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Easy Crockpot Cheddar Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl

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This creamy, cheesy crockpot cheddar broccoli soup is served in a bread bowl and is the perfect weeknight comfort food. With just 10 minutes of prep, the slow cooker does all the work, creating a velvety soup that even self-proclaimed broccoli haters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (16 oz) bag frozen broccoli florets
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup whole milk (or 2%)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 4 large round sourdough bread bowls

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape into the crockpot.
  2. Add broth and seasonings: Pour chicken broth into the crockpot. Add salt, pepper, paprika, and ground mustard. Stir to combine.
  3. Add broccoli: Dump frozen broccoli florets into the crockpot (no need to thaw).
  4. Cook on low: Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until broccoli is tender.
  5. Add cream cheese and milk: Cut softened cream cheese into cubes and add to crockpot along with whole milk. Stir until cream cheese begins to melt.
  6. Blend the soup: Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches in a regular blender, being careful with hot liquid.
  7. Stir in cheddar cheese: With blender off, add shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until each addition is fully melted. Use residual heat or turn crockpot to warm.
  8. Prepare bread bowls: Cut tops off sourdough loaves and hollow out insides, leaving a ½-inch thick shell. Save tops and pulled-out bread for dipping.
  9. Serve immediately: Ladle hot soup into bread bowls. Garnish with extra cheddar, black pepper, or fresh chives if desired.

Notes

For best results, grate your own cheddar cheese from a block to avoid anti-caking agents that cause graininess. Add cheese off the heat to prevent clumping. The soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. For a gluten-free version, serve in a regular bowl.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot cheddar broccoli soup, broccoli cheese soup, slow cooker soup, bread bowl soup, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, vegetarian option

Find it online: https://evabake.com/easy-crockpot-cheddar-broccoli-soup-in-a-bread-bowl/