This Broccoli Cheddar soup is a family favorite. We have a favorite Italian restaurant locally that serves it only on Fridays and Saturdays. You are sure to find us there, each with a large bowl. Learning how to make this delicious soup in the Instant Pot was an obvious choice. It is quick and easy, and I knew my husband and kids would give it a double thumbs up.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our broccoli cheddar soup, you need the following ingredients:
Instant Pot Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Chicken broth
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Nutmeg
- Heavy cream
- Cheddar cheese
- Hot sauce
Slow Cooker Ingredients
- Butter
- Flour
- Whole milk
- onion
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Instant Pot Instructions
- Press the Saute button. Heat oil and add onion. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, broccoli, carrots, and nutmeg.
- Press the Cancel/Keep Warm button. Lock lid into place and turn knob to sealing.
- Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button. Set cook time for 4 minutes.
- Do a quick release and stir in cream.
- Press the Saute button again, but do not bring to boil.
- Stir in cheese and hot sauce.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour until thickened.
- Gradually whisk in milk until thick and creamy.
- Place onion, broccoli, garlic, Italian seasoning and cream cheese to slow cooker.
- Add creamy sauce from saucepan and chicken broth; stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
- Before serving, mix in cheddar cheese, salt and pepper.
- Stir until cheese melts completely.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
If you do not have an Instant Pot or slow cooker, you can make this soup on the stovetop. Follow the same instructions as the Instant pot, but let it simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. The broccoli should become very soft and break into small parts easily.
To avoid lumpy cheese, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself. It adds one more step, but I have found that store bought shredded cheese tends to get lumpy.
Explore More Delicious Soup Recipes
Explore our collection of soup recipes made in the stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot. For more soup inspiration, check out our full list of soups.
- Acorn Squash Soup
- Black Bean Taco Soup
- Easy Cabbage Soup
- Lentil Soup
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Three Cheese Broccoli Soup
- Wild Rice Soup

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Instant Pot Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups broccoli, chopped
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
Slow Cooker Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 5 tbsp flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- ½ onion , diced
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese, whipped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Equipment
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Press the Saute button. Heat oil and add onion. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, broccoli, carrots, and nutmeg.
- Press the Cancel/Keep Warm button. Lock lid into place and turn knob to sealing.
- Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button. Set cook time for 4 minutes.
- Do a quick release and stir in cream.
- Press the Saute button again, but do not bring to boil.
- Stir in cheese and hot sauce.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour until thickened.
- Gradually whisk in milk until thick and creamy.
- Place onion, broccoli, garlic, Italian seasoning and cream cheese to slow cooker.
- Add creamy sauce from saucepan and chicken broth; stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
- Before serving, mix in cheddar cheese, salt and pepper.
- Stir until cheese melts completely.
- Serve warm.



















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