It's no secret I love soup. Doesn't matter what time of year it is, I will eat it! When Christine and I were planning a way to surprise Katie (she's having her first baby next month!), all I could think of was broccoli. I know Katie loves broccoli…I was thinking about doing a quiche but when I thought of combining broccoli and cheese…I thought of Panera. I love Panera Bread's broccoli cheddar soup and thought maybe, maybe just maybe I can make a quick version of their soup.
Chop the broccoli into florets. I like big pieces of broccoli in my soup but if you like them smaller, feel free to chop them even smaller.
Prep the onions and the carrots.
I cook the onions and carrots in the melted butter.
After bringing the cream and broth to a boil…add potato flakes. This is my secret ingredients for soups lately. Love love this trick. It thickens it just a little bit and gives it a nice full flavor. Then, add the broccoli and the cheese.
And it's pretty darn close and so good! Serve with some bread or a salad and it's the perfect, quick and easy soup for busy families!
Recipe
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Easy Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 small onion diced small (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 carrots peeled and diced small (about 1/2 cup)
- salt & pepper
- 1 quart plus 1 can 14.5 ounce chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup instant potato flakes
- 3 to 4 heads of broccoli cut into florets
- 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese plus more for topping
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large French oven over medium heat. Add carrots and onion and cook for 4 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
- Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5 minutes.
- Add potato flakes and stir. Simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Add broccoli and cheese and return heat to medium and cook for another 10 minutes minutes. Season salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with cheese.
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And look at all of these wonderful recipes from a bunch of Katie's friends! Please stop by these wonderful blogs, Katie's other friends who are celebrating the impending arrival of Katie's first child! Love, love that everyone came together to make this a special day for Katie.
To Katie: I hope this was a surprise! Congrats to you! 🙂
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Jennifer says
Making this now!
Nellie says
This soup looks delicious. I have just one question. Do you know if this soup freezes well, after it has been cooked?
Julie Deily says
Hi Nellie!
I actually freeze this soup and reheat it and eat it! It tastes just fine after freezing and reheating but the consistency is definitely not the same as it was when it was fresh. If you’re okay with it, I would try it!
Nellie says
Thank you 🙂
Christine from Cook the Story says
broccoli cheddar is an all-time favorite! Pinned and shared, Julie!
Meghan says
Julie, this looks incredible! I’m just looking through all your recent posts & I always love your photos, but they’re looking beyond!! This soup is the perfect recipe to get through the last of the cold weather! Can’t wait to try it!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Thank you so much for all you did to organize this virtual baby shower for Katie!! And this soup…I must try it. I’ve never cooked with potato flakes before, you have me curious!
Dianna says
This looks great! I love a rich, cheesy soup… and one as easy as this? Even better!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Broccoli Cheddar soup is one of my favorites!