Hello Everyone! I am so stoked to finally drop this list because finding the right balance between health and cost is a whole mood. I’ve spent literal days scouring the web for these gems and testing out which ones actually fill you up without draining your wallet, so you dont have to do the legwork. Making food at home is basically the fast track to financial freedom, and honestly, a hot bowl of soup is the best way to handle a cold Tuesday night.
Tips to consider
- Block Cheese is King: Never buy the pre-shredded stuff because it has that weird powder that ruins the melt.
- Save the Stalks: Most people toss them, but if you peel the woody skin, the inside is pure gold for flavor.
- Mind the Heat: If you boil it too hard after adding the dairy, it’s gonna curdle, and nobody wants that.
- Texture Choice: Use an immersion blender if you want it smooth, or keep it chunky for more of a “bite.”
Super Simple Broccoli Cheese Soup — Southern Bite
Frozen florets are used in this version to make things way easier for you. You should grab this recipe when the day has been a total disaster and you need food on the table in twenty minutes. It’s simple, its reliable, and your kids won’t even complain about the greens.
- Unsalted butter
- Yellow onion
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken broth
- Half and half
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Frozen broccoli florets
- Sharp cheddar cheese
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: southernbite.com
Basic + Awesome Broccoli Cheese Soup — Pinch of Yum
A deeper color is achieved here thanks to the carrots and a sprinkle of paprika. I think this is the best choice for a lazy Sunday when you want the house to smell amazing while you prep for the week. The flavor profile is kept sophisticated but remains totally approachable for a novice cook.
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Half and half
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Broccoli stems & florets
- Carrot
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Extra-sharp cheddar cheese
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: pinchofyum.com
Broccoli Cheese Soup — TasteBetterFromScratch
Grated potatoes are utilized as a natural thickener in this specific bowl. You should choose this one when your starving and need something that actually sticks to your ribs. It feels more like a main course than a side dish, which is great for saving money on extra groceries.
- Vegetable broth
- Carrot
- Celery
- Grated potatoes
- Broccoli
- Yellow onion
- Butter
- Flour
- Half and half
- Whole milk
- Salt & pepper
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: tastesbetterfromscratch.com
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup — Spoon Fork Bacon
The chicken stock and whole milk are balanced perfectly to keep this from feeling like a bowl of lead. I think its the right choice for a light dinner alongside a crusty piece of sourdough. Its elegant, smooth, and the steps are very easy to follow.
- Unsalted butter
- Onion
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken stock
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Whole milk
- Shredded cheddar
- Salt & pepper
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: spoonforkbacon.com
Broccoli Cheddar Soup — BudgetBytes (Alternate Version)
Low-cost ingredients are prioritized by the author to keep your grocery bill under control. This is the version you want if your trying to feed a family for pennies. It doesn’t use anything fancy, just solid staples that get the job done right.
- Butter
- Onion
- Flour
- Broth
- Milk
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cheddar cheese
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: budgetbytes.com
Serious Eats Broccoli Cheese Soup (Kenji’s Food Lab)
The science of the perfect melt is mastered by Kenji in this technical masterpiece. You add mustard powder and American cheese to keep the texture from breaking. Choose this if you want to geek out on why your soup is so much better than your neighbors.
- Broccoli
- Vegetable oil
- Butter
- Onion
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Water or chicken stock
- Whole milk
- Potato
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- American cheese
- Mustard powder
- Hot sauce (optional)
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: seriouseats.com
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup — Damn Delicious
Heavy cream is heavily relied upon to give you that iconic cafe flavor. If you find yourself spending alot of money at the mall food court, make this instead. It’s an indulgence that pays off by keeping your coffee-run budget intact.
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic
- Onion
- Celery
- Flour
- Vegetable broth
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Broccoli florets
- Carrot
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: damndelicious.net
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup — HomemadeHome
Your dinner is slowly simmered all day while you handle your business elsewhere. You’ll love coming home to a house that smells like a dream. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal for anyone with a packed schedule.
- Onion
- Butter
- Flour
- Half and half
- Chicken stock
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Velveeta or cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: homemadehome.com
Skinnytaste Lightened Broccoli Cheddar (Variation)
Fresh veggies are packed into this bowl to keep the calorie count down without losing the vibe. You choose this when your feeling like a health goddess but still want the comfort of melted cheese. It proves that you dont have to suffer to eat well.
- Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Garlic
- Butter
- Flour
- Broth
- Milk
- Broccoli
- Cheddar
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: skinnytaste.com
Panera Copycat (Allrecipes community favorite)
A traditional roux is built at the start to ensure the thickness is exactly right. Thousands of people have saved this recipe because it just works every single time. It’s the safe bet for a potluck or a family reunion where you need to please everyone.
- Chicken stock
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Broccoli
- Milk
- Sharp cheddar
- Roux (butter & flour)
- Spices
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: allrecipes.com
Bon Appétit Broccoli Cheddar Soup With Cheesy Croutons
Gourmet vibes are delivered through the addition of crunchy, cheesy bread on top. This is for the nights when you want to feel fancy but stay in your pajamas. You’ll love how the texture of the crouton hits against the silky soup.
- Broccoli stalks & florets
- Potatoes
- Sharp cheddar
- Bread for croutons
- Basic aromatics & stock
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: bonappetit.com
Instant Pot / 30-Minute Broccoli Cheddar — SimplyRecipes
Speed is achieved by using the pressure cooker to break down the Russet potatoes instantly. You can go from starving to eating in a half hour. It’s high-quality flavor without the high-stress wait time.
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Onion
- Russet potato
- Vegetable broth
- Whole milk
- Sharp cheddar
- Salt & pepper
Image Credit & Full Recipe Instructions: simplyrecipes.com
The Do’s and Don’ts of Broccoli Soup
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Do use a blend of broth and milk to get that rich, savory base. | Don’t add the cheese while the soup is at a rolling boil, or it’ll separate. |
| Do sauté your onions until they are soft and translucent to avoid crunchy bits. | Don’t use only the florets; the stalks have a ton of hidden flavor. |
| Do add a tiny dash of nutmeg or mustard powder to make the cheese pop. | Don’t forget to taste as you go; seasonings change as the soup reduces. |
I hope these ideas help you stay warm and keep your bank account full. My goal is to show you that cooking at home doesn’t have to be a chore if you have the right recipes. Your going to love how much money stays in your pocket when you stop ordering takeout and start simmering these bowls instead!
