Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This cozy Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Soup brings together the smoky goodness of bacon, tender broccoli, and rich, creamy cheddar in every spoonful. Perfect for chilly evenings, this soup is quick and easy to make, delivering restaurant-quality flavor right at home!
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 230kcal
Ingredients
- ½ pound Bacon
- 1 head Broccoli
- 1 cup Carrots chopped
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Half and Half
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup Onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon Garlic minced
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon – Start by cooking the bacon in a large pot or Instant Pot over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Sauté the Vegetables – In the same pot, add butter, then sauté the chopped onions and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add the Flour – Sprinkle flour over the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
- Add Broth and milk- Gradually whisk in the cups of chicken stock and milk.
- Simmer - Add broccoli and carrots and bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add half and half and Cheese – Slowly pour in the half-and-half, stirring constantly to keep the soup creamy and smooth. Gradually add the shredded cheddar, stirring until it melts completely into the soup.
- Season – Add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add more broth or milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Top with Bacon – Chop up the cooked bacon and sprinkle it on top of the soup before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Grate Your Cheese Fresh – Pre-shredded cheese can be waxy and doesn’t melt as well, so freshly grated cheese is best.
- Cook Bacon Separately – Cooking the bacon first lets you control the texture and ensures it stays crispy when added at the end.
- Don’t Overcook the Broccoli – For best flavor and texture, avoid overcooking the broccoli; it should be tender but not mushy.
- Adjust Thickness – If you like a thinner soup, add more broth. For a thicker soup, simmer a bit longer or add extra cheese.
- Season Gradually – Add salt and pepper in stages, especially after adding cheese, to avoid over-salting.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 11.2g | Fat: 16.2g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 2.5g | Iron: 1mg
