Cheesy and creamy, this Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is so quick and easy. Get a hearty soup packed with veggies on the table in under an hour!
I’m deadly serious: this recipe might even rival Panera’s broccoli cheese soup!
Trust me. It’s super thick, creamy, cheesy, and so quick to pull together for a delicious, nutritious, and filling weeknight meal. That is why I love the Instant Pot. You can make amazing soup in SUCH a short amount of time, and this soup is no different.
I love a good one-bowl meal that will warm up my body (and soul) on a chilly day, and this soup does exactly that! And if you want to make this in a regular pot on the stove, you absolutely can. Simply simmer the veggies until they are soft, then add the cornstarch and water, lots of cheese, and enjoy.
Is Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Healthy?
Broccoli, the main ingredient in this soup, is considered to be a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with vitamins – including vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate – which play crucial roles in various bodily functions, such as immune health, bone health, and cell growth. It’s also low in calories and high in fiber, which helps with digestion and feeling full between meals.
However, this recipe can’t exactly be called the most healthy soup on earth. Butter is high in saturated fat and whipping cream is very high in saturated fat and calories. To make this recipe healthier, try replacing the butter with olive oil, and reduce the amount of whipping cream or use a lower-fat alternative like milk or half-and-half.
A few tips for the perfect broccoli cheddar soup
Chop the veggies small: I love to dice up everything really small as it allows the vegetables to cook evenly! They also blend seamlessly into the soup this way, so you don’t get a bite of onion halfway through a spoonful.
Purée for a thick soup: If you’ve found that the soup is too runny for you, the easiest thing to do is to simply purée the soup! You can either purée a portion of it to help the chunky soup thicken up, or you can purée the whole soup if you prefer it to be perfectly smooth. Just purée the soup ingredients before adding the cheese and cream.
Sauté for a while: The longer you allow the onions and garlic to cook, the more intense their flavor will be! I love cooking my onions until they are beautifully golden brown. However, make sure they don’t burn.
How to make ahead and store
To store, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or jar. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat from the freezer, transfer the soup to a saucepan and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, for both defrosted soup or soup chilled in the refrigerator, just reheat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Although a hot bowl of this broccoli cheese soup is satisfying all on its own, I recommend serving it with your favorite sandwich. I suggest a fresh Cottage Cheese Sandwich or a crispy Grilled Cheese Hummus Sandwich, as they’re both perfect for dunking. And speaking of dunking, you can never go wrong with some Garlic Toast on the side!
Ingredients
- 1 cup onion diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 4 cups broccoli cut into small florets
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup carrot diced
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 cups (8oz) sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 2 cups whipping cream
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the butter in the Instant Pot on 'Sauté' mode. Add in the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add in the broccoli, chicken broth and carrot.
- Cover and set to 'Sealing'. Cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Do an instant steam release.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of warm water.
- While stirring constantly, whisk the mixture back into the soup. Turn to 'Sauté' mode and cook until thickened, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and stir in the cheese a little bit at a time until fully melted.
- Stir in the cream and season to taste with salt
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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