Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup is the perfect comfort food that combines rich, creamy cheese with healthy broccoli, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. This recipe delivers a hearty and filling dish with minimal effort, making it the ideal meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. If you’re craving a warm, cheesy bowl of soup, this easy recipe will quickly become a family favorite. It’s the perfect combination of flavor and convenience, especially when you let your crockpot do all the work!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
This Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup is a dream come true for anyone looking for a quick, healthy, and indulgent meal. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with the goodness of fresh broccoli, making it an ideal balance of comfort and nutrition. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can let the slow cooker work its magic, allowing you to come home to a delicious, ready-to-serve meal. This recipe is not only easy but also customizable, ensuring it fits any dietary preference.
Ingredients
- Broccoli: Adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, giving the soup a fresh, healthy base.
- Butter: Provides richness and enhances the flavor of the soup.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Offers that irresistible cheesy flavor, making the soup rich and creamy.
- Onion: Adds depth and savory flavor to the soup.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the soup with a subtle, aromatic garlic kick.
- Celery: Provides crunch and a slight earthiness, balancing the creaminess.
- Chicken Broth: Acts as the base liquid, contributing a savory undertone.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a smooth, velvety texture that makes the soup extra creamy.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the soup, ensuring a perfect consistency.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the flavors of all the ingredients.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking to make this Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup even more adaptable to your preferences or available ingredients, here are some options:
- Vegetable Broth: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Half-and-Half: Use half-and-half instead of heavy whipping cream for a lighter soup without sacrificing too much creaminess.
- Frozen Broccoli: If fresh broccoli isn’t available, you can use frozen broccoli, though it’s important to let it thaw first.
- Evaporated Milk: If you’re out of heavy cream, evaporated milk can be a great substitute for a slightly lighter, but still creamy, consistency.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Start by cutting the broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces to ensure it cooks evenly and becomes tender in the slow cooker.
- Combine Vegetables and Butter: Place the chopped broccoli, diced onion, diced celery, minced garlic, and butter into the crockpot.
- Mix Broth and Cornstarch: In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth with the cornstarch until it’s fully dissolved. Pour this mixture into the crockpot and stir well.
- Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook the soup on low for 4-6 hours. The broccoli should become tender, and the flavors should meld together.
- Add Cream and Cheese: After the cooking time, stir in the heavy cream and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Replace the lid and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes until the cheese has fully melted.
- Final Stir and Serve: Once the cheese has melted and everything is well-combined, give the soup a good stir and serve. Enjoy this deliciously creamy Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup!

Tips & Tricks
- Prevent Soup Separation: To avoid separation of the cheese and cream, add them only towards the end of the cooking process. This ensures a smooth, creamy texture.
- Thicker Soup: If your soup isn’t as thick as you’d like, make an additional cornstarch slurry (mixing cornstarch and water or broth) and add it to the soup. This will give it a richer consistency.
- Hand-Shred Your Cheese: For the best texture, shred your cheese by hand rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that prevent it from melting smoothly.
- Storing Leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When reheating, you may need to add more broth to return the soup to its desired consistency as it thickens while sitting.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides and variations. For a complete meal, try pairing it with:
- Crusty Bread: A loaf of French bread or garlic bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy soup.
- Dinner Rolls: Soft and buttery rolls make a fantastic accompaniment to this rich soup.
- Salads: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the creamy richness of the soup.
If you’re looking to shake things up, consider adding thinly sliced carrots to the soup for added flavor and texture, or make it a spicy version by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You can even serve it in a bread bowl for a fun twist!
Seasonal Variations
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup is a fantastic dish for cooler months, making it ideal for fall and winter. The combination of warm, cheesy soup and tender vegetables is the perfect comfort food when the temperatures drop. Additionally, if you’re hosting a holiday meal or a cozy dinner party, this soup can be easily made ahead of time and served as a hearty starter or side dish.
Conclusion
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup is the ultimate comfort food that brings together the creamy richness of cheese and the wholesome goodness of broccoli. With minimal preparation and the convenience of the slow cooker, this recipe is perfect for busy nights when you still want a hearty, satisfying meal. Whether you’re serving it as a family dinner, a comforting lunch, or an appetizer for your next gathering, this soup will always hit the spot. It’s delicious, nutritious, and incredibly easy to make—what’s not to love? Try it today and enjoy the perfect blend of flavors in every spoonful!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use frozen broccoli for this Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. However, it’s recommended to let it thaw before adding it to the slow cooker to ensure it cooks evenly. While fresh broccoli tends to have a slightly firmer texture, frozen broccoli will still work perfectly in this soup.
2. Can I substitute the heavy cream in the recipe?
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or even evaporated milk for a lighter version of the soup. While these alternatives won’t give the same rich, velvety texture, they will still provide a creamy consistency.
3. How can I make the soup thicker?
If the soup isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can make an additional cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water or broth (using a 1:2 ratio) and stirring it into the soup. Allow it to cook for another 10-15 minutes to achieve a thicker consistency.
4. Can I make Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup is great for making ahead of time. You can prepare it a day before and store it in the fridge. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave, and if it has thickened too much, just add a bit more broth to loosen it up.
More Relevant Recipes
- Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Recipe: This creamy pumpkin gnocchi combines the comforting flavors of pumpkin with tender gnocchi in a rich, velvety sauce. Perfect for those who love fall-inspired dishes with a touch of decadence, much like the Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup.
- Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings – Easy Comfort Food: Another cozy crockpot recipe, this chicken and dumplings dish is hearty, creamy, and comforting, with a similar ease of preparation as the Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup, making it perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup: A perfect fall soup featuring the sweet, earthy flavors of butternut squash and sweet potatoes, this recipe offers a comforting, creamy texture similar to the Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup but with a sweet twist.

Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Total Time: 6 hours 46 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup is a rich and creamy comfort food that combines tender broccoli with sharp cheddar cheese, cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. It’s the perfect dish for busy weeknights or chilly days when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli, diced small
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup celery, diced small
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli into small bite-size pieces and place them in the crockpot with the butter, diced onion, diced celery, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Mix the chicken broth with the cornstarch and stir it into the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, until the broccoli is tender.
- Once the broccoli is tender, stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, until the cheese has melted completely.
- Give the soup a good stir before serving and enjoy!
Notes
- To prevent the cheese and cream from separating, add them towards the end of the cooking time.
- If the soup is too thick, add extra chicken broth when reheating.
- For a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender before adding the cream and cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Add more broth when reheating.
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1498mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 143mg