(Extra Green) Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
This broccoli soup is more than a creamy soup with heaps of cheese and a dash of broccoli pieces. The broccoli is the star, and with the addition of an extra green ingredient, it is an excellent source of vitamin C this fall and winter.
When I was in college, my idea of a convenience meal was an individual tray of frozen macaroni and cheese heated in my dorm microwave and topped with crumbled crackers. Or just as often, a pack of Lance crackers and a can of coke.
I practically lived off of these meals during that season of my life. I loved them then. But I wouldn’t want to go back.
One-hour French bread is perfect with a bowl of hot soup!
These days, convenience meals look pretty different. Because even though convenience is important some days, so is the need to feed my family filling and (mostly) healthy foods.
When I am really in a rush or not wanting to cook, we pull out a bag of frozen potstickers and make a quick side of fried rice or simple roasted carrot fries.
More often, though, I rely on other forms of convenience– forms that still look like real food, and without all the unnecessary preservatives or artificial ingredients. Precut vegetables. Chicken broth and beans made in big batches and frozen until needed. Organic tortillas on hand for simple quesadillas or wraps. Quick and easy meals that come together quickly.
This broccoli cheese soup was already a pretty easy meal to make on the stovetop, but using my Instant Pot has made it into a 15 minute meal, with only about 5 minutes of hands-on work.
I like to buy bagged broccoli florets from Costco because of how easy it is to just grab and dump– onto a baking sheet for roasted broccoli, into a pot to steam, or in this case, straight into the Instant Pot for a simple soup.
This soup is my eldest son’s favorite, but really, everyone in the family loves it.
I appreciate that its not just a soup with a dash of broccoli to go along with the heaps of milk and cheese. The broccoli is the star, and the green is boosted by the addition of spinach. Use homemade broth to make this soup a powerhouse of nutrition and an excellent source of vitamin C.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can find the recipe for stovetop broccoli cheese soup in this cookbook (one of the most used in my kitchen). Or check out these seven soups that come together fast, and the soups listed here in the recipe index.
Check out these other Must-Have Instant Pot Soups for the Fall!
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(Extra Green) Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes high pressure
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 4 heaping C broccoli florets
- 4 C chicken broth
- 2 C spinach
- 1 C shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Melt butter in the Instant Pot on Saute. Add the onion and spices and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic, then the broccoli florets. Stir to combine ingredients.
2. Pour in the chicken broth. Cover the IP, close the valve, and set IP to 4 minutes on manual high pressure.
3. After 4 minutes on high pressure, quick release pressure. Return the IP to Saute, and add the spinach. Stir in the spinach until the leaves are wilted.
4. Blend the soup in a blender or food processor. Add the cheeses and blend again to incorporate.
5. Serve immediately with croutons and extra Parmesan cheese (optional).
Notes
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated
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Just made this for a quick Monday lunch for my kiddos! It’s so easy, delicious and nutritious- a winner all around!
Delicious and so easy! My kids pick at veggies but love smooth, puréed soups so this was an easy way to get some veggies into them without a fight. Also, it’s low carb so I got to have a few bowls too!
I made this in my pressure cooker last night and it is amazing! My husband, daughter, and I all thoroughly enjoyed it!
I never give 5 stars…. Best broccoli cheese soup on the net. Even better the next day.
We love this soup! thanks so much for the recipe. We’ve adjusted it a little bit and have added in a cup of shredded carrots too. Little flecks of orange are pretty in it. I was worried about the spinach in it but, it doesn’t turn into a cream of spinach soup. It is delicious!
Being vegan, would vegetable broth work just as well as chicken broth ? Many thanks for the recipe,
Certainly.
This soup was delicious. I was a little heavy handed on the Parmesan cheese so it came out a tad bit salty for my taste. Next time I’ll skip the salt. Definitely a keeper.
Yum! I love ‘hiding’ extra veggies from my picky kiddos. This is one of my favorite soups- and i love to freeze 1-2 portions each time i make it to always have some on hand. We like this soup with pork loin the best. Great recipe.
I wasn’t sure about this recipe at first because we usually like chunky soups, BUT this will be my new go-to broccoli cheese soup recipe for sure. Everyone in the family loved it and as a mom, I really appreciate that you snuck some additional green into the dish with the spinach! YUM. Thanks!!
WOW!! So good!!! Thanks for another great recipe ?
can you please make recipes printable?
It is printable, click on the Print button :).
Yum! I will have to try this! I think my fave soup is Zuppa Toscana.