One Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Dumplings.
Keeping it simple, but cozy today with this One Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Dumplings. Taking two classics…broccoli cheddar soup, and creamy dumpling soup, and combining them into one. It’s the best of both soups! A creamy broccoli cheddar soup base topped with light and airy dumplings that make every bite so delicious. This is a cozy recipe that’s one pot and done, perfect for all the cool fall nights ahead.
Now that we’ve officially, officially entered into autumn, I’m breaking out all the coziest, warming recipes. I love spring and summer meals, I do. BUT I think we all know by now that fall is my season. Kind of cheesy, but that’s the truth. My fall recipes are my most favorite!
As we move into cooler days I wanted to be sure to give you guys a good mix of hearty yet light recipes. I want there to be something for everyone, whatever mood you might happen to be in. I don’t know about you guys, but my mood (and the weather) always affect what I end up craving for dinner. If it’s a bright sunny autumn day, I might make something a little lighter, like my go-to fall harvest roasted butternut squash salad. But if it’s cold and dreary out, I head to the slow cooker dinners or easy, warming soups.
And that’s where I’m at today. These moodier days with cooler temps have left me craving that first bowl of autumn soup. Enter this one pot broccoli cheddar and dumplings recipe. It’s soup, but then there are dumplings too…and it’s every bit as delicious as it sounds.
The History.
We all know the story…me reminiscing on my love for Panera’s broccoli-cheddar soup on fall days back in Cleveland. Year after year I’ve shared countless recipes inspired by that favorite soup. There has been my go-to pumpkin beer broccoli cheddar soup, the lighter broccoli cheddar and zucchini soup, broccoli cheddar chicken and rice casserole, and even a broccoli cheddar cobbler (which isn’t the prettiest but trust me, it’s good).
All of which are some of my very favorite recipes.
And then there are today’s dumplings. Well, my love for this recipe runs deep. It’s the absolute coziest, and it’s a combination of two of my favorite fall recipes, cheesy broccoli soup and creamy, herby dumplings (that melt in your mouth and are just delicious).
The quick and easy details.
The recipe starts out a lot like your classic broccoli cheddar recipe. Cook up some onions, add carrots, celery, and plenty of fresh thyme. Now add in a good amount of vegetable broth and lots of broccoli. Let the soup simmer until the broccoli becomes tender, which isn’t very long. Once the broccoli is tender, I like to puree it to get some of the soup creamy, but still leave chunks of broccoli throughout.
The one thing I left out of this recipe is the chicken. I wanted this to be all about the broccoli soup and the dumplings. But if you’d like to add chicken, I actually have a recipe for that here.
While the soup is simmering away, make the dumplings, which are kind of the star. Oh these dumplings, they’re so delicious and extra special. Light, airy, and a little cheesy too.
In the past, I’ve found dumplings to be a tad bland, so I decided to bump up the flavor with the addition of fresh sage (which is my favorite autumn herb), buttermilk, and a little bit of parmesan cheese. The addition of fresh sage adds a warmth to each dumpling that’s truly delicious.
The dumplings get cooked directly in the soup, making this a one pot and done kind of recipe. This is a quick-cooking autumn dinner that everyone will love. You could even use it for holiday entertaining…which yes, I am already thinking ahead to. I’m excited for this year’s holiday season, it’s feeling like it will be an extra special one!
I’ve yet to meet anyone who hasn’t loved a bowl full of this soup. It’s warm, cozy, and perfect for eating while snuggled up on the couch, wrapped in a cozy blanket watching your favorite Halloween movie.
It truly does not get better. Happy fall guys! 🍁 🍂
Looking for other cozy autumn recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Butternut Squash and Brie Soup with Crispy Pancetta
Lemony Garlic Chicken and Orzo Soup
Flaky Broccoli Cheddar Soup Mini Pies
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
Lastly, if you make this, Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken In White Wine Pan Sauce with Mashed Cauliflower be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
One Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Dumplings.
