Cheddar Cheese Soup: A Comforting, Creamy Classic

what is cheddar cheese soup

Cheddar cheese soup is a creamy soup that can be made with sharp or mild cheddar, depending on your preference. It is a simple and inexpensive dish to make, and it can be served as a light lunch or dinner, or as a starter at a formal gathering. The soup is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, to which chicken broth, heavy cream, and seasonings are added. The soup is then flavoured with shredded cheddar cheese, and it can be served with toppings such as bacon, chives, or croutons.

Characteristics Values
Texture Creamy, thick
Taste Cheesy, rich, hearty
Ingredients Butter, flour, chicken broth, heavy cream, hot sauce, salt, pepper, shredded cheddar cheese
Add-ins Bell peppers, potatoes, peas, vegetable broth, dairy-free cheese, coconut cream, smoked paprika, chipotle, hot milk, half-and-half, mustard
Toppings Bacon, chives, chopped hard-boiled eggs, croutons, extra cheddar, quick croutons, bacon bits, pretzel, parsley, goldfish crackers
Storage Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
Reheating Reheat on the stovetop on low, stirring frequently

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How to make cheddar cheese soup

Cheddar cheese soup is a creamy, comforting, and rich soup that is perfect for a cold day. It can be made with either sharp or mild cheddar, depending on your preference, and can be enjoyed on its own or as a topping for fries or sandwiches. The soup is also customisable, as you can add your favourite vegetables to it, such as carrots, onions, celery stalks, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, or green onions.

Ingredients:

  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Flour
  • Broth (chicken broth is a good option)
  • Milk (not low-fat)
  • Cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • Vegetables of your choice (optional)

Instructions:

Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add chopped onion and cook until tender, which should take about 5 minutes. Next, stir in the flour to make a roux and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to bubble and darken slightly.

Now, add the broth and stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Then, pour in the milk and cook until the soup just starts to boil, continuing to stir. At this point, you can add in any vegetables you would like, and cook them until tender.

Working in batches, blend the soup in a blender until smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan and heat until boiling. Finally, remove from the heat and whisk in the grated cheddar cheese until melted. If the cheese is not melting, try cooking the soup over very low heat for about a minute while stirring.

Your soup is now ready to serve! This recipe is simple yet tasty, and perfect for a cold winter day. Enjoy!

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Toppings and seasonings

When it comes to toppings and seasonings, there are a variety of options to enhance the flavour of cheddar cheese soup and tailor it to your taste preferences. Here are some ideas to consider:

Crackers: For a crunchy texture and a hint of saltiness, crackers can be a great topping. Goldfish crackers, in particular, pair well with the soup.

Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley can add a burst of colour and a subtle earthy flavour to the soup.

Bread: Cornbread goes well with cheddar cheese soup, providing a contrasting texture and a chance to soak up the cheesy goodness.

Vegetables: Sliced fresh garden tomatoes can bring a juicy, refreshing element to the soup, balancing out the richness of the cheese.

Spices: For a kick of heat, you can experiment with spices like cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Nuts: Toasted nuts, such as chopped walnuts or almonds, can add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour to the soup.

Additionally, when preparing the soup, you have the option to use either sharp or mild cheddar, depending on your preference for a more pronounced or subtle cheese flavour. Remember to season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, and feel free to experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika to add depth of flavour.

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How to reheat

Cheddar cheese soup is a creamy soup that can be made with sharp or mild cheddar. It can be made from scratch or using a condensed canned variety, such as Campbell's Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, which is diluted with milk before serving.

The key to successfully reheating cheddar cheese soup is to keep the temperature low and heat the soup slowly. This will prevent the soup from burning and the cheese proteins from tightening up and squeezing out the fat, which results in a grainy, curdled consistency.

To reheat the soup on a stovetop, keep the flame low and stir the soup often. For a microwave, use short bursts of around 20 seconds, stirring after each burst until the soup reaches your desired temperature. If reheating a large quantity of soup in the microwave, heat for a minute, stir, then repeat the process until the soup is hot enough.

If you are reheating a frozen soup, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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Campbell's Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup

Cheddar cheese soup is a creamy soup that can be made with either sharp or mild cheddar. It is easy and inexpensive to make from scratch, but it can also be purchased pre-made. Campbell's Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup is one such product. It comes in 10.5 oz cans and is available at Walmart. It is a vegetarian product and can be used as a base for easy weeknight cooking.

To prepare Campbell's Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, one must add a can of milk to the contents of the can. This is because it is a condensed cream-based soup. The resulting mixture can be used as a soup on its own or as a flavouring for other dishes.

Some people have used Campbell's Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup as an ingredient in recipes for Wisconsin Cheese Soup, Wisconsin Broccoli-Cheddar Cheese Soup, Macaroni and Cheese Soup, and more. The soup can also be served with toppings such as goldfish crackers and parsley, or with sides such as cornbread and sliced tomatoes.

Campbell's also offers a Heart Healthy variety of their Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, which contains 50% less fat and 50% less sodium.

Cheddar Cubing: Warm or Cold?

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Variations

Cheddar cheese soup is a creamy soup that can be made with sharp or mild cheddar, depending on your preference. It can be made from scratch or purchased in a can. The canned soup is condensed and requires milk to be added to it.

There are many ways to vary a basic cheddar cheese soup recipe. For example, you can add vegetables such as bell peppers, potatoes, or peas to give the soup extra body. You can also add different types of cheese, such as white cheddar, medium cheddar, Gruyere, or Gouda. If you want to make it spicy, add a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle for a smoky undertone, or add hot sauce for a hint of heat.

For a vegan option, use vegetable broth, dairy-free cheese, and coconut cream. For a gluten-free option, use a different thickening agent instead of flour.

Cheddar cheese soup can also be served with different toppings, such as bacon crumbles, chives, chopped hard-boiled eggs, extra cheddar, quick croutons, or bacon bits. You can also dip a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, a soft pretzel, or goldfish crackers into the soup.

There are also many variations of cheddar cheese soup that incorporate other ingredients, such as Wisconsin Broccoli-Cheddar Cheese Soup, Macaroni and Cheese Soup, and Scottish Cheddar Cheese Soup.

Frequently asked questions

Cheddar cheese soup is a creamy soup made with sharp or mild cheddar cheese. It can be made from scratch or bought pre-made in cans.

The base of the soup is made with butter and flour, which creates a roux. Chicken broth, heavy cream, and hot sauce are then added, followed by shredded cheddar cheese.

To make cheddar cheese soup, first create a roux by melting butter and mixing in flour. Then, slowly add in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring continuously. Finally, add in shredded cheddar cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

The flour and butter roux is what thickens the soup. It is important to continuously whisk the mixture while adding in the liquid to ensure a smooth consistency.

Due to the drastic temperature change affecting the cheese, it is not recommended to freeze cheddar cheese soup.

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