Crock Pot Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup is creamy, comforting, and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients 🥔🥦🧀 Perfect for busy days when you want a warm, hearty meal.
Crock Pot Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (Russet or Yukon Gold)
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour (optional, for thicker soup)
Instructions
1. Add to the crock pot
- Add potatoes, broccoli, onion, garlic, broth, salt, pepper, and paprika to the slow cooker.
- Stir gently to combine.
2. Cook
- Cover and cook:
- LOW for 6–7 hours or
- HIGH for 3–4 hours
until potatoes and broccoli are tender.
3. Thicken (optional)
- If you want a thicker soup, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water.
- Stir into the soup and cook an additional 15–20 minutes on HIGH.
4. Make it creamy
- Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup (leave some chunks).
- Or mash potatoes with a fork for a rustic texture.
5. Add dairy
- Stir in butter, cream, and cheddar cheese.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
Tips for Best Results
- Shred cheese yourself for smoother melting.
- Add dairy at the end to prevent curdling.
- For extra richness, use cream cheese (½ block) instead of some cream.
Variations
- Extra cheesy: Add more cheddar or mix in Monterey Jack.
- Bacon broccoli cheddar: Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon.
- Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth.
- Healthier: Replace cream with milk or evaporated milk.
- Spicy: Add cayenne or red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty bread or garlic toast
- Side salad
- Topped with:
- Extra cheese
- Green onions
- Bacon bits
- Sour cream
If you’d like, I can also share a dump-and-go version, no-cream version, or a Panera-style copycat 🍲😊
