Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our incredibly easy Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe. This creamy, rich, and wonderfully cheesy soup is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect choice for a cozy weeknight dinner or a warming weekend treat. Forget standing over the stove; let your slow cooker do all the hard work, simmering ingredients to perfection and filling your home with an irresistible aroma. Our recipe focuses on simple, wholesome ingredients to create a deeply satisfying soup that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Effortless Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup: A Comfort Food Staple
There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to bring warmth and comfort, especially when the weather turns crisp. Our Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup delivers on all fronts: it’s rich, creamy, packed with tender broccoli, and loaded with savory cheese. This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s incredibly convenient, utilizing the magic of your slow cooker to create a wholesome meal that tastes like it took hours of effort.
We often find ourselves looking for hearty, nutritious meals that our loved ones will genuinely enjoy, and this soup fits the bill perfectly. It’s an excellent way to incorporate vegetables into a dish that even the pickiest eaters will adore. Whether you’re making a batch for your family, preparing meals for an elderly relative, or simply craving something soul-satisfying, this easy broccoli cheese soup is a fantastic choice.
One of the delightful side effects of making this soup in your slow cooker is the incredible aroma that permeates your home. As the butter, onions, and broccoli slowly meld with the cheeses and broth, your kitchen will be filled with a comforting scent that truly embodies home cooking. It’s a small price to pay for the fantastic, creamy goodness that awaits!
Why Choose the Slow Cooker for Broccoli Cheese Soup?
The slow cooker, or Crock Pot, is an invaluable kitchen tool, especially for recipes like this broccoli cheese soup. Its ability to gently simmer ingredients over several hours allows flavors to deepen and meld in a way that quick stovetop cooking often can’t achieve. Here are just a few reasons why we love using a slow cooker for this recipe:
- Hands-Off Cooking: After a minimal amount of initial prep, you can set it and forget it. This frees up your time to attend to other tasks or simply relax.
- Flavor Development: The extended cooking time at a low temperature allows the broccoli to become incredibly tender and the cheese flavors to fully integrate into the broth, creating a richer, more complex soup.
- Consistent Results: Slow cookers maintain a steady temperature, reducing the risk of burning or uneven cooking, which is crucial for creamy soups.
- Warmth and Comfort: On a cold day, there’s nothing better than walking into a home filled with the inviting aroma of a delicious meal simmering away.
- Easy Meal Prep: This soup is perfect for making ahead, and the slow cooker simplifies the process of cooking larger batches.
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Crafting this epic Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup requires a handful of simple, readily available ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the soup’s signature creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with tips for selection:
Key Ingredients:
- Butter: Forms the flavorful base for sautéing the onions, adding a rich depth.
- Onion: Diced small, it provides a subtle sweetness and aromatic foundation.
- Broccoli Florets: The star of the show! Fresh broccoli offers the best texture and vibrant color. You can chop larger florets into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
- Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth: The liquid base for the soup. Using a reduced-sodium broth allows you to control the overall saltiness. Vegetable broth makes this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- Evaporated Milk: This is key to achieving that velvety smooth, creamy consistency without needing heavy cream. Its concentrated nature adds richness without excessive fat.
- Black Pepper: A simple seasoning that enhances all the other flavors.
- Velveeta Cheese: While some prefer to stick to non-processed cheeses, Velveeta melts incredibly smoothly and provides a distinct, creamy texture and a subtle tang that many associate with classic broccoli cheese soup. Cubing it helps it melt evenly.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds a wonderful, robust cheese flavor that complements the broccoli perfectly. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-bagged options, which often contain anti-caking agents.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami depth to the soup, elevating the overall cheese profile.
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- Diced Carrots: For added color, sweetness, and nutrition. Add them with the broccoli for simmering.
- Garlic: Minced garlic can be added with the onions for an extra layer of savory aroma.
- Salt: Adjust to taste after all the cheesy ingredients are melted, as broths and cheeses already contribute sodium.
Recommended Equipment for Your Slow Cooker Soup
Making Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is straightforward, but having the right tools can make the process even smoother:
- Skillet: Essential for briefly sautéing the onions before they go into the slow cooker. This step builds a deeper flavor foundation.
- Kitchen Spoon/Whisk: For stirring ingredients, especially when incorporating the cheeses to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker): The star appliance! We highly recommend using a slow cooker with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking cycle is complete. This feature is incredibly convenient, preventing your soup from overcooking if you’re not home precisely when it finishes, and keeping it at the perfect serving temperature until you’re ready to eat. A 6-quart or larger capacity is ideal for this recipe.
Preparation and Storage Tips for Convenience
One of the many advantages of this Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is its versatility for meal prep and storage. Whether you’re planning ahead or dealing with delicious leftovers, these tips will help you maintain freshness and flavor.
Make Ahead: This soup is wonderfully make-ahead friendly. The flavors often deepen and improve overnight, making it an excellent option for busy schedules. Prepare it a day or two in advance and simply reheat when ready to serve.
Storage: Always ensure your leftovers are stored properly to maintain freshness and safety. Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. It will keep well in the fridge for up to five days.
Freezing: For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave a little headspace for expansion if using rigid containers. Frozen soup will maintain its quality for up to three months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
How to Reheat: To enjoy your frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated through. You can also use your microwave for individual portions, stirring halfway through heating. If reheating a large batch, your slow cooker can be used on the “warm” setting until the soup is hot and bubbly.
Delicious Recipe Variations for Every Taste
This Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to customize it to suit various dietary preferences and flavor cravings. Experiment with these variations to make it your own!
