Description
Hearty “Crockpot Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup” delivers comfort in a bowl, blending creamy potatoes with sharp cheddar and tender broccoli. Slow-cooked simplicity makes this soup a delightful winter companion you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
Vegetables:
- 1 large yellow onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 4 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Garnishes:
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped chives or green onions
- Croutons
Instructions
- Combine diced potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the crockpot, creating a flavor-packed vegetable base.
- Pour chicken broth over the vegetables, ensuring they are completely submerged for thorough cooking.
- Set crockpot to LOW and cook for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, allowing vegetables to become tender and develop deep, rich flavors.
- During the final hour of cooking, gently fold in broccoli florets to maintain their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- In the last 30 minutes, slowly incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent separation.
- Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, mixing between additions to create a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.
- Carefully taste the soup and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with extra cheese, freshly chopped chives, and crunchy croutons for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Add broccoli later in the cooking process to maintain its bright green color and prevent overcooking, which can make it mushy and dull.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more intense flavor profile, and grate it fresh for smoother melting and better overall taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and use reduced-fat cheddar cheese to decrease calories without sacrificing richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (in High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg