Broccoli and Cheese Soup in Homemade Bread Bowls are definitely worth the time it takes to make them. Hearty and filling. Enjoy!

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Broccoli and Cheese Soup in Homemade Bread Bowls
Have I told y’all how much I enjoy a nice bowl of hot soup? For me, it’s not just a seasonal thing either – I eat it all year! I can promise you when it’s in the triple digits here in Arizona, we’ll still be eating soup. (For the record, we’ve already had a few days of triple digits this year – it’s crazy considering some of y’all have had snow in *MAY* – what is up with the weird weather anyways?!)
Aside from soup, another thing I really enjoy making and eating (and so does my family), is homemade bread! This carb-junkie (me) likes it too much if you want the truth. We don’t do bread bowls too often, but my family thinks they’re the coolest things since there is no “real bowl” per se.
This meal is a little time-consuming in the making of the bread, but since the bread machine practically does all the work, it’s not too bad! I hope you’ll consider this family favorite Broccoli and Cheese Soup – you’ll be glad you did! ๐
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Broccoli and Cheese Soup in Homemade Bread Bowls
This meal is a little time-consuming in the making of the bread, but since the bread machine practically does all the work, it's not too bad! I hope you'll consider this family favorite Broccoli and Cheese Soup - you'll be glad you did! ๐
Ingredients
For the bowls
- 1 cup + 3 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
For the soup
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (one 32 oz. carton) vegetable broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 large head of broccoli, stems removed and discarded, florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups half & half
Instructions
For the bowls:
- Place all ingredients in the bread pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select the dough setting. Check the dough after about 5 minutes - add 1-2 tablespoons four or water if necessary.
- When the cycle is complete, turn the dough into a floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each piece into a ball. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled - about 30 minutes.
- Bake at 400°F. for 18-23 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Allow to cool.
- To serve: Cut off the top portion of the bread. Carefully hollow out the bowl leaving about ¼-inch shell. Discard the removed bread or save it for another use. Fill the bowl with the desired soup.
For the soup:
- In a soup pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and carrot. Cook until the onion turns soft and becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Stir in the flour. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the broth and milk, whisking until well combined.
- Add the broccoli, salt and pepper. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow to cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Add the cheese, one handful at a time, stirring after each addition until the cheese is melted. Add the half & half and heat through.
- Serve the soup in the cooled bread bowls.
Notes
** If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender at the end just before serving! A regular blender or food processor works too - only fill it halfway and blend in batches if necessary!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1378Total Fat: 81gSaturated Fat: 44gCholesterol: 210mgSodium: 2378mgFiber: 9gSugar: 18gProtein: 51g
Originally published May 8, 2013. Updated on April 23, 2021.
Ok that's it! I'm flying over for dinner ๐ Looks awesomely good, especially with our cold weather now!
I usually do the bowls with frozen bread dough, as yeast and I are longtime enemies, but I'll do the soup for sure!
I LOVE Broccoli and Cheese Soup & never thought of trying to make bread bowls at home. Thanks for the recipe. Pinning!
Perfect looking broccoli and cheese soup, great recipe!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Wow wow wow. I lcve it. Thankfully, my local grocery store also has a bakery in it and they make fresh bread bowls. Since I don't have a bread maker, that'll be the way I'll do it. Can hardly wait to try this myself! Thanks for adding it to my blog hop ๐
Blessings,
Sinea
Ducks โn a Row
I have been wanting to make bread bowls, but kept forgetting about it! Now I have a recipe, thank you ๐
Yum! I'll give your soup a try. I make the bread bowls using frozen bread dough.
Homemade bread bowls and you can use a bread machine? I can't believe it. My family is going to sing your praise.
Oh yum, Jamie!! LOVE the bread bowls… and the soup too, of course! ๐
G'day! LOVE soups in a bread bowl, TRUE!
YUM! Warm, welcoming too!
Saw as part of Foodie Friends Friday Recipe Collection Mother's Day!
Cheers!
Joanne
What's On The List
http://www.whatsonthelist.net
This looks amazing! Love soup in a bread bowl! Thank you for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday. I am sharing this on my FB page later today. Come back and VOTE on Sunday!
I always have problems finding a perfect size bread for bread bowls, pinning to make my own now!!!
Hugs
I just love this soup Jamie. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a very special Mothers Day Weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
this looks delicious Jamie. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop. We can't wait to see what you have for us this week. The party starts at 8:00PM tonight.
Debi and Charly
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe at the Say G'Day Saturday linky party. I don't have a bread machine so might not make the bread but the soup sounds delicious! I have pinned this post and tweeted about it too.
Best wishes and hope you can join in again this weekend.
Natasha in Oz
Wait. What? You like soup? Had no idea.
My husband used to order either broccoli cheese or french onion soup in a bread bowl from a cafe we used to go to (it is closed now). I'll have to make this for him!
Thank you for linking up!
Girl, you have given me the courage to try my hand at homemade bread bowls! Pinning right now. ๐ These will be perfect this fall for my homemade clam chowder. Thank you for sharing at Tasty Tuesdays.
Homemade bread bowls are on my baking bucket list…you have me convinced I can do it. And I absolutely love Broccoli Cheese soup.
I am drooling on the keyboard!
This looks great!
I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight.
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/tgif-link-party-3.html
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy