Description
Comforting crockpot potato broccoli cheddar soup melts hearts with its creamy, cheesy embrace from classic American kitchens. Rich ingredients simmer slowly, promising a warm welcome that satisfies winter hunger and brings smiles to hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk for a lighter version)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sauteing)
Instructions
- Caramelize onions and garlic in a skillet with olive oil, releasing their aromatic essence and developing a rich foundational flavor for the soup.
- Transfer the fragrant aromatics to the crockpot and combine with robust ingredients: chunky potato cubes, vibrant broccoli florets, savory chicken broth, and a harmonious blend of seasonings.
- Allow the crockpot to work its magic, slow-cooking the ingredients on low heat for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours until potatoes become tender and break down easily.
- Transform the soup’s texture by using an immersion blender to create a velvety consistency, selecting between a silky smooth or slightly rustic blend based on personal preference.
- Introduce creamy richness by incorporating shredded cheddar cheese and luxurious heavy cream, stirring gently to ensure smooth integration and allowing the cheese to melt completely.
- Fine-tune the flavor profile by tasting and adjusting seasonings, ensuring a perfectly balanced and nuanced soup experience.
- Elevate the presentation by garnishing with additional sharp cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, adding visual appeal and an extra layer of flavor complexity.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by caramelizing onions slightly longer for deeper, richer taste profile.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère or smoked cheddar for unique flavor variations.
- For gluten-free version, ensure chicken broth is gluten-free and skip flour-based thickeners.
- Reduce calories by substituting heavy cream with lower-fat alternatives like milk or Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 80mg