Check out my recipe for making Ninja Foodi Broccoli Cheddar Soup using the pressure cook function. !
If you’ve been to Panera Bread, then you’ve likely had broccoli cheddar soup! Broccoli cheddar soup is a very thick and hearty soup made of broccoli and lots of cheesy goodness! It’s perfect as a full meal (serve in a bread bowl to really kick it up a notch!) or as an appetizer for your favorite meal.
Ninja Foodi broccoli cheddar soup is incredibly quick and easy to make. It doesn’t call for a ton of expensive ingredients, and everyone in the family loves it! For this recipe, you basically just need to cook the broccoli, onions, and carrots down and then add the cheesy goodness! Ok, there’s a couple more steps in the process, but that’s the basics.

Ninja Foodi broccoli cheddar soup reheats incredibly well, so feel free to double the recipe and make a big batch to eat over the next couple of days. If you double the recipe, there is no need to adjust the cook time. Just, double the ingredients and cook per the directions in the recipe.


Something to keep in mind when making any Ninja Foodi soups is the process for releasing the pressure. When you go to release the pressure on a soup, or anything that has a lot of liquid or starch, you want to be very careful not to release the pressure so quickly that the liquid comes spraying out the pressure release valve.
To avoid a mess, delay the release of the pressure for just a couple of minutes and then check to see if it’s safe to release the remaining pressure. Do so by slowly moving the valve to the release position. If liquid starts coming out of the valve, close it and let the pot sit there (make sure it’s turned off) and naturally release pressure for a couple more minutes. Repeat this process until there is no liquid coming out of the pressure release valve.
A little steam is ok…and expected. But, the steam should be clear when it’s released. If the steam is milky or white in color, close the valve and let it naturally release the pressure for a couple of minutes.

Tips for making Ninja Foodi Broccoli Cheddar Soup
A mixture of flour, butter, and milk will thicken up broccoli cheddar soup. Melt the butter, add the flour, and stir. Pour in the warmed milk and stir until smooth. Pour this mixture into the soup and stir until well combined.
When cheddar cheese gets too hot, the fat in it separates. To avoid this from happening, we are adding the cheddar cheese to the broccoli cheddar soup after pressure cooking it. The cheese is the last ingredient to be added to the soup, this way it does not get too hot and it should not separate.
Pre-shredded cheese has a coating on it that can prevent it from melting properly and get super creamy. To prevent this from happening, freshly grate the cheese before adding it to the soup.
Broccoli cheddar soup has a lot of vegetables in it, which are good for you and provide a lot of vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, K, and B6. However, the cheese, butter, and half & half contain a lot of calories.
If you have leftovers, you can pour the broccoli cheddar soup into an airtight container or ziplock bag and refrigerate it for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to eat the frozen leftovers, thaw and reheat until hot. You can reheat the leftovers in the Ninja Foodi using the saute function, in the microwave, or in a medium pan on the stovetop.
Looking for more of the best Ninja Food Recipes? Check out all of my Ninja Foodi recipes here!
Ingredients for making Ninja Foodi Broccoli and Cheddar Soup:

Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Foodi Broccoli and Cheddar Soup:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Butter (Salted)- I prefer to use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer.
Onion (Finely Diced) – Fresh or frozen diced onions can be used. Yellow onions work great in this recipe. Make sure that you dice them quite small. You want the onion to add flavor but not texture to the soup.
Garlic (Minced)- Fresh or jarred garlic works great.
Carrots (Shredded)– You can use baby or full-sized carrots. Or, if your grocery store sells pre-shredded carrots, use those as they will save you a bunch on time shredding them yourself.
Broccoli Florets (Chopped)- For this recipe, I would recommend using fresh broccoli florets instead of frozen ones. Frozen broccoli needs virtually no time to cook under high pressure. You want the broccoli cooked but not way over cooked and mushy. Using frozen broccoli can bake the broccoli soup mushy.
Vegetable Broth– I used vegetable broth, but you can use chicken broth instead if that is all you have on hand. The taste will be slightly different but still delicious. Feel free to use regular or low-sodium broth. It is NOT recommended to use water instead of broth.
Flour– I use all purpose flour. You only need a little bit, but it is important in the recipe, so do not leave it out.
Milk- Whole, 2% or skim milk can be used. The higher the fat content of the milk, the thicker and creamier the Ninja Foodi broccoli cheese soup will be.
Half and Half- If you don’t have half and half, you can add extra milk and a little bit of heavy cream instead.
Salt & Pepper- Freshly ground is preferred. You can modify the amount of salt and pepper that you add to the recipe based on your own preference. If you are on a low-sodium diet, you can omit salt if needed.
Paprika- If you don’t have paprika, you can substitute it with a very small amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder. Cayanne is the closest spice in flavor compared to Paprika, but cayenne is much hotter in spice. A little goes a long way if you are substituting paprika with cayenne.
Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)– Traditionally, sharp cheddar cheese is used in broccoli and cheddar soup, but you can use a mixture of sharp cheddar, extra sharp, or mild cheddar cheese if you prefer. Freshly shredded cheese melts the best and helps make the soup extra creamy. But, you can use pre-shredded, it just might not be quite as creamy.
Steps for making Ninja Foodi Broccoli and Cheddar Soup:

