In my house only one soup reigns supreme and that’s this one pot broccoli cheddar soup.

It started with my creation of a copy cat version of Panera broccoli cheddar soup that has evolved over time. I originally posted a (very) similar soup ages ago, but over the last 5 years I’ve changed it a bit, simplified and amplified to fit my life a little better. For example my broccoli cheddar soup now feeds 6 (1 cup) servings and is made in one glorious pot. No more steaming broccoli and all that extra pan business… consider this one pot broccoli cheddar soup your bff for those busy weeknights.

It still has the same fresh broccoli, creamy decadence and sharp cheddar cheese flavor. It’s just so much better.

This soup is not hard by any stretch of the word, but one way to speed things along is to prep the veggies and measure everything out before starting. Getting all your ingredients prepped and ready to go will save you a ton of time.

As far as the broccoli goes, I have come to find that 10 to 11 ounces broccoli florets (once trimmed off the stem and cut into small pieces) is the perfect amount for this soup. Roughly that’s 2 good size heads of broccoli.

Heat a large 6-quart dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add butter and saute the carrots, onions and the broccoli florets together. I toss the vegetables around in the butter and sprinkle in a pinch of kosher salt. Then I cover and let them cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes.

Once the vegetables are tender, add in the 1/3 cup of flour and stir, cooking for about 2 minutes.

Then I add in the broth and half and half (whole milk works too!). Once it comes to a small bubble, I reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, with the lid askew for about 20 to 25 minutes or until thickened.

This has bee my trick to breaking up the broccoli since day uno. I just pull out the potato masher and go. to. work. This will also help thicken up the soup. Then I taste test (best part ever!) and season with salt, black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg.

The nutmeg adds this distinct yet subtle flavor. It’s not like you’ll really notice it… but it does give this soup that somethin-somethin.

Lastly I add in about 6 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese. Good quality, grate from the block, cheese. The bagged, pre-shredded stuff is coated in a non-caking or sticking powder (ack!) which will keep the cheese from melting into the soup like it should. Trust me.

That’s it! One pot broccoli cheddar soup for the win!

I ladle it into bowls, top with a tablespoon or so of the remaining cheddar cheese and I always, ALWAYS serve our broccoli cheddar soup with toasted hot ham and cheese sandwiches and oyster crackers for Pat.

Broccoli and cheddar soup is a classic, my daughter Haileigh’s favorite and now can me made in one pot. SO EASY YOU GUYS! I hop you try it. (:

Happy Halloween and enjoy!

My cookbook Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy is now available! CLICK HERE for details and THANK YOU in advance! 

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Yield: 6 (1 cup) servings

One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

In my house only one soup reigns supreme at that's this one pot broccoli cheddar soup. Fresh broccoli, creamy luscious broth with sharp cheddar cheese.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup diced yellow onion (about 1 small)
• 1/2 cup diced carrot (about 1 large)
• 10 to 11 ounces broccoli florets (weight is based on trimmed florets only)
• kosher salt
• 1/3 cup unbleached all purpose flour
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups half and half or whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated (not bagged, pre-shredded)

Instructions

Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and add in all of the butter.

Once the butter has melted, add in the onions, carrots and broccoli. Toss to coat in the butter and add in a pinch of salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.

Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat, continue to cook for 2 minutes before pouring in the broth and half and half. With the lid askew, bring the soup to a bubble, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the soup has thickened, stirring occasionally.

Use a potato masher to smash the broccoli into smaller pieces. Alternatively, at this stage you could pour the soup into your blender and puree until smooth, if desired.

Season the soup with nutmeg, salt (for me it is 1-1/2 teaspoons) and the black pepper.

Stir 6 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese into the soup before ladling soup into bowls. Top with more shredded cheddar and serve.

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  Lodge EC7OD13 Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven, 7-Quart, Oyster White