A cozy delicious recipe that’s one pot and done, perfect for the upcoming cool fall nights ahead!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 sweet onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 6-7 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 3 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
-
1. Heat the olive oil and butter together in a large soup pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook 3-5 minutes. Add the carrots and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the broth. Add the broccoli, bay leaves, nutmeg, and cayenne, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
4. Meanwhile, make the dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the buttermilk, parmesan cheese, and sage, mixing until just combined.
5. Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Transfer 3/4 of the soup to a blender and blend until the broccoli is finely chopped. Return the soup to the pot and bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Drop a heaping tablespoon of the dough into the soup, adding about 6 dumplings to the soup at a time. Cover, and cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through and puffy.
6. Carefully move the dumplings aside, or if easier, remove dumpling from the soup, and stir in the milk and cheddar cheese, cooking until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Ladle the soup and dumplings into bowls and serve topped with pepper. Enjoy!
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Healthy Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins.
This looks great! I can’t wait to try it! So in total, how many dumplings should you get?
Hey Jessica,
You should get about 10-15 dumplings. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
This looks absolutely delicious! Thank you for you recipes! Can’t wait to try it! Can we expect more recipes with plums and pears? Once autumn has officially arrived🍁
Hey Leona,
Yes hoping to share some soon! Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
Could you add the cheese BEFORE you add the dumplings? That way you don’t have to stir around the dumplings?
Hey Erin,
Unfortunately that won’t work because the dumplings will not cook correctly. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
You mentioned adding fresh sage in the dumplings but I don’t see it in the ingredients or directions.
Hi Bre! The recipe is fixed. The sage gets added in step 4. I hope this helps! Please let me know if there is anything I can help with! xTieghan
I don’t see anything in recipe about sage, other than your comment about addi g safe to biscuits? Could you please verify. TIA
Hi Lisa! It goes in step 4! Sorry about the confusion, the recipe is fixed! I hope you love this one! xTieghan
Hello Tieghan,
You spoke about sage in the dumplings but it’s not in the recipe, how much do you use? Looks amazing, never tried making a broccoli soup but might now!
Hey Keri,
You will need 1 tablespoon of chopped sage. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
So fallsy and cozy! Can’t wait to make this one!
Yes!! So glad you like this Jen! Thank you! xTieghan
Oh my gosh, this looks *so so good* — and thank you very much for the one-pot solution! Cozy and easy…a great combination!
Thank you so much Michelle!! xTieghan
I know this is good because I have made the Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Soup with Dumplings before and oh my gosh it was so good! It just makes A Lot of soup for.only two people! We did good though, going through it, lol! I would recommend anyone to try either version- you won’t be disappointed. Thank you for all the great recipes 😀
Thank you so much Lou! I am so glad this turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
LOVED. THIS. SO. MUCH. The perfect spin on the infamous Panera broccoli cheddar soup. The recipe was super easy to follow even with my “winging it” cooking mentality. Want more carrots? Add more carrots. Want more cheese in the dumplings? Add more cheese. WANT MORE DUMPLINGS? ADD MORE DUMPLINGS. It’s super forgiving and delicious. Thank you!!!
Haha so happy this turned out so well for you, Shailyn! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
The milk gets added in both steps number 5 and 6… which one is correct?
Hey Eva,
So sorry for the confusion, but the milk is only added in step 6. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
My family can be somewhat picky but he loves your food too so that’s saying something! Keep it up! Can’t wait for more damn delicious!
Haha thank you so much! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
We don’t have a blender but we have an immersion blender. Is there a way to use the immersion blender instead?
Hey Lauryn,
Yes an immersion blend will work with this recipe. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
This looks beyond good, your recipes never fail to thrill our tastebuds!! Quick question, and don’t shoot me for asking😬 but can you substitute a low fat version of the milk, buttermilk and cheese or will it lose too much in flavor? Thx!
Hey Kathy,
Low fat substitutes will work:) Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
Mmm! Sooo good! I just made this for lunch and it was a hit! You can easily stir the cheese in after the dumplings cook too. I was a little worried about that but there is plenty of room to stir. I think you could use less cheese but that’s just my preference. Overall very delicious and filling.
I am glad this turned out well for you, Holly! If there is anything I can help with, please let me know! xTieghan
Just made this tonight and it was delicious!!!!! Perfect fall soup. Made a sub as I didn’t have enough sharp cheddar did half and half sharp and smoked.
Yum! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Becky! Thank you! xTieghan
I didn’t know what to make for dinner last night and I saw your IG story for this recipe. I happened to have everything on hand to make this soup so I gave it a try. It was delicious! My husband and I loved the kick from the cayenne and the dumplings are light and fluffy. I used my immersion blender to purée the soup.
Sounds amazing! Thank you so much for trying this Katie!! xTieghan
Making this tonight! In the post you mention that it starts with celery but I don’t see it in the ingredients or recipe instructions. Is it part of the recipe? Thanks!
Hey Allison,
So sorry for the confusion, there is not celery in this recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! This sounds amazing!!! Quick question would rosemary be an okay substitution for the sage in the dumplings? I have everything else but that on hand. Thanks for sharing such yummy food with the world!
Hey Shelly,
Yes, rosemary would be great to use! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi!!! This recipe is amazing. I just devoured a bowl. I definitely want to freeze most of it. Do you think I should freeze the dumplings separate so they don’t soak up the soup? Thanks so much!! Love everything you do!
Hey Krista,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! Yes, I would freeze the dumplings separate from the soup. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I tried this soup a couple nights ago when the weather turned nice and chilly. The only deviations were added chopped celery. My captive recipe “crash test dummies” had nothing but raves and thumbs up for it. I certainly agree. 5 Stars for this delicious, hearty soup! The only thing i’ll do differently next time, and there certainly will be many next times, is add egg to the dumpling mix. Without some egg, it seems they kind of start dissolving into the soup. Since the dumplings are a major factor in the wonderfulness of this recipe, I’d like them to survive longer and still be there for lunch the next day.
So perfect for a chilly evening! I am really glad this turned out so well for you all, Linda! Thank you for trying this! xTieghan
Excellent, easy-to-follow recipe! I adore the fact that it was all done in one pot – made it perfect for a busy weeknight! And those dumplings! Delicious!
Thank you Kate! I am so happy this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Perfect cozy recipe for cooler days. It is quick and easy to make and my family loved it! Thanks for another great recipe!
Thank you Sarah! I am so happy this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This was excellent and loved by the whole family! We will definitely be making this again soon 🙂
Thank you so much Ashley! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This soup had awesome flavor, however, mine didn’t get as thick and creamy as I would have liked. I think next time I will try reducing the vegetable stock by 1-2 cups initially and then add more broth when I add the milk to thin the soup if needed.
Great! Please let me know if there is anything I can help with, Lauren! Thank you for trying this! xTieghan
Hello! For dumplings, do you add six, let them cook, and then remove before you add in another six to cook?
Hey Morrisa,
Yes that is correct:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this tonight. It was absolutely delicious! My husband loved it so much, he had a second bowl and he usually complains when I make soup. This one is fantastic and a definite keeper for many years to come! Thank you!
Wow that is amazing! Thank you for trying this one, Jen! xTieghan
So delicious! Mine turned out a little too thick. Could it be because I didn’t blend long enough, or if I should use 7 cups vs 6 cups of chicken broth. Thanks for the awesome recipe!!
Hey Ru,
Thanks for trying the recipe! Either of those could affect the thickness:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this last night and it was AMAZING! In your post you mention celery but it was not in the recipe. Definitely doesn’t need it though. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thank you so much Erica! xTieghan
Is there a way to make soup earlier in the day and maybe make the dumplings into biscuits? Haha trying to meal plan with kids and soccer practice. 🙃 have loved everything I’ve tried making of yours! So excited for this one!
Hey Ashton,
I would recommend trying this recipe: https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-broccoli-cheddar-cobbler/
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi there – can heavy cream be substituted for whole milk? Thanks!
Hey Olivia,
Yes totally fine to use! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Delish! I used dry herbs as I was too lazy to go to the store. Turned out great. Super easy to make, great as leftovers as well.