Directions for making Ninja Foodi Broccoli and Cheddar Soup:
1. Turn the Ninja Foodi on and select the sauté function.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of butter (the other 4 tablespoons of butter will be used in a later step).
3. Once the butter is melted, add in the onion and saute until transluscent. This should take 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, carrots, and broccoli, and stir.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir.
6. Turn the saute function off and put on the pressure cooking lid. Make sure the valve is in the sealed position. Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes, naturally release the pressure for 3 or 4 minutes, and then quick release the remaining pressure. If the liquid starts to come out of the vent, close the vent, wait a couple of minutes, and then try to release the pressure again.
7. Melt the rest of the butter (¼ cup) in a bowl in the microwave and then mix in the flour until it’s well combined.
8. Microwave the milk to warm it up for about 30 seconds, and then whisk the warm milk into the melted butter and flour mixture. Whisk until there are no clumps.
9. Turn the Ninja Foodi back on and choose the saute function.
10. Pour in the milk, butter, and flour mixture and stir well for 2-3 minutes.
11. Pour in the half and half, salt, pepper, and paprika, and stir well.
12. Add in 1 cup of shredded cheese and stir.
13. Once the cheese is well combined with the soup, add in the rest of the cheese and stir until creamy.
14. Serve in a bread bowl or with crackers.
Pin Ninja Foodi Broccoli and Cheddar Soup on Pinterest for later:

