Restaurant Cheese Soup
A creamy, cheesy soup packed with vegetables and rich flavors, perfect for comforting meals and suitable for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups potatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup carrots, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup colored sweet peppers, chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 3 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 2 cups milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup flour ⓘ
- 12 ounces Velveeta cheese ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon parsley ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken soup ⓘ
Instructions
- In a heavy pan, cook potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and peppers in butter until tender.
- Add chicken broth and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Blend milk and flour together and add to the broth mixture.
- Add Velveeta cheese, parsley, and cream of chicken soup.
- Stir until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
- Serve warm.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing some garlic or adding a dash of hot sauce to the soup. If you don't have Velveeta cheese, you can substitute with a mix of cheddar and cream cheese for a similar creamy texture. For a healthier option, use low-fat milk and reduce the butter. If you're short on time, frozen mixed vegetables can be used instead of fresh.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the cheese soup garnished with additional parsley for a pop of color. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. Consider serving it alongside a light entrée like Chicken Tarragon Salad(Cold) for a delightful contrast of flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cheese soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. You can add a splash of milk or broth if the soup has thickened too much during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Restaurant Cheese Soup contains roughly 1452 calories, with 37g protein, 155g carbohydrates, and 80g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (210% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (103% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (100% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 991mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this cheese soup can be made ahead of time. Simply prepare the soup, allow it to cool, and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, reheat it gently on the stove, stirring to ensure even heating and a smooth consistency.
Is there a vegetarian version of this soup?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, simply substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the cream of chicken soup. You can also add more vegetables, like mushrooms or spinach, to enhance the flavor without using meat products.
How can I thicken the soup further?
If you prefer a thicker soup, you can blend a portion of the cooked vegetables and stir them back into the soup. Alternatively, you can mix an additional tablespoon of flour with a bit of cold milk to create a slurry, then stir it into the soup and simmer until it thickens.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).