Crock Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Ingredients

16 ounce package frozen broccoli
2 stalks celery, finely diced (see notes below)
1 small onion, finely diced (see notes below)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon chicken base
12 ounce can evaporated milk (or 1 1/2 cups whole milk)
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for serving)

Directions

Place 16 ounce package frozen broccoli, 2 stalks celery, finely diced, 1 small onion, finely diced, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 3 ounces cream cheese, softened, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon chicken base, 12 ounce can evaporated milk, and 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour in a 5 quart slow cooker. Stir the ingredients to combine.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until broccoli is fork tender.
Add ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Turn the slow cooker off (with the lid on) for about 8-10 minutes before serving to allow the soup to thicken a bit with the cheeses.
Taste test and add salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with additional shredded cheddar cheese on top (if preferred).

Notes

If you like your onion and celery super soft, try sautéing in a pan (in some oil) for a few minutes until the onion is translucent before adding to the crock pot.

With slow cooker soups, less evaporation occurs than when cooked on a stove top which results in a thinner soup. Many folks prefer this but if you are one that likes a thicker soup, there is a way to help. Mix 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with one Tablespoon of water to make a cornstarch slurry in a small dish until the cornstarch is dissolved. Then, add it to the slow cooker toward the end of the cooking time and turn the slow cooker up to high just for about 10 minutes or so until you start to see it thicken.

Nutrition