Cheese soup is a creamy, rich soup that is often used as an ingredient in many recipes.
Cheddar, nacho, and beer cheese soups are some of the most popular varieties. While delicious, canned condensed cheese soups are highly processed and contain artificial ingredients.
Luckily, you can easily make homemade substitutes for canned cheese soups using just a few simple ingredients.
What is Cheese Soup?
Cheese soup is a thick, creamy soup made with cheese as the primary ingredient. There are many types of cheese soup including:
- Cheddar cheese soup - This is the most popular variety, made with cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and seasonings. It has a smooth, nutty flavor.
- Nacho cheese soup - Made with cheddar cheese and spices like chili powder and cumin. Great for nachos and Tex-Mex dishes.
- Beer cheese soup - Features beer as the liquid and has a sharp cheddar cheese flavor.
- Broccoli cheese soup - Contains broccoli florets and often chicken broth.
- Asiago cheese soup - Uses Italian asiago cheese for a rich, tangy flavor.
Cheese soup is often condensed, meaning most of the water content has been removed. This makes it extra thick and creamy. Condensed cheese soups are handy pantry ingredients to keep on hand.
Key Takeaway: Cheese soups like cheddar, nacho, and beer cheese contain cheese as the main ingredient and often use milk, broth, beer, and seasonings.
Why Make Homemade Cheese Soup?
While canned condensed cheese soups are convenient, homemade cheese soups have some advantages:
- Better flavor - Homemade cheese soup tastes fresher, richer, and more flavorful than canned versions which can taste overly processed.
- Healthier - Store-bought cheese soups are packed with preservatives, artificial flavors, and excess sodium. Homemade has wholesome ingredients and allows you to control what goes in.
- Cost savings - Making your own cheese soup is cheaper than buying canned. Just a few simple ingredients that you likely have on hand already.
- Control thickness - With homemade cheese soup, you can adjust the thickness to your liking by adding more or less liquid.
- Customize flavors - Jazz up cheese soup with unique ingredients like roasted garlic, sautéed onions, or spicy chilies. Get creative!
- Avoid food additives - Many people try to avoid ingredients like MSG, hydrogenated oils, and artificial colors found in store-bought cheese soups.
Making your own cheese soup substitute gives you a fresher, healthier, and more flavorful result for recipes!
How to Make Cheddar Cheese Soup
Cheddar cheese soup is one of the most versatile varieties that can stand in for any condensed cheese soup. Follow this easy homemade cheddar cheese soup recipe:
Cheddar Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking frequently until thickened.
- Remove from heat. Add shredded cheddar cheese and whisk vigorously until melted and smooth.
- Season with dry mustard, salt, and pepper.
Use this easy homemade cheddar cheese soup just as you would use canned condensed cheddar cheese soup in any recipe. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Key Takeaway: Making homemade cheddar cheese soup takes just minutes with simple ingredients like butter, flour, milk, cheese, and seasonings.
Nacho Cheese Soup Substitute
For a quick homemade nacho cheese soup substitute, add a few extra spices to the cheddar cheese soup recipe:
Nacho Cheese Soup Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese soup (above recipe)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Sliced jalapeños (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Follow the cheddar cheese soup recipe, adding in the chili powder, cumin, and cayenne with the shredded cheese. Garnish with sliced jalapeños. Use this zesty cheese soup just like you would use canned nacho cheese soup in Tex-Mex dishes like nachos, enchiladas, and chili.
Beer Cheese Soup
For an easy homemade beer cheese soup:
Beer Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 12 oz beer (lager or pale ale)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and beer. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Add shredded cheddar cheese and whisk continuously until melted and smooth.
- Season with dry mustard.
This hearty beer cheese soup makes a great soup on its own. Use it in place of canned beer cheese soup in dips and chilis.
Asiago Cheese Soup
For an Italian-style cheese soup with tangy flavor:
Asiago Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded asiago cheese
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in asiago cheese until melted.
- Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Use this bold asiago cheese soup in place of canned variety in pastas, risottos, and soups.
Broccoli Cheese Soup
For a lighter broccoli cheese soup:
Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in broth and milk. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until thick.
- Add broccoli florets and simmer 5 minutes until tender.
- Turn off heat. Add shredded cheese and garlic powder. Stir until cheese is melted.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Use this healthy broccoli cheese soup in place of canned condensed varieties.
Tips for the Best Homemade Cheese Soup
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded, which has anti-clumping agents that inhibit smooth melting.
- Cook over medium-low heat and stir constantly to prevent scorching.
- For ultra-smooth soups, blend with an immersion blender after cooking.
- Add cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or roasted garlic to boost flavor.
- For lower-fat versions, substitute milk with low-fat or fat-free varieties.
- Swap all-purpose flour for cornstarch if you need a gluten-free option.
- Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
With simple ingredients and easy techniques, you can create rich, crave-worthy cheese soups at home to use in place of canned varieties. Experiment with different cheese and seasoning combinations to make each batch your own.
FAQs
What's the best cheese to use for homemade cheese soup?
For the richest, creamiest texture, use good-melting semi-soft cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, Havarti, Gouda, or Gruyère. Avoid hard cheeses like parmesan which don't melt smoothly.
Can I use alternative milks like almond or coconut milk?
Yes, you can use dairy-free milks but avoid low-fat varieties. Full-fat coconut milk works well. The texture may be slightly thinner than with dairy milk.
Is cornstarch a good flour substitute for gluten-free homemade cheese soups?
Absolutely! Cornstarch is an excellent one-to-one gluten-free substitute for all-purpose flour in cheese soups and can help provide thickness.
Should I use already shredded cheese or block cheese?
Block cheese that you shred yourself is highly recommended, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that inhibit smooth melting. Freshly shredded melts better.
Can I freeze leftover homemade cheese soup?
Yes, cheese soup freezes very well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Conclusion
Homemade cheese soups made with simple real food ingredients are flavorful, healthy substitutes for canned condensed varieties.
From rich cheddar to zesty nacho and bold beer cheese soups, the options are endless.