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Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Cream Cheese

Crockpot broccoli cheddar soup with cream cheese combines slow-cooked broccoli with a smooth, rich cheese base. Pureeing about half the soup keeps plenty of tender broccoli pieces in every bowl.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 7 minutes
standing 5 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 27 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 yellow onion small, diced
  • 1 carrot medium, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker
  • 1 2-quart saucepan
  • 1 immersion blender

Method
 

  1. Add the broccoli, onion, carrot, garlic, broth, salt, and pepper to a 6-quart slow cooker and stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the broccoli is very tender.
  3. Use an immersion blender to puree about half of the soup, leaving plenty of broccoli pieces intact.
  4. In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, whisk in the flour, and cook for 1–2 minutes.
  5. Gradually whisk in the half-and-half and cook for 3–5 minutes, until thickened.
  6. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until smooth.
  7. Turn off the slow cooker and stir in the cream cheese mixture.
  8. Add the cheddar in handfuls, stirring until melted; do not boil after adding the cheese.
  9. Let the soup stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the smoothest cheese base, whisk the cream cheese into the warm half-and-half mixture until smooth, and do not boil the soup after adding cheese. Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days; freezing is not recommended because the dairy may separate. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth.