Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Jack Soup

I’m a huge fan of broccoli cheese soup, especially when pepper jack cheese is involved! I streamlined my old stove-top method to speed up the process using my Instant Pot to do most of the work, then I stir in copious amounts of shredded cheese, and a quick roux made on the stovetop to thicken the soup up.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 6 quart instant pot https://amzn.to/33rIs7L

• cheese grater https://amzn.to/3l81JBp

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Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Jack Soup

makes 4 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 cups diced onions

• 1 cup diced celery

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• 4 cups bite-size broccoli florets

• 3 cups chicken stock (try my homemade)

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups whole milk

• 12 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded

• 1 teaspoon dijon or spicy brown mustard

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Using the “sauté” function, place the butter and onions in the inner pot and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, about 3 or 4 minutes.

2. Add the celery and carrots and sauté for another couple of minutes, stirring frequently; press “cancel” on the instant pot to stop the sautéing process.

3. Add the broccoli florets and chicken stock to the inner pot and cover with lid (locked and vent set to “sealing”); press the “manual” or “pressure” button and select a cook time of 1 minute.

4. Manually release the pressure from the instant pot.

5. On the stovetop over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch skillet or 2-quart saucepan, then add 4 tablespoons of flour and whisk together until no dry flour remains; continue whisking for 3 or 4 minutes.

6. Slowly whisk the milk into the butter/flour mixture and continue whisking until the mixture reaches a full boil and thickens; remove from heat.

7. Pour the butter/flour/milk mixture into the instant pot; add the shredded cheese and mustard and stir until the cheese is completely melted.

8. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed.

Beanless Chili

Whether or not you’re cutting your carb intake, this no-bean chili recipe is delicious. The Rotel tomatoes add just the slightest hint of heat, but you can dial that heat level back by substituting regular diced tomatoes instead. For that matter, you could dial the heat level up by adding a little cayenne or jalapeño. Of course, we think it’s perfect as is. Give it a try and judge for yourself!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• dutch oven https://amzn.to/34ZmjiC

• ground beef tool https://amzn.to/34X4Y9L

• ro-tel tomatoes https://amzn.to/3lIk7St

• chili powder https://amzn.to/3brEDC3

• ground paprika https://amzn.to/31OZZGo

• ground cumin https://amzn.to/3lIKR5q

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Beanless Chili

makes 6 hearty servings (or many more if used to top hot dogs, baked potatoes, etc)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 pounds ground beef (or turkey)

• 1 1/2 cups diced onions

• 1 cup diced green bell pepper

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken stock (try my homemade)

• 20 ounces Rotel tomatoes

• 6 ounces tomato paste

• 2 tablespoons dried chili powder

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground paprika

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

• Garnish: sour cream, cheddar cheese, scallions, olives, avocado, cilantro, pico de gallo…

Directions

1. In a 6-quart or larger dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the onion and green bell pepper in the vegetable oil, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent.

2. Add the beef, salt, and pepper; continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the beef is crumbled and cooked through (no pink remains).

3. Add all the remaining ingredients and stir well to combine; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Serve with any number of toppings: sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, chopped scallions, black olives, fresh cilantro, pico de Gallo, etc.