Broccoli cheddar soup is a classic comfort food that complements many different side dishes. If you’re looking for inspiring ideas on what to serve with this creamy soup, look no further. In this blog post, I’ll cover the top sides to choose from, plus tips on how to make the most of their flavors to create the best accompaniments for your soup.
A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup is a comforting and delicious meal, but it can always be improved with the right sides. Salads, grains, crackers and breads, proteins, and desserts all work great with this soup, and the combinations are endless.
With these simple recipes you can turn your soup into a full and flavorful meal.
So, let’s dig in!
Keep reading to discover 25+ of the best side dishes to serve with your favorite broccoli cheese soup.
What to Eat with Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Duchess Potatoes
Duchess Potatoes are a fancy piped potato side dish that must make an appearance at your next dinner party. Rich, creamy, and cheesy with just a subtle crisp, these elegant baked mashed potatoes are unlike anything else!
Duchess Potatoes
Simple Arugula Salad Dressing
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Garlic Bread
This restaurant-quality Garlic Bread is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and slathered with homemade garlic butter and melted parmesan. It’s the perfect pairing for your pasta dinner!
Garlic Bread
Oven Baked Chicken Legs
These Oven Baked Chicken Legs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. No breading needed! Turn to this easy recipe when you need a quick dinner or protein for meal prep.
Baked Chicken Legs
Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce Recipe
Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce are the perfect snack for tailgating. Soft, chewy and bite size with a golden crust, they're perfect for dunking into a rich cheese dip that can be customized 3-ways.
Pretzel Bites
Italian Radicchio Salad
This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!
Radicchio Salad
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders cook up golden & crispy on the outside, but juicy inside. The best part is they can be made in under 20 minutes with just 6-ingredients.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
The BEST Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
These Air Fryer Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!
Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
This foolproof recipe makes flavorful and tender air fryer chicken breasts every time, seasoned with herbs and spices.
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes cook up quicker than in the oven and they’re deliciously fluffy and creamy every time! Learn how to make the BEST sweet potatoes in the pressure cooker in just about 30 minutes!
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Grilled Bell Peppers
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
Grilled Bell Peppers
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.
Sauteed Zucchini
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic cook up crispy and delicious with minimal oil with the help of your air fryer! Dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. You'll love these!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Instant Pot Artichokes
Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!
Instant Pot Artichokes
Shaved Fennel Salad
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.
Fennel Celery Salad
How to Make Crostini
Crostini are easy to make at home using just 3-ingredients – bread, olive oil and salt. This simple crostini recipe is the perfect appetizer for parties. You can make them ahead of time and serve them with a variety of toppings.
Crostini
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Love artichokes? Try this quick and easy Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts recipe! Seasoned with parmesan and Italian seasonings, they’re an incredibly crispy and flavorful appetizer or healthy snack.
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Homemade Croutons
Learn how to make Homemade Croutons with just 4 simple ingredients. This crouton recipe is so much better than store bought! Use in salads, soups, stuffing or just eat them straight off the pan.
Homemade Croutons
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these broccoli cheddar soup side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Broccoli Cheddar Soup Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with broccoli cheddar soup. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Full Recipe
What to Eat with Broccoli Cheddar Soup: 25+ Sides
If you’re looking for inspiring ideas on what to eat with Broccoli Cheddar Soup, look no further. Here's 25+ of the BEST side dishes! Try them with this Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Made entirely in the Instant Pot with wholesome ingredients and plenty of cheese, this recipe delivers classic broccoli and cheese soup with the push of a button!
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Serves 6 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups broccoli (chopped small (or a 12 oz. package chopped broccoli or frozen broccoli))
- 1 ½ cups carrots (chopped small or shredded (about 3 medium carrots))
- 3 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot to SAUTE. Add the butter. Once melted, add the onion, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic, and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli, carrots and chicken stock.
- Place the lid on the pot and set the valve to seal.
- Cook on MANUAL high pressure for 2 minutes. Note: It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build in the pot, then the countdown timer will begin.
- Once the cook time is up, hit CANCEL and quick release the pressure.
- Turn the pot back to SAUTE, add the half and half, cheese, paprika, mustard, salt + pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and water, then add the slurry to the instant pot.
- Continue to heat and stir until the soup is thickened.
- If you’d like a creamier soup, blend some or all of the soup with an immersion blender or a regular blender.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Once the soup is cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for 4 to 5 days. It also freezes well for 2 to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw the frozen leftovers in the fridge, then heat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. Add a splash of milk or broth if it’s too thick.
Nutrition
Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 722mg | Potassium: 559mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 6519IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 382mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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