Recipe
Ninja Foodi Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons (5 Tablespoons) Butter (Salted)
- 1 Cup (160 g) Onion (Finely Diced)
- ½ Tablespoon (½ Tablespoon) Garlic (Minced)
- 1 Cup (128 g) Carrots (Shredded)
- 4 Cups (364 g) Broccoli Florets (Chopped)
- 4 Cups (940 g) Vegetable Broth
- ½ Cup (62 ½ g) Flour
- 1 Cup (244 g) Milk
- 1 Cup (242 g) Half and Half
- ½ Teaspoon (½ Teaspoon) Salt
- ½ Teaspoon (½ Teaspoon) Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon (¼ Teaspoon) Paprika
- 2 Cups (226 g) Cheddar Cheese (Freshly Shredded)
Instructions
- Turn the Ninja Foodi on and select the saute function.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter (the other 4 tablespoons of butter will be used in a later step).
- Once the butter is melted, add in the onion and saute until transluscent. This should take 2-3 minutes.
- Add the garlic, carrots, and broccoli, and stir.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and stir.
- Turn the saute function off and put on the pressure cooking lid. Make sure the valve is in the sealed position. Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes, naturally release the pressure for 3 or 4 minutes, and then quick release the remaining pressure. If the liquid starts to come out of the vent, close the vent, wait a couple of minutes and then try to release the pressure again.
- Melt the rest of the butter (¼ cup) in a bowl in the microwave and then mix in the flour until it's well combined.
- Microwave the milk to warm it up for about 30 seconds, and then whisk the warm milk into the melted butter and flour mixture. Whisk until there are no clumps.
- Turn the Ninja Foodi back on and choose the saute function.
- Pour in the milk, butter, and flour mixture and stir well for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the half and half, salt, pepper, and paprika, and stir well.
- Add in 1 cup of shredded cheese and stir.
- Once the cheese is well combined with the soup, add in the rest of the cheese and stir until creamy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!
-
Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream
If you are tired of forcing down protein shakes and you are looking for a better way to hit your macros, then you have to try this Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream. It is packed with real mixed berries, loaded with protein, and it tastes like an actual dessert instead of something you are forcing yourself to eat because it is good for you. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries come together to create a bold berry flavor that is bright, fruity, and absolutely delicious. This recipe comes in at 279 calories, 26 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 6 […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip
If you love strawberries and you love frozen desserts but you don’t love all the calories that come with store-bought ice cream, then you are going to want to make this Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip right away. Think of it like a homemade strawberry version of the famous pineapple Dole Whip, but made right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients. It’s light, it’s creamy, it’s packed with real strawberry flavor, and it seriously feels like a sweet treat you shouldn’t be allowed to have on a diet. But you can. And that’s the best part. This recipe […]
-
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
If you love a fresh, sweet watermelon as much as I do, then you have to try this Ninja Creami watermelon sorbet. It is made with just one single ingredient, fresh watermelon, and it comes out smooth, creamy, and packed with that sweet, juicy watermelon flavor that just screams summer. No added sugar, no dairy, no fuss. Just watermelon. That’s it! This recipe comes in at 91 calories, 2 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, and 23 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. […]
-
Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love fun flavors and protein-packed desserts, this Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream is going to be your new favorite treat. It’s sweet, creamy, and it’s got a ton of cotton candy flavor in the ice cream base and in the mix-ins! Not only does it taste great, but the texture (and color) is AMAZING! Made right in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine, this recipe brings a playful twist to high-protein frozen desserts while keeping things light and refreshing. This recipe comes in at 351 calories, 27 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 14 […]
-
Ninja Creami Coconut Cream Pie Protein Frozen Yogurt
If you love coconut creami pie, you’re going to love this recipe! Ninja Creami Coconut Cream Pie Protein Frozen Yogurt is creamy, lightly sweet, and 37 grams of protein per pint. With toasted coconut yogurt, whey protein, and a hint of vanilla and coconut extract, it tastes just like dessert with some extra protein and without the extra calories. This recipe comes in at 404 calories, 37 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 19 grams of fat, 42 carbs, 18 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all […]
-
The BEST Ninja Creami Full Fat/Sugar/Dairy Recipes
Check out my favorite classic Ninja Creami ice cream recipes made with real dairy and real sugar. These are just good, old-fashioned ice cream flavors with no special diet focus, no swaps, and no compromises. If you are new to the Ninja Creami or just want dependable recipes that taste like actual creamy ice cream, this is exactly where to start. You will find familiar favorites like chocolate chip, chocolate lovers ice cream, Butterfinger, M&M ice cream, mint chocolate chip, strawberry ice cream, frozen yogurts, and even Dole Whip style treats. These recipes are meant to be fun, nostalgic, and […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Grape Kool-Aid Ice Cream
I love experimenting with low-calorie ice creams, and this Grape Kool-Aid version is a fun throwback to drinking Kool-Aid as a kid. Using 2% milk, allulose, sugar-free instant vanilla pudding, and just a touch of grape Kool-Aid powder, this pint comes together with the perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavor. It’s creamy, satisfying, and still keeps the calories low. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 12 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, 33 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for […]
-
Flodesk Email Marketing Platform That Finally Made Email Easy (and less stressful!)
Your email platform should make your life easier. It shouldn’t feel confusing, clunky, or like a full-time job to figure out. If you want beautiful emails that are quick to create and backed by great customer service, Flodesk is the one for you. It’s basically the only email tool that hasn’t made me want to throw my laptop out the window. ***I am a Flodesk partner but all of the opinions below are mine. I wouldn’t make a post about something that I didn’t actually like enough to recommend. Email matters. It’s one of the best ways to stay connected […]
-
Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt
If you’re looking for a light and fruity frozen treat that’s simple to make, this Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt is the perfect recipe. It’s made with just four ingredients: blueberry yogurt, coconut yogurt, vanilla bean paste, and blueberries. The Ninja Creami machine does all the work for you, creating a soft, creamy texture that tastes amazing every time. This recipe comes in at 598 calories, 23 grams of protein, 71 grams of sugar, 23 grams of fat, and 75 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition […]
-
Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream
If you love the flavor of warm cinnamon and tart green apples, this Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream will be your new favorite recipe. It’s sweet, creamy, and packed with protein, making it a dessert you can actually feel good about eating. Every spoonful tastes like a crisp fall day in the best way possible. This recipe comes in at 248 calories, 25 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 49 carbs, 25 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Horchata Ice Cream
This is a unique recipe for making Ninja Creami ice cream that tastes like horchata. It’s low in calories and includes a couple of secret ingredients to achieve amazing flavor and perfect texture while keeping the calories super low. This recipe comes in at 250 calories, 9 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 60 carbs, 12 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. You’re probably wondering what horchata is and what it tastes like. Horchata is a drink that started in […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
If you enjoy a creamy, fruity, frozen, sweet treat, you’ll love this Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt. Made with just two simple ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make at home using your Ninja Creami. This recipe keeps things simple with no hard to find, complicated, or unusual ingredients, just pure, delicious strawberry flavor in every bite. This recipe comes in at 401 calories, 23 grams of protein, 65 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 66 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Making frozen yogurt at home […]
-
What to Do With Ninja Creami Leftovers and How to Keep Them Soft After Refreezing
Are your leftovers frozen solid? Don’t panic…this is NORMAL! One of the tricky things about Ninja Creami ice cream is the leftovers can become rock solid, like a chunk of ice, after refreezing. Usually, the leftovers are not soft enough to scoop. This can be problematic if you don’t want to have to process leftovers every time you want to eat them or if you have added mix-ins (mix-ins get completely mixed into the ice cream if you process them again). A couple reasons why the leftovers are not scoopable… How to resolve this issue… How to use FOOD GRADE […]
-
What is the ideal freezer temperature for Ninja Creami creations?
If you freezer temperature is not ideal, your Ninja Creami creations might not turn out as expected. If the freezer is too cold, the ice cream could be very hard or dry and powdery. If the freezer is not cold enough, the ice cream is likely to be softer than expected and oftentimes will be icy. What temperature should the freezer be set to? The recommended temperature for the freezer for Ninja Creami treats is between -7 and +9 degrees Fahrenheit. This calculates to be between -21.7 and -12.8 degrees Celsius. A few tips on properly freezing Ninja Creami creations Not […]
-
What Do You Do About the Bump on Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Can It Damage the Machine?
Let me start off by saying that not all bumps are treated equally. This is not a one-size-fits-all all answer. The information in this post is for informational purposes only and is based on my own personal experiences and the experiences of the folks in the Ninja Creami Community on Facebook. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This is one of the most common and controversial troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes after freezing Ninja Creami creations, a mound or hump can develop on the top of the ice cream. Per the instructions from the manufacturer, the top […]
-
How to Clean Your Ninja Creami: Spindle, Paddle, Bowl, and Lid
Learn how to clean every part of your Ninja Creami, including the spindle, paddle, outer bowl, and lid. Simple tips to keep your machine working great! Some parts are much easier to clean than others. It’s really important that you keep your Ninja Creami and the accessories nice and clean. If you don’t the pieces can start to smell bad, or in severe cases, can attract insects or start to mold. How do you clean the Ninja Creami spindle? How do you clean the Ninja Creami paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl lid? The paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl […]
-
Ninja Creami Functions-What to Use and When
Depending on the Ninja Creami model that you have, the function that you will use to process your frozen treats can vary. Choosing the correct function can be a bit overwhelming at times. But, it’s not a perfect science. You can look at the chart below and determine what process might work best for your recipe based on the ingredients used. But, don’t overthink it or overcomplicate it. The majority of the time, you’ll probably use ice cream or lite ice cream. The below charts give you an idea of how long and at what speed the paddle moves […]
-
Do You Need Stabilizers and Thickeners in Ninja Creami Recipes?
For most Ninja Creami recipes, you need some sort of stabilizer to thicken the ice cream and reduce the ice crystals. Most recipes that come in the inspiration guide with the machine use cream cheese as the stabilizer. But you don’t have to use cream cheese. There are a bunch of other options. The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to change your regular diet. Please consult with your physician before changing your diet. Thickeners/Stabilizers These are approximate measurements for a 16-ounce Ninja Creami recipe. The amount needed varies based on the other […]
-
Dry or Crumbly Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Here's How to Fix It
One of the most common “issues” with making ice cream in the Ninja Creami is that the consistency or texture can be very dry and crumbly, instead of creami. Don’t panic! It’s usually a really easy fix. Once you get the hang of how to fix it, your Ninja Creami creations will be creamy and smooth, just like you’d expect. This is probably the most common issue with Ninja Creami recipes. If your ice cream looks like this…don’t panic! It’s COMPLETELY normal and happens all of the time. It’s super easy to fix it so that it becomes nice and […]
-
How do you use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami?
The manual that comes with the Ninja Creami says that you cannot use frozen fruit in the machine. This can be confusing because, technically, you can use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. However, you have to follow a few rules when doing so. I’ve seen a lot of people on social media tossing frozen fruit chunks straight into the Ninja Creami and spinning it like it’s a blender. But the Creami isn’t a blender, and it’s not meant to be used like one. Even though some people have gotten lucky doing it that way, it can actually damage the […]
-
Ninja Creami Original Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
If you’re looking for the official Ninja Creami Original manuals, quick start guides, or inspiration guides, you’ve come to the right place! Usually, if you buy your Ninja Creami brand-new, it will come with a bunch of info in the box like the owner’s manual, inspiration guide, quick start guide, and a small recipe book. But if you lost yours or didn’t get the machine brand new, it probably didn’t come with this information. Sometimes it can be really hard to find what you’re looking for and it can take, what seems like, forever to actually find it. So I’ve […]









Kim says
I have some Velveeta I would like to use up. How would that work in this recipe?
Lauren Cardona says
I love Velveeta! You can add in the Velveeta at the end of the recipe, after pressure cooking, just as you would with the shredded cheese. I’m not sure if the amount would be the same or if you would only be using Velveeta or a combination of Velveeta and shredded cheese. Just keep adding cheese until it gets nice and thick and cheesy.