Cheese Substitutions: While Velveeta contributes to the soup’s unique texture and color, you can certainly swap it out. For a more “from scratch” approach, use an equal amount of cream cheese or a mix of additional sharp cheddar and a little extra cream cheese for richness. Feel free to experiment with other shredded cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or even a smoked cheddar for a different flavor profile.
Broccoli Options: Fresh broccoli florets are ideal for their vibrant color and slight crispness, but frozen broccoli florets work perfectly too! If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand; simply add them directly to the slow cooker, though cooking time might extend slightly.
Vegetarian Option: Our base recipe is easily adaptable for vegetarians. Simply substitute chicken broth with an equal amount of high-quality vegetable broth. All other ingredients are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan Option: To make this soup vegan, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Additionally, you will need to swap out all dairy products: use plant-based butter (like olive oil margarine), unsweetened plant-based milk (almond or cashew milk work well for creaminess), and a combination of your favorite plant-based cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, as most of its ingredients do not contain gluten. However, if you are highly sensitive or have Celiac disease, always double-check the labels of your broth and any processed cheese products to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
Make it Spicy: For those who love a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of smoked paprika, or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to the soup. These additions will create a zesty kick that beautifully complements the creamy cheese.
Broccoli Beer Cheese Soup: For an adult twist, consider replacing a cup of the broth with your favorite light beer or ale. This adds a wonderful, malty depth and subtle bitterness that pairs exceptionally well with the cheese.
Smaller or Larger Servings: The provided recipe yields six generous servings. You can easily scale the ingredients up or down to meet your needs. If scaling up significantly for a large gathering, you might need a larger slow cooker or to cook in batches.
Sugar-Free: This recipe contains approximately 11 grams of sugar per serving, largely from the evaporated milk and natural sugars in broccoli and onion. If sugar content is a dietary concern, opt for unsweetened evaporated milk alternatives and be mindful of any hidden sugars in your broth. Focus on using ingredients with the lowest possible sugar content.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Achieving the perfect Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is simple with a few insider tips:
- For a Chunky vs. Smooth Consistency: The recipe as written will give you a wonderfully chunky soup with tender pieces of broccoli. If you prefer a smoother, more velvety consistency, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker after the soup has finished cooking and the cheeses are melted. Blend until you reach your desired smoothness. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer portions of the soup to a regular blender (blend in batches and be cautious with hot liquids) until smooth, then return to the slow cooker.
- Melting the Cheese: For the smoothest, creamiest finish, add the Velveeta first and stir until fully melted and incorporated. Then, gradually add the shredded cheddar and Parmesan, stirring constantly until each addition is completely smooth before adding more. This prevents the cheese from clumping.
- Seasoning to Taste: Broths and cheeses vary in sodium content. Taste your soup before adding extra salt. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
- Freshness of Ingredients: While frozen broccoli works, using fresh, vibrant broccoli florets can make a noticeable difference in the final flavor and texture.
- Don’t Overcook: While slow cookers are forgiving, overcooking broccoli can make it mushy and lose its color. Cook until just tender.
What to Serve with Your Cozy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Our Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is satisfying enough to stand alone, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, main dishes, and even desserts to create a complete and memorable meal. Here are some menu planning suggestions:
Perfect Sides:
- Crusty Bread or Rolls: Ideal for soaking up every last drop of the creamy soup. Garlic bread or cheese biscuits are also fantastic.
- Classic Soup and Salad Combo: A light, fresh salad provides a lovely contrast to the richness of the soup. Consider a Greek Cucumber Salad, a vibrant Easy Watermelon Salad for summer, or a hearty Kale & Apple Salad for cooler months. Other great options include Black-Eyed Pea Salad, Kidney Bean Salad, Hawaiian Mac Salad, Pear Salad, or a 7-Layer Salad.
- Sandwiches & Grilled Cheese: A classic pairing! A simple grilled cheese sandwich is a comforting companion, or try something more adventurous like a Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese.
- Broccoli Slaw: For an extra boost of broccoli goodness and a different texture, serve with a crisp Broccoli Slaw.
Complementary Main Dishes (if serving smaller portions of soup):
- Hearty Sandwiches: Pair with robust sandwiches such as a CrockPot French Dip Sandwich, Funeral Sandwiches, or a Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwich.
- Chicken or Meatballs: Dishes like CrockPot Bacon Ranch Chicken, Swedish Meatballs, or CrockPot Bourbon Barbecue Beef can turn this into a multi-course meal.
Sweet Endings:
- For a delightful finish, serve with a light, fruity dessert like Ambrosia Salad, Grape Salad, Orange Dreamsicle Salad, or Strawberry Fluff Salad.
When is the Best Time to Serve This Soup?
The beauty of Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is its versatility. It’s truly a soup for all seasons and occasions:
- Lunch: A warm, hearty bowl makes for a satisfying midday meal.
- Dinner: Perfect for a comforting family dinner, especially on chilly evenings.
- Potlucks & Gatherings: Its crowd-pleasing flavor and ease of transport in a slow cooker make it ideal for sharing.
- Meal Prep: Excellent for batch cooking at the start of the week to enjoy healthy meals throughout.
- Anytime You Crave Comfort: Let’s be honest, sometimes you just need a bowl of cheesy, creamy goodness, and this soup delivers every time!
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Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
6
411
kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cups broccoli chopped
- 4 cups Chicken Broth reduced sodium if possible
- 1 12 oz Evaporated Milk
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 8 oz velveeta cheese cubed
- 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat butter in a skillet, add in onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender, add to crock pot
- Add in broccoli, chicken broth, milk and pepper
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours until broccoli is tender
- Stir in Velveeta until melted, add in cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese, stir until melted
- Serve topped with extra cheddar cheese
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 243
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Recipe originally shared on November 9, 2015. Updated October 2020