🥔🥦 Crockpot Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Crockpot Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, cozy slow-cooker soup loaded with tender potatoes, broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, and a rich, velvety broth. It’s a comforting cold-weather meal that tastes like a restaurant favorite but is easy to make at home.
5
Prep Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 6–7 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Total: About 6½ hours
Servings
6–8 servings
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2½ lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 5 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Creamy Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
Toppings (Optional)
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Crispy bacon bits
- Green onions
- Sour cream
- Croutons
Instructions
1. Add Ingredients to Crockpot
- Add potatoes, broccoli, onion, garlic, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
- Stir to combine.
2. Slow Cook
- Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are very tender.
3. Make It Creamy
- About 30 minutes before serving, mash some potatoes in the crockpot with a potato masher for a thicker texture.
- In a saucepan, melt butter.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add cream, stirring until slightly thickened.
- Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Pour cheese sauce into the crockpot and mix well.
4. Finish & Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
- 🥖 Crusty bread
- 🧄 Garlic bread
- 🥗 Green salad
- 🥪 Grilled cheese sandwich
Variations
🥓 Loaded Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Add:
- Crispy bacon
- Chives
- Extra cheese
🌶 Spicy Version
Add:
- Jalapeños
- Cayenne pepper
- Pepper jack cheese
🥕 Extra Vegetable Version
Add:
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
Storage
- Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze without cream/cheese for best texture; add dairy when reheating.
- Reheat gently on the stove to prevent the cheese from separating.
Tips for the Best Soup
- Use sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor.
- Don’t boil after adding cheese—high heat can make the sauce grainy.
- Mash some potatoes instead of blending all of it for a hearty texture.
- Fresh broccoli added later in cooking keeps more flavor and color.