Imagine a soup so creamy, so rich, and so incredibly delicious that it transforms your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience. This Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Slow Cooker Soup is not just another recipe – it's a warm hug in a bowl that will have your family begging for seconds. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, this American-style comfort dish is about to become your new go-to meal that combines the wholesome goodness of broccoli with the irresistible charm of melted cheddar cheese.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables by washing and chopping broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking.
- Dice the onion finely to help it blend smoothly into the soup base and release its sweet, aromatic flavors during slow cooking.
- Add the chopped broccoli florets and diced onions to the slow cooker, creating an initial vegetable layer at the bottom of the pot.
- Pour the vegetable broth over the vegetables, ensuring they are mostly submerged but not completely covered to maintain the right consistency.
- Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to your personal taste preferences.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat, allowing the soup to cook slowly for 3-4 hours until the broccoli becomes tender and easily breaks apart.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, creating a creamy texture while leaving some vegetable chunks for added texture.
- Stir in the heavy cream, which will add richness and smooth out the soup's consistency.
- Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously to help it melt evenly and prevent clumping.
- Allow the soup to sit for 10-15 minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld and the soup to reach a perfect serving temperature.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with additional shredded cheese, fresh cracked pepper, or a sprinkle of chopped chives for extra visual appeal.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh broccoli florets and high-quality cheddar cheese for the best flavor profile.
- Uniform Chopping: Cut broccoli into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Low and Slow is the Way: Stick to the low heat setting to allow flavors to develop and vegetables to become perfectly tender.
- Blending Technique: When using an immersion blender, leave some chunks for texture – you want a creamy soup, not a completely pureed one.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Add cheese gradually and stir continuously to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Season Carefully: Start with less salt and pepper, then adjust at the end of cooking to prevent over-seasoning.
- Cream Addition Timing: Stir in heavy cream towards the end of cooking to prevent separation and maintain a luxurious texture.
- Serving Suggestion: Garnish with extra cheese, fresh cracked pepper, or chopped chives to elevate the presentation and add extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 65mg
