Print

Best Easy Crockpot Cheddar Broccoli Soup with Bacon

crockpot cheddar broccoli soup with bacon - featured image
Print Recipe

This creamy, cheesy crockpot cheddar broccoli soup with crispy bacon is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. The slow cooker does all the work, and the secret ingredient—cream cheese—ensures a silky smooth texture every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets (about 1 large head or a 12-ounce bag of frozen; no need to thaw)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth works too)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half works in a pinch)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use a gluten-free blend if needed)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon (about 6 ounces)
  • Optional toppings: extra shredded cheddar, chopped chives, a dollop of sour cream

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place the bacon slices in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble or chop into small pieces. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet with the reserved bacon drippings, add the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute—this cooks out the raw flour taste.
  3. Build the base: Slowly pour in about 1 cup of the chicken broth while stirring, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This is called deglazing, and it adds so much flavor. Pour this entire mixture into the crockpot.
  4. Add remaining ingredients: Add the remaining 3 cups of chicken broth, the broccoli florets, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the crockpot. Stir everything together. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the broccoli is tender when pierced with a fork.
  5. Add the cream cheese: Once the broccoli is tender, add the cubed cream cheese to the crockpot. Stir gently until it melts into the soup, about 2-3 minutes. The soup will look slightly thinner at this point—don’t worry, it will thicken up.
  6. Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, only blend about half of it. For a regular blender, work in batches and vent the lid slightly to release steam.
  7. Add the cheeses: With the crockpot turned to WARM or LOW, gradually add the shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly after each addition. This slow incorporation prevents the cheese from clumping. Stir until completely melted and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Finish with cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The soup will thicken slightly as it sits.
  9. Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of chives if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread or crackers.

Notes

For the best texture, shred your own cheddar cheese from a block—pre-shredded bags contain anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy. Always add cheese on LOW or WARM heat to prevent clumping. If the soup is too thin, let it cook uncovered on LOW for 15-20 minutes to reduce. Store soup and bacon separately to keep bacon crispy. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot cheddar broccoli soup, broccoli cheese soup, slow cooker soup, bacon broccoli soup, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/best-easy-crockpot-cheddar-broccoli-soup-with-bacon/