There’s just something about a big bowl of soup that feels like a hug from the inside. And broccoli cheddar? Oh man, it’s like the ultimate comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and secretly loaded with veggies—it checks all the boxes. Add some homemade cheddar crisps on top and suddenly you’re not just eating soup, you’re living your best cozy-day fantasy.
🥣 Recipe Card: Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Cheddar Cheese Crisps
Serves: 4–6
Time: About 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ tbsp red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 potato (any kind), peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 2 heads of broccoli (florets + peeled stalks), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cups water
- 10 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided)
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Directions
- Start the base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the onion and garlic, cooking until they’re soft and smell amazing—about 5 minutes.
- Add spice + potato: Stir in the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Drop in the potato chunks and give them a good stir.
- Broccoli time: Add broccoli pieces and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until everything is fork-tender (around 20 minutes).
- Blend it up: Use an immersion blender right in the pot (or carefully transfer to a blender). Blend until smooth but still a bit textured.
- Cheese magic: Stir in about 8 oz of cheddar until melted and silky. Mix in the sour cream (or yogurt) for that creamy tang. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Make the crisps: Heat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Drop little piles of the remaining cheddar (2 oz) onto the sheet, spacing them out. Bake until bubbly and golden—about 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool until crisp.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with cheddar crisps, and maybe an extra sprinkle of black pepper.
🤔 FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Totally! Just toss it in straight from the freezer—no need to thaw. It cooks down beautifully.
What if I don’t have sour cream or Greek yogurt?
A splash of heavy cream or even plain milk works. It won’t have the same tang, but hey, it’ll still be tasty.
Can this be made ahead?
Yep. Soup keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat gently so the cheese doesn’t separate.
Do I need the crisps?
Need? No. Want? Absolutely. They add crunch and that salty-cheesy bite that makes the soup next-level.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Cheddar Cheese Crisps
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy, creamy broccoli cheddar soup made from scratch with fresh veggies and a cheesy finish. Perfect for chilly days or an easy comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ tbsp red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 potato (any kind), peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 2 heads of broccoli (florets and peeled stalks), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cups water
- 10 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided)
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add the diced potato and broccoli, then pour in the water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are very tender, about 15–20 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender (or regular blender in batches), puree the soup until smooth.
- Stir in most of the grated cheddar, reserving some for garnish, and mix until melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- Serve hot, garnished with the remaining cheddar.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a dash of nutmeg or a splash of cream at the end. Serve with crusty bread for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: broccoli, cheddar, soup, vegetarian, comfort food
Wrap-Up
So there you go—broccoli cheddar soup that’s creamy without being heavy, cheesy without being overwhelming, and finished off with those crispy little cheddar toppers that are way too easy to snack on. Honestly, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll want in your back pocket for rainy nights, lazy Sundays, or any time you need a bowl of comfort that doesn’t take all day to whip up.
(And, just saying—if you pair it with some crusty bread, you might never want to leave the house again.)