This hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup is prepared using frozen broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese, onion, and carrots. This savory Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe creates a comforting dinner that takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients
- 1 lb. frozen broccoli florets
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cans cream of celery soup
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
How To Make Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Gather and Prep Ingredients: Begin by preparing your vegetables; dice one medium onion and finely dice two carrots for a uniform cooking texture.
- Combine Vegetables and Broth: In your slow cooker, combine the prepared onion and carrots with the frozen broccoli florets.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour the five cups of low-sodium chicken broth into the slow cooker and add two cans of cream of celery soup.
- Season the Soup: Sprinkle the seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper over the contents in the slow cooker, and stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Cook on High: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set the machine to cook on high for a total of four hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Puree the Cooked Soup: After four hours, use an immersion blender to puree about three-quarters of the soup directly in the slow cooker, ensuring some texture remains for interest.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Cut the Velveeta into small cubes and add these with the grated cheddar cheese to the slow cooker, stirring well before covering and setting the slow cooker to low for an additional 15 minutes.
- Stir, Taste, and Serve: Once the cheese is fully melted into the soup, give it a good stir to combine into a smooth consistency, taste for seasoning adjustments, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the Right Cheese: Opt for a block of Velveeta and shred it yourself for smoother melting and a creamier texture in your soup.
- Optimal Cooking Time: Although the recipe suggests 4 hours on high, cooking on low for 6-8 hours can deepen the flavors without much extra effort.
- Enhance the Vegetables: Roasting the broccoli and carrots before adding them to the slow cooker can add a layer of depth to the soup’s flavor profile.
- Stirring Technique: To prevent sticking, ensure you stir the soup occasionally during the last 15 minutes after adding the cheese to distribute heat evenly.
- Soup Thickness Adjustment: If the soup is thicker than you prefer, slowly stir in extra chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.
What To Serve With Broccoli Cheese Soup
Serve your hearty Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup with garlic croutons, a crisp apple celery salad, tangy sourdough bread, baked herbed potato wedges, and a refreshing cucumber dill salad for a complete meal.
You can also pair this with rosemary focaccia or a quinoa spinach salad for a touch of freshness and crunch.
How To Store Broccoli Cheese Soup
To Refrigerate: Let the soup cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days without losing its flavor or texture. Make sure to reheat it well before serving.
To Freeze: This soup can be frozen in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How To Reheat Broccoli Cheese Soup
In The Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pour the leftover soup into an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and heat for about 20 minutes or until hot throughout; stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
In The Microwave: Transfer the leftover soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute to ensure the soup heats evenly.
In The Air Fryer: Although not typical, you can reheat the soup in the air fryer by pouring it into an air fryer-safe container. Set at 300°F and heat for about 15 minutes; stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Fresh Broccoli Instead of Frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh broccoli instead of frozen for this soup. Chop the fresh broccoli into small florets and use the same cooking time as prescribed for frozen broccoli to ensure it becomes tender.
Is It Possible to Make This Soup Vegetarian?
To make this soup vegetarian, simply substitute the chicken broth with a vegetable broth. Ensure your cream of celery soup and cheeses are also suitable for vegetarians.
What Can I Do If My Soup Is Too Thin?
If your soup turns out too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water and stirring this mixture into the soup. Allow it to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on high to achieve a thicker consistency.
Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 19g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 980mg
- Potassium: 370mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g
Check out More Recipes From Pioneer Woman:
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken And Dumplings
- Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole
Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
Description
This hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup is prepared using frozen broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese, onion, and carrots. This savory Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe creates a comforting dinner that takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients
How To Make Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Gather and Prep Ingredients: Begin by preparing your vegetables; dice one medium onion and finely dice two carrots for a uniform cooking texture.
- Combine Vegetables and Broth: In your slow cooker, combine the prepared onion and carrots with the frozen broccoli florets.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour the five cups of low-sodium chicken broth into the slow cooker and add two cans of cream of celery soup.
- Season the Soup: Sprinkle the seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper over the contents in the slow cooker, and stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Cook on High: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set the machine to cook on high for a total of four hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Puree the Cooked Soup: After four hours, use an immersion blender to puree about three-quarters of the soup directly in the slow cooker, ensuring some texture remains for interest.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Cut the Velveeta into small cubes and add these with the grated cheddar cheese to the slow cooker, stirring well before covering and setting the slow cooker to low for an additional 15 minutes.
- Stir, Taste, and Serve: Once the cheese is fully melted into the soup, give it a good stir to combine into a smooth consistency, taste for seasoning adjustments, and serve warm for a comforting meal.