Comforting Spinach Cheddar Soup Recipe: A Cozy Homemade Delight

Comfort meets nutrition in this hearty spinach cheddar soup that promises warmth and flavor in every spoonful.

Crisp green leaves blend seamlessly with sharp cheese notes, creating a delightful culinary experience.

Weeknight dinners call for something quick yet satisfying, and this recipe delivers precisely that.

Rich and creamy textures intermingle with nutritious spinach, bringing depth to your meal.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the robust cheddar that adds a luxurious touch to each serving.

Blending takes mere minutes, making this soup an ideal solution for busy individuals seeking delicious nourishment.

You’ll find yourself returning to this recipe time and again for its incredible simplicity and taste.

Savor every bite and let this soup become your new favorite comfort classic.

Spinach Cheddar Soup That’s Thick and Hearty

• Speedy Weeknight Lifesaver: Whip up this delicious soup in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a quick, nutritious meal without hours of kitchen work.
• Nutrition-Packed Comfort: Packed with iron-rich spinach and protein from cheese, this soup delivers a wholesome dish that feels indulgent yet supports healthy eating goals.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping cheddar for different cheeses, adding protein like cooked chicken, or making it vegetarian with vegetable broth.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using just one pot and an immersion blender means less dishwashing time, allowing you to enjoy your meal and relax faster after cooking.

Spinach Cheddar Soup Supplies

• Onions, Garlic: Aromatic base that creates a deep, rich flavor foundation for the soup. Sweet yellow onions work best, with fresh garlic for extra depth.
• Spinach: Provides vibrant green color and nutritious profile. Fresh spinach offers better texture and brighter taste compared to frozen.
• Broth: Provides liquid and savory background for the soup. Chicken or vegetable broth both work well.
• Butter, Cheddar Cheese, Cream: Create a rich, creamy texture and add luxurious flavor. Sharp cheddar provides more intense cheese taste, while medium cheddar offers milder notes.

Cheddar Soup with Spinach Simmering Guide

Step 1: Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat a spacious cooking vessel over medium warmth.

Melt butter until it shimmers and becomes golden.

• Onions
• Garlic

Sauté these aromatic companions until they transform into soft, translucent delights and release their fragrant essence.

Step 2: Introduce Leafy Goodness

Pour liquid vegetable stock into the pot, allowing it to bubble gently.

Cascade fresh spinach leaves into the simmering broth.

Watch as the vibrant green leaves collapse and surrender their texture, creating a lush green landscape in your pot.

Step 3: Transform Texture

Grab your immersion blender and dive into the pot.

Pulse and blend until the mixture becomes velvety smooth and uniform.

For those without a handheld blender, carefully transfer contents to a standard blender, working in batches.

Return the silky liquid to the original cooking vessel.

Step 4: Embrace Creamy Decadence

Lower the heat to a whisper.

Gradually sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese into the soup.

Add heavy cream and whisk with gentle, persistent movements.

Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxurious, glossy finish that promises comfort in every spoonful.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Ladle the soup into warm bowls.

Garnish with optional toppings like crispy bacon bits, extra cheese shreds, or fresh herb sprinkles.

Soup Tips for Creamy Spinach Cheddar Bowls

• Chop spinach leaves finely before adding to ensure smoother blending and prevent stringy bits in your soup.
• Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheddar to prevent cheese from becoming grainy or separating.
• Swap half the broth with vegetable stock for deeper flavor and enhanced vegetable profile.
• Use lactose-free cheese and dairy-free cream for a friendly option for sensitive digestive systems.
• Add potato or cornstarch slurry to thicken soup if you prefer a heartier texture without compromising taste.

Spinach Cheddar Soup Leftovers

• Store leftover spinach cheddar soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing if cream is heavily used as texture might separate.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of broth or milk to restore original consistency if soup thickens during storage.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching. Check temperature before serving to ensure smooth, warm soup.

Soups and Sips With Spinach Cheddar Soup

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, creamy texture of the spinach cheddar soup. The wine's bold tannins cut through the cheese's richness and enhance the soup's deep flavors.
• Serve Rustic Sourdough Bread: Grab a crusty, tangy sourdough slice to dip into the soup. Its slightly sour notes and crispy texture create a perfect contrast with the smooth, velvety soup base.
• Crisp Side Salad: Toss a light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy heaviness. Fresh arugula or baby spinach with a lemon-mustard dressing will brighten the entire meal.
• Garnish with Crispy Bacon Bits: Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top for an extra layer of smoky, salty crunch that adds depth and texture to the silky soup.

Spinach Cheddar Soup Warming Twists

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with olive oil, use coconut cream instead of dairy cream, and swap cheddar with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Green Soup: Substitute broth with bone broth, add cauliflower instead of potatoes, and use sharp aged cheddar for extra flavor while keeping carbohydrate content minimal.
• Herb-Infused Wellness: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or basil during sautéing, add kale alongside spinach for additional nutrients, and use Greek yogurt as a protein-packed cream alternative.
• Spicy Green Kick: Blend in roasted green chiles, sprinkle cayenne pepper, add jalapeños during cooking, and use pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, warming soup with increased heat and complexity.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, thaw and drain frozen spinach completely before adding to the soup. Squeeze out excess water to prevent the soup from becoming watery.

• What type of cheddar works best for this soup?

Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar provides the most robust flavor. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy.

• How can I make this soup healthier?

Use low-fat milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also add more vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini to increase nutritional value.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your broth and cheese are certified gluten-free if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Spinach Cheddar Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy spinach cheddar soup delivers a comforting embrace of green goodness and sharp cheese flavors. Rich Wisconsin cheddar and fresh spinach blend into a smooth, velvety bowl that warms souls and satisfies hunger with each hearty spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups fresh spinach, packed
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream (or milk)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning and Fats:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, enhances warmth)

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Instructions

1. Initiate the flavor foundation by gently melting butter in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, allowing the fat to spread evenly across the surface.
2. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the melted butter, stirring continuously and allowing the aromatics to soften and release their fragrant essence, which typically requires approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Stream the liquid broth into the pot, elevating the temperature to create a gentle simmering environment that will enhance the soup’s depth.
4. Carefully fold fresh spinach leaves into the simmering liquid, watching them gracefully wilt and transform into a vibrant emerald hue, which occurs within 2-3 minutes.
5. Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender, methodically pureeing the mixture until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency. Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture to a standard blender, processing in measured batches before returning to the cooking vessel.
6. Reduce the heat to a minimal setting, introducing shredded cheddar cheese and rich cream into the verdant liquid. Gently whisk the ingredients, allowing the cheese to melt seamlessly and create a luxurious, smooth presentation.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile that celebrates the soup’s delicate ingredients.

Notes

• Boost veggie content by adding extra leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard to increase nutritional value and create interesting texture variations.
• Customize dairy-free by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk and using vegan cheddar cheese for a plant-based friendly version that maintains creamy consistency.
• Control soup thickness by adjusting broth quantity – less liquid creates a heartier texture, while more produces a lighter, more delicate soup consistency.
• Enhance flavor complexity by roasting garlic and onions before adding to the soup, which develops deeper, more caramelized undertones and adds subtle smoky dimensions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg