Broccoli and cheese soup is by far one of my favorite comforts of all time. This recipe does not disappoint. Pairing two creamy bold cheeses together with fresh broccoli and simple seasoning make this recipe an instant favorite.

With easy to find ingredients, this soup recipe is vegetarian.

Let’s talk about the cheese

This recipe uses two cheeses that when combined make the most delicious creamy broccoli and cheese soup.

You will want to use sharp white cheddar. I love Vermont white cheddar, to me it has a bolder crisper (for lack of a better word) cheddar flavor. For this recipe I used Cabot Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (this is not a paid sponsorship), I just know that it’s easy to get lost in the aisle of cheese at the grocery store – especially if you’re shopping while you’re hungry – so I’m trying to make it easier for you.

You will also want to get a block of Fontina cheese. During the photoshoot for this recipe I learned a very important lesson about this cheese that I will share with you to help you avoid my mistakes.

First, I will say I love fontina cheese, and I have never stumbled across this in all of my years of eating it. The morning of the shoot, I had my husband run to the store, when he got home, we both learned that Fontina cheese comes in a lot of different varieties that I didn’t even know existed, if your grocery store has a “Fancy” cheese section, consider yourself warned.

The first trip to the store, he brought back a much harder Fontina cheese that doesn’t have the same creaminess you will want for this soup. So I asked him to try again.

The second trip to the store, he brought back a block of raw milk Fontina that has a very terrible smell. I was unable to cope with the smell, I was unable to taste it. Unable to waste food, I put it in the refrigerator and asked Brad to go back to the store for a third time – he’s a patient saint. This time I sent him with a little direction and a picture of two that I usually buy.

For the record, I usually grab a plastic wrapped Fontina cheese from the deli section – Boar’s Head or BelGioioso brand (again this is not a paid sponsorship) just trying to save you a headache, money and three trips to the grocery store.

Immersion Blender/Blender

You don’t have to blend this soup, it’s perfectly delicious without this step. My only suggestion would be to cut the broccoli florets into bite-size pieces for easy eating.

My preferred way to make this broccoli and cheese soup is to blend 1/2 of the soup so you get both of best worlds. If you use a blender – you will unfortunately also chop up some of those carrot match sticks, but once you mix the blended soup back in with the other half, you will still see them.

Bread Bowls

Is there a better way to eat soup? I’m obsessed with bread bowls this fall, soft tangy bread in the same bite as creamy warm broccoli and cheese soup is to-die-for. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s a must try! Here are some simple ways to make sure you can do it right at home!

Recently (during COVID), I realized you can order empty bread bowls from Panera’s bakery – curbside (!), Whole Foods also usually carries them, but it might take an in-person grocery run. If you’re lucky, your local grocery store bakery will have them too. If you’re feeling like taking the homemade path, I’m a huge fan of Sally, she is a baking guru here is her recipe for bread bowls.

The Best Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

[ratings]

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 40

Servings:

Equipment

Immersion Blender or Blender (optional)

Ingredients

2 TBSP Butter
½ cup Diced Celery
½ cup Diced Onion
½ cup Match-Stick Carrots (or diced)
¼ tsp Salt
4 TBSP Flour
4 cups Vegetable Stock
2 cups Whole Milk
2 cups (+) Broccoli Florets About 2 small heads, do not use frozen broccoli
½ tsp Black Pepper
½ tsp Salt
1 ½ cups Shredded White Vermont Sharp Cheese
1 ½ cups Shredded Fontina Cheese

Instructions

In a dutch oven or large pot, over medium heat, add in your butter, celery, onion and carrots.
Add in ¼ tsp of salt.
Cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes.
Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat the celery, onion and carrots.
Cook for about 1 minute.
Add in the vegetable stock. Stir until the flour lumps are smooth.
Add in the milk. Stir to combine.
Over medium/medium high heat, cook until it starts to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.
Add in broccoli florets. Cover and turn the heat down to medium/medium low until the broccoli is cooked it your liking, about 5-7 minutes. Watch the pot, it can overflow if the cover is on and the heat it too high.
(Optional) use your immersion blender or blender to make your soup more smooth. I like some broccoli florets in my soup so I only blended ½ of my soup. It's up to you.
If you use a blender, make sure to only fill it about ½ way at a time, hot liquid will expand while your blend and it will pop up and out of the blender.
Turn off the heat, stir in your black pepper, salt and shredded cheeses until melted.
*turning off the heat is important, cheese will separate if it's heated too high for too long leaving your soup with a grainy texture.
Serve immediately.