Ready to upgrade your soup game? This easy Cheddar Cheese Soup recipe will remind you of your favorite canned condensed version but with an incredibly superior homemade touch. It’s rich, creamy, and absolutely brimming with cheesy goodness that puts any store-bought option to shame.
This simple recipe uses everyday ingredients and is remarkably quick to whip up. It’s versatile enough to be used as a delicious base for other recipes, and once you try this homemade version, you’ll never want to go back to canned soups again.
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Why Homemade Cheddar Cheese Soup Is Simply Fantastic
Homemade cheddar cheese soup is nothing short of extraordinary. Don’t miss out on this delicious soup that’s surprisingly easy to prepare and will warm your heart thoroughly. In about 20 minutes, you can have the best bowl of cheesy soup you will ever taste, made with ingredients you can pronounce and flavors you can trust.
The difference between homemade and store-bought is remarkable. While mass-produced cheese soups rely on food additives for preservation and artificial flavor enhancement, this homemade version gives you complete control over every ingredient that goes into your bowl.
Why You Should Try This Superior Recipe
Sometimes there’s absolutely nothing better than a warm bowl of soul-soothing soup, especially when you need cheering up or comfort. If you ever have a craving for condensed cheddar cheese soup, this homemade version should be your first choice because it tastes dramatically better than anything from a can.
Cheddar Cheese Soup Ingredients
For the Vegetable Base:
- Carrots – Add natural sweetness and essential nutrients while contributing to the soup’s beautiful color
- Celery – Provides aromatic depth and subtle crunch that enhances the overall flavor profile
- Green onion – Contributes a mild onion flavor and fresh color that brightens the rich soup
- White onion – Forms the savory foundation that supports all other flavors
For the Creamy Foundation:
- Butter – Creates the rich base for the roux and adds essential richness to the soup
- All-purpose flour – Essential thickening agent that creates the smooth, creamy consistency
- Milk – Provides creaminess and helps create the perfect soup texture
- Chicken broth – Adds savory depth and balances the richness with umami flavors
For the Signature Cheese Flavor:
- Processed cheese spread – Melts smoothly and creates the ideal creamy cheese texture without grittiness
- Mustard – Adds tangy complexity that enhances the cheese flavor
- Cayenne pepper – Provides subtle heat that balances the rich, creamy elements
- Salt and black pepper – Essential seasonings that bring out all the flavors
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
If you want the soup to be extra thick, you can add an additional 1/4 cup of flour to this recipe.
If you want an extra creamy soup, substitute milk with heavy cream.
How to Make Cheddar Cheese Soup
- Add the carrots, celery, and green onion to a pot of water on the stovetop and boil for 5Â minutes.
- Sauté the onion in melted butter. Add the flour and blend well.
- Bring the milk and broth to a boil and whisk them into the flour mixture.
- Stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Stir in the mustard and cooked vegetables (with the water they were cooked in).
- Bring to a boil and serve immediately.
You can also use an immersion blender to puree the soup.
Recipe Variations
This soup easily lends itself to additions such as cubed ham, potatoes, broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, and shredded chicken. It’s ideal for using up those leftovers hanging around in the fridge.
Vegetarian Cheddar Cheese Soup: Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
Vary the Cheese: Use a different kind of cheese spread, such as boursin, port wine, smoky bacon, spicy beer, or smoked gouda.
How to Garnish the Soup
This soup is rich and flavorful, and it is a perfect soup to garnish with a variety of toppings. You can garnish the soup with popcorn, rye chips, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, or croutons.
How to Serve Cheddar Cheese Soup
This soup is perfect for a quick lunch paired with some crusty bread. Or try dipping soft pretzels. Here are some other ways to use this cheesy soup:
- It’s so good on cheesesteaks or French fries.
- It makes the base of a great mac and cheese.
- This soup can be used in a lot of different ways. Check out these Recipes Using Cheddar Cheese Soup
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Reheating Method – Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. Add milk or broth if the soup becomes too thick. Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Refrigerator Storage – Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve after the dish has rested overnight.
- Freezer Storage – Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months, though texture may change slightly upon thawing.
Favorite Soup Recipes
- Acorn Squash Soup
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Chili’s Enchilada Soup
- Cowboy Soup
- Cream of Celery Soup
- Creamy Vegetable Soup
- Old Fashioned Potato Soup
- Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
- She Crab Soup
Love cheddar cheese? Try these recipes!
- Cheddar Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
- Cheddar Cheese Fondue
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Check out more of my easy soup recipes and the best comfort food recipes on CopyKat!
Best Homemade Cheddar Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup finely chopped carrots
- 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 15 ounces cheddar pasteurized processed cheese spread
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Instructions
- Place the water, carrots, celery, and green onions in a medium pot over high heat. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes over high heat. Set aside, but do not drain.
- Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 1 minute. Then add the flour and stir.
- In a large saucepan, bring the milk and broth to boil.
- Whisk the broth mixture into the flour mixture. Then add the rest of the ingredients, as well as the boiled vegetables and the water in which they were cooked. Bring to a boil and serve immediately.
This was wonderful! We loved it! Thanks for posting this one!