Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Velveeta

Ultra Creamy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Velveeta (Gluten-Free Comfort Recipe!)

If there's one thing I’ve learned as a recipe developer and someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen creating comforting dishes, it’s this: nothing beats a warm, ultra creamy bowl of homemade soup simmering away in the slow cooker. And this Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Velveeta is hands down one of the best, most delicious, foolproof meals you can make when you’re craving something comforting, cheesy, and unexpectedly simple.

As someone who writes about food every single day, I’ve tested dozens of broccoli cheddar soup variations. But this one—this creamy, gluten-free slow cooker soup—is the recipe I go back to again and again. It’s easy, it’s cozy, it’s homemade, and it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant… without the processed flour thickeners or hidden gluten.

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Why This Is the Ultimate Comfort Soup

Whether it’s chilly weather or just a night when you want something warm and satisfying, this soup checks all the boxes. What makes it so special?

• Ultra creamy texture thanks to Velveeta + cheddar
• Gluten free with basic ingredient checks
• Easy dump-and-go slow cooker method
• Healthy-ish thanks to real vegetables and a broth base
• Delicious and homemade with minimal effort
• Perfect for weekly dinner ideas
• Kids and adults both love it

Before we dive into the step-by-step recipe, I want to share a little behind-the-scenes story. When I first tested this version, I wasn’t planning to make it a blog post. It was one of those nights where I just needed something warm and satisfying, and I threw everything into my slow cooker almost absentmindedly. What came out five hours later was so creamy and comforting that I grabbed my notebook and immediately began documenting the exact measurements so I could share it with my readers. That’s how you know a recipe is worth keeping—it surprises you in the best way.

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Ingredients (Exact Measurements)

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this homemade, creamy, gluten-free Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup:

Vegetables:

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium crowns)
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Broth & Base:

• 4 cups gluten-free chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup half-and-half

Cheese:

• 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Seasoning:

• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

This ingredient list is intentionally straightforward, because when you're making comfort food, you want simplicity. The fresh vegetables bring nutrition, the cheeses bring richness, and the slow cooker brings magic.

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How to Make the Best Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Prep the Vegetables

Chop the broccoli into small florets. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the carrots. The smaller you chop the veggies, the more evenly they cook and the creamier your soup will be.

Step 2 — Add Everything to the Slow Cooker

Place the broccoli, onion, garlic, carrots, chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika into the slow cooker. No need to sauté anything—this is a true dump-and-go recipe.

Step 3 — Cook Low & Slow

Cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours. The vegetables should be extremely soft and easy to mash with a spoon.

Step 4 — Add Milk, Half-and-Half & Cheese

Once the vegetables are tender, pour in the milk and half-and-half, then add the cubed Velveeta and shredded cheddar. Stir gently and cook uncovered for an additional 20–30 minutes until everything melts into a silky, creamy base.

Step 5 — Blend for the Perfect Texture

For the classic ultra creamy broccoli cheddar consistency, use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup. I typically blend about 1/4 of the mixture for a thick but still chunky texture.

Step 6 — Serve Hot

Scoop into bowls and serve with gluten-free bread, crackers, or just a sprinkle of extra shredded cheese on top.

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⭐ My Go-To Kitchen Tools for This Recipe (Highly Recommended)

In the middle of testing and writing this recipe, I realized that the tools you use make a huge difference. These three products are ones I personally use in my kitchen—and I recommend them for making this specific recipe even easier.

1. Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker (6-Quart)

This slow cooker is the one I use for almost every recipe I create. It heats evenly, fits large batches, and has a warm-setting that keeps soup at the perfect serving temperature without overcooking it.

If you want a reliable, budget-friendly slow cooker that lasts for years, this one is absolutely worth adding to your kitchen.

2. Mueller Ultra-Stick Immersion Blender

Blending soup directly in the pot makes cleanup so much easier. This immersion blender is powerful enough to give your broccoli cheddar soup that perfect creamy texture without splattering or overheating.

For creamy soups, sauces, and smoothies, this immersion blender is a must-have.

3. OXO Good Grips Cheese Grater

Freshly grated cheddar melts way better than pre-shredded cheese. This OXO grater is sharp, comfortable to hold, and perfect for prepping cheese quickly.

Upgrade your cheese game with this grater—it makes a huge difference in soups like this!

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Is This Soup Considered Healthy?

While it does include Velveeta and cheddar, this soup still qualifies as a healthier comfort meal compared to many others. Why?

• It’s loaded with vegetables
• It uses broth as the main liquid base
• You can control the sodium
• It’s naturally gluten-free
• You can lighten it by using milk instead of cream

You can also add extra protein by stirring in cooked shredded chicken or reducing the dairy slightly while increasing the blended vegetables for more fiber.

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Gluten-Free Tips & Ingredient Swaps

This recipe is easy to keep gluten-free, but here are a few things to watch:

• Use a gluten-free labeled chicken broth
• Velveeta Original is generally considered gluten-free
• Avoid pre-made roux or soup bases
• Use gluten-free bread or crackers for serving

If you need a dairy-free option, use dairy-free cheddar and full-fat coconut milk—but the flavor and texture will change slightly.

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Tips for Getting the Best Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Always shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that stop it from melting smoothly.
• Add cheese at the end. High heat can make dairy separate.
• Don’t over-blend. Blend too much and you’ll lose the hearty texture.
• Adjust thickness easily. Add broth to thin, add cheese to thicken.

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Easy Variations for Different Dinner Ideas

• Add bacon: Sprinkle crispy bacon on top for smoky flavor.
• Add chicken: Stir in shredded chicken for extra protein.
• Add potatoes: Dice 2 cups of potatoes for a heartier version.
• Spicy version: Add diced jalapeños or red chili flakes.
• Cauliflower blend: Replace half the broccoli for a milder taste.

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What to Serve With This Delicious Soup

• Gluten-free garlic bread
• A simple green salad
• Grilled chicken on the side
• Gluten-free biscuits
• Roasted veggies

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Storage, Freezing & Meal Prep

• Refrigerate: Up to 4 days in an airtight container
• Freeze: Up to 2 months (freeze before adding dairy for best texture)
• Reheat: Warm on low heat—don’t boil to prevent separation

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Final Thoughts

This Ultra Creamy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Velveeta is everything you want in a comforting, homemade recipe: warm, cheesy, gluten free, easy to make, and completely delicious. It’s the kind of meal that becomes a family favorite quickly—rich enough for adults, mild enough for kids, simple enough for busy nights.

If you're looking for new dinner ideas that check all the boxes—creamy, easy, slow cooker, healthy-ish, and absolutely delicious—this soup deserves a spot on your menu this week.