I am so happy this turned out so well for you! Thank you! xTieghan
FANTASTIC! Made it exactly according to recipe. Love the hint of cayenne. Not too spicy, even for my little kids. The dumplings were a hit. I made a double batch for 7 people and none of it went to waste. We ate it for lunch the very next day.
I am so happy to hear that, Savannah! Thank you! xTieghan
I just made this and it’s to die for. I texted everyone I know to make it… RIGHT NOW. It’s perfect comfort food. I will definitely be making this again.
Thank you Sierra! I am so happy you enjoyed this one! xTieghan
So delicious! Made with cauliflower instead of broccoli trying to use up what we had before the hurricane. So delicious! Ultimate comfort food.
Thank you so much Sarah! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made this tonight for my family and it was delicious (just like all your recipes!)!
Thank you Michelle! xTieghan
MAKE THIS. It is amazing! Just the right amount of spices, veggies, and cheese. I subbed out carrots and added in squash (hubs won’t eat carrots) and it was so creamy and delicious. One piece of advice when cooking this delicious meal…MAKE DOUBLE THE DUMPLINGS! You won’t regret it. My hubby and I were fighting over the last one (I won b/c I cooked dinner). Another HBH winner! 🙂
I am so happy you loved this one, Emily! Thank you! xTieghan
This is really delicious!
Thank you Madeline! xTieghan
I love this recipe! I’ve made it twice in two weeks, and I do have to say that the first time I made it, I didn’t reserve enough liquids in the pot when transferring to blend, so making the dumplings were challenging with such thick soup, but it still came out absolutely delicious. The second time I made it though, it was perfect (I also used closer to 8 cups of vegetable broth)!
I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Brittany! Thank you so much!! xTieghan
Can you use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs?
Hey Brooke,
Yes totally fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan
Hi! This looks amazing! Is it possible to have this soup left over? Will the dumplings keep well in the fridge for a couple of days? Thank you! 🙂
Hey Emma,
You could totally have leftovers, I would just store the dumplings separately. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you think the recipe would still work just as well if I used oat/ almond milk instead of whole?
Hey Kimberly,
Yes that will work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
THIS RECIPE IS EVERYTHING!! Unbelievably creamy, so smooth and warm and delightful! I am wondering the best way to store the dumplings, in the soup or in a separate container?
Thank you for this tasty recipe!!
Hey Shelby,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! I would store the dumplings separately. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! This looks SO GOOD. Do you think I could make this with gluten free all purpose flour – would it work or do you think the gluten is needed? Thank you!!
Hey Melissa,
I would recommend using Cup4cup GF flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Looks amazing! Could I do this with gluten free all purpose flour or would it not turn out? Thank you!
Oops! Accidentally posted twice about gluten free flour. Thanks for the answer – can’t wait to make this!
This was an amazing recipe, we had it tonight and it was a crowd pleaser. Curious if you have any tips for the best way to store the left overs with the dumplings?
Hey Angela,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! I would recommend storing the dumplings separately from the soup. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
More recipes with these kind of dumplings please!! I made it for my family and we all ate it on a rainy afternoon then only a bowl of it was left!! On the next day, POOF!! It was all gone! It’s just too good!! My family especially my younger siblings didn’t even realize that there were veggies in it!! My little brother asked for more dumplings but every single bit of it was gone!! It’s really warm and refreshing on the pallate! Anyone who hasn’t tried this recipe is totally missing out!! Love your recipes and always enjoy watching your stories on instagram!! xoxo
Hi Janelle! I am so happy this soup turned out os amazing for you all! Thank you for trying this one! xTieghan
Delicious! My husband just said that this is LITERALLY the best flavored broth we’ve ever made at home. I did get a little mixed up at the end and added BOTH cheeses to the dumplings but that’s not a bad thing, right?
Wow that is so amazing! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you both, Jessie! Thank you! xTieghan
Made this tonight with leftover roasted broccoli and some good white cheddar. I halved it and it’s green, but so creamy and delicious on this cold Friday night. Perfect to warm up after walking my pup. Thanks for another great recipe!
Thank you Christine! So happy this turned out so amazing for you, Christine! xTieghan
Would this work with gluten free flour?
