Description
A comforting and hearty Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup that combines tender potatoes, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheddar cheese in a flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy meals, this soup is slow-cooked to develop deep flavors and finished with a creamy blend of cheese and steamed broccoli for added texture and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups diced Russet potatoes
- 1 container (32 ounces) chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups freshly steamed broccoli florets
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crumbled bacon pieces
- Sliced green onion
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large stock pot. Add the diced white onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and diced potatoes, stirring and cooking for about 20 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker and Add Ingredients: Carefully pour the sautéed mixture into a large 7-quart slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, shredded carrots, salt, pepper, paprika, and ground mustard. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Soup: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours. The soup is ready when the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Blend Soup: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or blend partially if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Add Cream, Cheese, and Broccoli: Pour in the heavy cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and freshly steamed broccoli florets. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Heat Final Mixture: Cover the slow cooker again and allow the soup to heat for an additional 20 minutes to melt the cheese and warm the broccoli evenly.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls and serve warm, topped with optional shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, or sour cream as desired. Enjoy your comforting meal!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Steaming broccoli before adding ensures it remains bright green and tender.
- Be careful blending the soup; partially blending keeps a pleasant texture.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after blending if needed.
- To make the soup spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with paprika.
- Use a slow cooker with at least a 7-quart capacity to avoid overflow during cooking.
