anonymous – what a great idea to use smoked swiss. I bet it adds a fabulous flavor!
Susan – what a great idea to use fresh lemon juice to brighten up the flavor. I’m definitely adding that to the recipe for me to try next time. Thanks!
Heather – yay! So glad you loved this. No leftovers is a good thing in my book.
I made this tonight and I doubled the recipe since we were feeding several people over the age of 16 and it tasted good but it was a little runny. I usually like my broccoli cheese soup to be nice and thick but for some reason my just wasn’t so thick. Is the recipe supposed to make a thinner soup or did I just do something wrong.
thanks
thanks for this! you inspired me with the bread bowls and soup 🙂 my kids and i made them today, and despite my lack of bread making skills, between the soup and the bowl it was awesome!>here’s links 🙂>http://adoramama.blogspot.com/2009/01/making-bread-bowls.html>http://adoramama.blogspot.com/2009/01/bread-bowl-and-soup.html>i can’t wait to try more of your delicious looking recipes!
Ahem — this was SO good. So good. So very easy and no Velveeta anywhere! Loved it.
WOW! This looks great! I was surprised to read it had swiss. I bet that gives it such a unique taste. I’m wondering if you can cook the broccoli in the soup instead of steaming it first. I don’t have a steamer and I’m a terrible broccoli-cooker. I love that it was paired with the bread bowls.
I made this soup tonight, and it turned out fabulous. Thanks
Carrie – of course I don’t mind!! Steal any recipe you want…
Hi Amanda – thanks for your comment. This is not a runny soup so I don’t know what went wrong, unless your roux (the combination of butter and flour) broke and didn’t thicken with the milk. Sometimes that can happen if it gets to hot or doesn’t have time to slowly thicken. When I’ve made it, the soup is thick enough to serve in bread bowls without the bread getting soggy.
I hope if you attempt it again it works out better!
Becky – so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know!
Mel – I stole this recipe for a RS newlsetter…I hope that’s OK! It looked so yummy, and fairly easy. Thanks!!
mmmm.this soup looks perfect!!! I love the bread bowl!
This looks great, the bread bowl makes it even better!
We made this for dinner tonight. It was flavorful and creamy. I added a small squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor a bit. Yum!
Norah – I saw your post on your blog about this recipe. I loved how big the chunks of broccoli were – I think I’ll cut mine bigger next time! Thanks for letting me know you liked it.
Loralee – thanks for checking back in (especially with the holidays!) to let me know you liked this.
With the cold snowy weather we are having, that sounds absolutely PERFECT!
I tried this recipe the other night and everyone loved it! No bread bowls for us, but we still licked up every drop. The kids even ate the broccoli! I made it again and added potatoes and some leftover ham. Delicious!!>Love your blog and can’t wait to try more recipes!!
We just had this recipe tonight, and it was delicious! Thank you.>😀
http://my3652009.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-10th.html
i made it! everyone loved it! thanks so much!
Melanie, I am so excited to see my recipe on here! I hope everyone enjoyes this soup as much as my family does!
Katie – your comment was so sweet – thank you! I absolutely love new recipes, too, so I’m glad it is fun for you to peruse through this site. Thanks, again!
This looks DELICIOUS! Growing up, my favorite soup was always broccoli cheddar and your bread bowl looks out of this world.
I made this tonight and it was amazing! We had no leftovers!
With the cold snowy weather we are having, that sounds absolutely PERFECT!
mrsjackblack – I loved your blog posts on these recipes – especially your kids digging in and helping with the bread bowls. Thanks for the suggestions on the adaptations to the recipe – sounds delicious!
my friend amy recommended your blog…and basically i’m addicted!! i L-O-V-E new recipes so your blog is the perfect early Christmas present!!
Lisa – so, so glad you liked this. Thanks for letting me know!
scrappysue – glad you liked this and that it was a hit with everyone. Thanks!
That sounds amazing! Isn’t is funny how small the world can be…especially in the church. I also love that this recipe has no velveeta. i can’t wait to try it!
This looks yummy – especially in the bread bowl. I think I would eat chopped liver if it was served in a bread bowl!
Julianne – love your comments. You always make me smile. I’m glad you liked this!
I found your blog through my sisters, & had a ladies luncheon with some friends today & tried out this recipe. Loved it!!! Easy to make & tasted fabulous! Thanx 🙂
I have tried many of your recipes and have loved them all! This soup turned out great and next time I am definitely attempting the bread bowls!! My husband and I are huge fans of bread bowls and soup, having grown up near San Francisco, nothing beats clam chowder in a bread bowl!!
Emily S. – I totally agree with you on the clam chowder in bread bowls! I’m glad you liked the broccoli cheese soup – you’ll have to let me know when you try the bread bowls. Thanks for commenting!
I’ve made this soup a few times now–and it always turns out wonderfully! Heating up the milk before using it (when making the white sauce part of the recipe) is a great tip. I have also turned this into a mac-and-cheese soup by adding some cooked macaroni. That was good, too.
wow–quite a compliment from the hubby! it certainly looks delicious, and i’m always enticed by anything in a bread bowl… 🙂
Made this tonight! It was so good! Thanks so much!!
This looks SOOO good…unfortunately I’m the only soup lover in the house. I would be frowned upon if I served this as dinner. But, I’m ok with that 😛
Wow this looks fantastic! I will have to try it out!
Anne – so glad you liked this and I’m grateful you commented to let me know. Your additions of potatoes and ham sound delicious!
This looks fantastic , I’m bookmarking this, I think the kids would really like this, thanks!
Valerie – I’m so glad you like this. Great idea to add macaroni – my kids would love that!
Liz K is my sister-in-law. She recently told me about your blog and specifically about your buttermilk banana bread recipe(which I am going to try soon). Since then, I have been hooked on your blog! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes and inspiration!
Hey! I know who gave you this recipe! I have tried it and it is very good.
I have made this with smoked swiss and it is outstanding