Hey Torrey,
Yes you can use an equal amount of GF flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was AMAZING! We had to make some substitutions / not use the spices we didn’t have but it was still so flavorful. We used half the cheese amount to make it healthier and it was great. So so good.
Thank you Alex! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This soup was great, but I’d definitely use the 7 cups of veggie broth. I also may have used more veggies than was called for so that might be my fault haha! But either way it was delicious!
Thank you so much Hailey! xTieghan
This was really good but my dumplings weren’t. I misunderstood the recipe and cooked all at once for 10 minutes and they weren’t very fluffy. Do you think if I cook 6 at a time for 8-10 mins each then it’ll fix the non-fluffiness?
Hey Kate,
So sorry for the confusion, yes if you do 6 at a time you will have better results. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Is it weird that I added chicken? I followed the directions from your sage biscuit chicken soup for cooking the chicken into it… it turned out amazing!!
Hey Hannah,
Not weird at all!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try:) xTieghan
Gonna make this tonight! Yum! Could I substitute milk for coconut milk? Or what non dairy do you recommend?
Hey Haley,
I would use full fat canned coconut milk. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Oh my greatness was this incredible!!! My whole family loved it, it was simple to make and thank you for the vegetarian option.
I am so happy this turned out so well for you, Mary Kate! xTieghan
2 for 2!!
My second night in a row with a HUGE HIT from Halfbakedharvest.com
Thank you thank you!
It took me about an hour from start to finish, but was still quite a fast.
It was rich, creamy and absolutely DELICIOUS!
There were 4 of us eating and we demolished those dumplings.
During the final phase of cooking (adding milk and cheese), I removed all the dumplings into a hot, buttered cast iron skillet, sprinkled about 1/4 of the shredded cheese onto it and put under the broiler for 5 minutes while I added and cooked the milk and cheese to the soup. It made the dumplings a bit crispy on the bottom and top which was nice.
My biggest dilemma now is which recipe do I do TONIGHT?!!!
Hi Wai! I am so happy you have been loving this and other recipes of mine!! Thank you so much for trying them! What about some pesto pasta alla vodka?! xTieghan
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/spicy-pesto-pasta-alla-vodka/
I wasnt a fan of the consistency of the soup, it was very grainy. I was concerned with that from the beginning because the soup didn’t start with a roux. I guess I was right.
Hey Danielle,
You are correct, the soup should not be grainy, is there something I can help with? Let me know! xTieghan
Can’t wait to make this soup! No buttermilk at the store. What would be the best substitute for these dumplings? I have milk, heavy cream, and sour cream…
Hey Amanda,
Whole milk or heavy cream would work well here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I’m just sitting down to have my soup for dinner. It is so tasty I had to stop eating to tell you how much I love this recipe. I’m a huge broccoli soup fan and am always looking for the best new broccoli soup recipe to try and make it a keeper. This one is at the top of my list. Also, the cherry on top is the super yummy dumpling. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us! Happy New Year!
Hey Michelle,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
I absolutely love your recipes and cook them for my family regularly. Do you think this recipe could be made using an instant pot?
Thank you!
Hey Audra,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I have not tested this recipe in the instant pot, you could certainly give it a try. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Started making this without properly checking what ingredients I have (the usual) but it still worked out! Kefir worked as a great replacement for milk.
So delicious, next time I want to try with Fresh herbs as you suggested!
Hey Sarah,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
It’s currently a balmy 12 degrees in northern Minnesota….this soup was perfect for tonight! Absolutely delicious
Hey Tricia,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Hello! Is there a version of this recipe for the instant pot
Hey Cori,
Sorry I have never tested this recipe in the instant pot, but you could certainly give it a try! I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Your recipe isn’t clear in a few spots about turning the temperature down from boiling. Both in step 3 (no step 2?) and step 5 I’m assuming you should turn the temperature down when you cover the pot and when you finish cooking the dumplings. Plus I would assume you can’t leave the cooked dumplings in while adding new ones. Ultimately it turned out pretty good, but the dumplings were under cooked (I even cooked them 5 minutes longer than the recipe said).
Hey Alex,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry for any confusion! Have the best day! xTieghan