Go Back
Broccoli Cheese Soup with Potato

Broccoli Cheese Soup with Potato

Broccoli Cheese Soup with Potato is a creamy, comforting bowl with savory cheddar ribbons and tender potato body. This easy weeknight dinner uses simple pantry ingredients to deliver a rich mouthfeel and satisfying texture, perfect for cold evenings or family meals, and a persuasive choice when you want fast comfort with real flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Soups
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • Large soup pot
  • Immersion blender or chopper
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Measuring Spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small onion, chopped Sauté until translucent to build a sweet, aromatic base that softens and melds with other vegetables in the soup.
  • 1 medium carrot, chopped Add for a subtle sweetness and body; cook until tender to contribute natural sugars and a pleasant texture to the broth.
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped Sweat gently to provide a mild savory backbone and aromatic depth that complements onion and carrot without overpowering.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Mince and cook briefly to release pungent, garlicky aroma that brightens flavors and enhances the savory profile of the soup.
  • 1 tbsp butter Melt in the pot to create a rich cooking fat that sautés aromatics and helps develop a lightly browned, savory base.
  • 2 tbsp flour, AP, whole wheat or gluten-free flour Whisk in to form a roux that thickens the broth, lending a silky mouthfeel while binding dairy and broth together.
  • 2 1/2 cups less sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth Pour in as the primary liquid to simmer vegetables, infuse flavors, and provide a savory foundation with controlled saltiness.
  • 1 cup fat free milk Stir in to add creaminess and subtle dairy sweetness while reducing fat content compared to whole milk, contributing to texture.
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small Simmer until fork-tender to add comforting starchiness that thickens the soup and provides hearty substance and creaminess when mashed.
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt and fresh pepper Season to balance flavors; add kosher salt and fresh ground pepper gradually to enhance and refine the overall taste profile.
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces, about 2 heads Chop into small pieces and simmer to deliver vibrant green color, fresh broccoli flavor, and tender florets that blend smoothly.
  • 1 -1/2 cups reduced fat shredded sharp cheddar Fold in shredded sharp cheddar to introduce bold, tangy cheesiness and melt into the soup for creamy depth and richness.
  • 2 slices 2% cheddar or American cheese Melt into the base to contribute smooth, processed meltability and a creamy consistency that helps bind the cheese sauce.
  • 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese Sprinkle or stir in to add a savory umami finish and concentrated salty, nutty notes that sharpen the overall cheese flavor.

Instructions
 

  • Chop onion, carrot, celery, garlic in a chopper or mini food processor.: The sound of vegetables landing in the bowl should be crisp, and the scent will begin to hint at the soup to come. Fine, even pieces ensure uniform cooking and a smooth final texture, especially since part of the soup will be blended. A dull or inconsistent chop can leave raw, crunchy bits that break the creaminess. If you do not have a chopper, take your time with a sharp knife, and pause to scrape the board so nothing sticks. Keep the minced garlic separate so it does not burn during the initial sauté, and smell the mixture as you work, noting when the vegetables start to smell sweet.
  • In a large soup pot, melt butter. Add chopped vegetables and sauté on low heat until soft, about 5 minutes.: As the butter melts, it should shimmer without smoking, and the veggies will begin to soften and release a gentle aroma. Softening slowly draws out natural sweetness from the onion , carrot , and celery , which layers flavor beneath the cheese. Stir frequently to prevent sticking, and watch for the moment the edges become translucent, that is your cue to proceed. A common mistake is cranking the heat, which rushes the process and may brown the vegetables, creating sharper flavors that compete with the intended mellow base.
  • Add flour, salt and pepper to the pot and stir until smooth.: When you sprinkle in the flour , it should combine into the butter and vegetable mix forming a glossy, slightly thick paste. This step is crucial because it cooks out the raw flour taste and forms the thickening foundation. Keep stirring for a minute so the roux cooks through but does not darken, and note the texture shift from wet vegetables to a cohesive base. If you see lumps, take a moment to break them up now, because once liquid is added it is harder to remedy. One pitfall is undercooking the flour, which leaves a pasty or raw flavor in the finished soup.
  • Add chicken broth, milk and potatoes and set heat to high until it comes to a boil, then cover and cook on low until potatoes are soft, about 10-15 minutes.: As the broth and milk hit the roux, they will thin instantly then thicken as the starches swell. Bring it to a gentle boil so you can see rolling bubbles, then reduce heat and cover to simmer. The steam trapped under the lid helps the diced potatoes cook through tenderly. You will notice the aroma deepen and the liquid begin to look more substantial, a sign the starches are doing their job. Avoid leaving the pot boiling vigorously, which can separate the dairy and make the texture grainy. If the potatoes are still hard after the time, give them a few more minutes, because undercooked potato will ruin the smooth finish.
  • Add broccoli florets, Parmesan cheese, and stir well. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Cook uncovered until broccoli is cooked, about 5 minutes.: When you add the broccoli and Parmesan , the soup's smell brightens and you will see vivid green pieces floating in the creamy base. Stirring helps the cheese dissolve and coats the broccoli evenly. Leave the pot uncovered to allow some steam to escape; this concentrates flavor and prevents the soup from becoming too watery. Watch the broccoli color shift to a deep, bright green and test a piece for tenderness. Overcooking will turn it mushy and dull the color, while undercooking leaves it crunchy. Season gradually, tasting so you do not overdo the salt .
  • Add cheddar and American cheese, stir well and remove from heat.: As you fold in the cheddar and the sliced cheese, watch the strings of melted cheese ribbon through the soup and the surface gain a glossy sheen. Removing from heat before adding cheese helps prevent scorching and separation, giving you a smooth, cohesive texture. Stir patiently until the cheese fully integrates, and pause to notice the aroma change as savory, dairy notes become prominent. A frequent error is adding cheese to a pot that is too hot, which causes an oily separation, so cool slightly then stir until silky.
  • Using an immersion blender quickly blend part of the soup for a quick second or two. If you don't have an immersion blender, remove about 1-2 cups of potatoes and broccoli, place it in your chopper, then add it back to the soup. This helps thicken it a bit.: Blending a portion of the soup adds silkiness while keeping body in the remaining chunks, creating a satisfying contrast. The sound will be a quick whirl, and the color will become uniformly paler where blended. If using a bowl chopper, remove about one to two cups first, blend, then return it to the pot. This action thickens the base naturally with potato and broccoli starches and helps the soup cling to the spoon. Avoid over blending which can make the texture gummy, and do not run the blender continuously without pauses, as heat buildup can create a scorched smell.

Notes

  • Start with even chops to ensure that the onion, carrot, and celery cook uniformly, which builds a balanced base without surprises in texture.
  • Control the heat while sautéing so the vegetables soften without browning, encouraging sweet aromatic flavors rather than bitter notes.
  • Cook the roux briefly after adding the flour to remove raw taste, stirring until the mixture looks glossy and integrates with the fat.
  • Use less sodium broth so you can season precisely at the end, preventing an overly salty result that is difficult to fix.
  • Blend only part of the soup to keep a pleasing contrast between silky body and tender vegetable pieces, avoiding an overly smooth puree.
  • Add cheese off heat or with the pot briefly removed from direct heat to prevent separation and to maintain a velvety texture.
Keyword broccoli cheese soup, comforting broccoli soup, creamy potato soup, easy weeknight soup