Ingredients Needed

• avocado oil spray or olive oil spray
• 16 ounces ground pork or see suggestions under “Substitutions & Variations” for other ground meat options
• salt to taste
• 12 ounces coleslaw mix (4 1/2 cups)
• 16 ounces frozen riced cauliflower or fresh (4 1/2 cups)
• 1/3 cup coconut aminos or tamari sauce or soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced (finely chopped) fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen shelled edamame (optional) for the texture, protein, and crunch

What is Coleslaw Mix?

This recipe is made with a bag of coleslaw mix to make it fast and easy! You’ll find this mix in the produce department at just about any grocery store.

Look for a mix of pre-shredded green and red cabbage and matchstick carrots. The coleslaw mix shouldn’t include a dressing packet, but if it does toss the dressing. You only need the veggies.

Coleslaw mix is great to use for stir fry, making slaw for tacos, and egg roll bowls.

What is Riced Cauliflower?

Riced cauliflower is simply cauliflower that’s been chopped finely until coarse, resembling “rice.” You’ll find cauliflower rice in the freezer section and sometimes the fresh produce department. I buy the frozen option from Costco.

The riced cauliflower adds extra veggies and “heartiness” to this recipe. It also makes the recipe naturally low carb.

You may also make your own riced cauliflower by pulsing cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble coarse “rice.” See how I do this in my cauliflower fried rice recipe.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Saute the Ground Pork

• Spritz a large skillet with oil. This will prevent the meat from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
• Over medium-high heat, on the stove-top, heat the skillet.
• Once hot, add the ground pork.
• Sprinkle the pork with salt (1-2 generous pinches of salt) and saute for 5 minutes, or until almost cooked through (almost all pink is gone).

Step 2: Add Riced Cauliflower

• Add the riced cauliflower and add a pinch of salt, again, stir to combine with the pork.
• Continue to saute for 5 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent sticking to bottom of the skillet.

Step 3: Add The Rest of The Ingredients

• Add the coleslaw mix to the skillet, along with a pinch of salt, then add the minced ginger and garlic. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
• Add the coconut aminos and continue to saute, stirring often, until the cabbage wilts down (about 4-5 minutes).
• Add the edamame and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Taste and add more salt, if needed. The amount of salt added will depend on the coconut aminos or soy sauce used and your taste preference.

Step 4: Serve

• Spoon into bowls (or on plates). Serve as-is.
• Or, serve on top of cooked brown rice or white rice (make the rice in the Instant Pot), cooked ramen or soba noodles, or spooned into butter or bibb lettuce for lettuce wraps.
• Add any toppings desired (see below).

Topping Ideas

Enjoy this easy recipe spooned into bowls or a plate and enjoy with or without toppings. If you want to add toppings, here are a few of my favorites…

• Chopped Radishes: I love to use radishes for a crunchy topping (how to store & use fresh radishes). Chop the radishes, sprinkle with salt, and sprinkle over each bowl.
• Chopped Cilantro: Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top. (How to store and use fresh cilantro.)
• Sliced Green Onions: Add sliced green onions over top.
• Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds over top.
• Hot Sauce: Add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce for extra flavor.
• Hardboiled Egg: If you have hardboiled eggs from meal prep in your fridge, cut a hardboiled egg in half and add to the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and sesame seeds, and, if desired, hot sauce.
• Fried Egg: Top the bowl with a fried egg. The jammy, runny yolk pairs perfectly when cut with the bowl ingredients.

How to Store & Reheat 

• Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat the leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or on the stove-top in a greased skillet until warm (3-5 minutes).

How to Meal Prep

Not only does this recipe make a quick and healthy dinner, it’s also great to prep in advance and enjoy for lunch or dinner throughout the week.

• Prepare the recipe as provided.
• After cooking, spoon into individual meal prep containers.
• Reheat in the microwave for an easy lunch or dinner.

For school lunch, reheat the egg roll bowl ingredients, then spoon into thermos for a hot lunch. Here’s how to pack a hot lunch and more easy meal ideas.

What to Serve With This Egg Roll Bowl Recipe?

Enjoy this delicious recipe as-is for a main dish, or add a side.

• Rice: Add rice on the side. Cook white or brown rice in the instant Pot while you prepare the recipe.
• Noodles: Serve with ramen or soba noodles, which you can cook while the egg roll ingredients are being prepared in the skillet.
• Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the cooked unstuffed egg roll ingredients into butter or bibb lettuce to make lettuce wraps.
• Side Salad: Add a green salad with homemade dressing on the side.
• Fruit: Add your favorite seasonal fruit on the side, like oranges, pineapple, apples, grapes. Or a mixed berry salad.

If you love this recipe, you’ll also love my hot & delicious chai latte, iced chai latte, turmeric latte, homemade hot cocoa, and pumpkin spice latte.

We just spent two weeks in India (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) and enjoyed A LOT of chai.

In India, masala chai is made with tea, sugar, warm spices, and milk and served in either small paper cups or terra cotta cups. This was the best part about India: endless chai on every corner!

Years ago, I created my famous homemade chai latte recipe.

I wanted to see how my American version (which is based on the Starbucks chai concentrate) compared to authentic Indian chai.

The verdict: My recipe is spot on in terms of spices and flavor. Chai, in India, is served sweet with a spicy side due to the spices which are boiled with a bit of water and milk and then strained.

In India, no chai syrup or pre-made mixes are used. That’s only an American local coffee shop or Starbucks chai latte thing. And let’s be honest, the mixes don’t always taste the best.

In the past, I’ve shared how to make an iced chai tea latte and my version of a hot Starbucks chai tea latte. Btw, chai means tea. So it’s just a “chai latte.”

Today, I’ll show you how to make the foundation for both an iced and hot chai latte: my homemade chai concentrate recipe.

Ingredients Needed

• 2 cups water
• 2 black tea bags like English breakfast, OR 4 grams of loose-leaf tea leaves
• 2 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 2 TB pure maple syrup or honey

Equipment Needed

• 1 medium saucepan for boiling the spices and tea
• fine mesh sieve for straining the spices from the concentrate

How to Make Homemade Chai Concentrate

Step 1: Bring the water and spices to a boil.

In a small saucepan, bring the water and spices to a boil. Whisk the spices in the water. Once the water boils, turn off the heat and allow the spices to steep in the water for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add tea bags and steep for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, turn the heat back on and add the black tea bags and maple syrup. Return to a slight boil (the goal is a hot liquid for steeping). Once boiling, turn off the heat. Steep the tea bags in the water and spices for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Strain the tea and spices

Remove the tea bags and strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer.

Step 4: Store the concentrate

Place the concentrate in a storage jar with a lid (I use a glass mason jar). The homemade concentrate, full of so much flavor, is ready to use or store for later! I’ll show you how to use this concentrate below.

Video Tutorial For Concentrate and Latte

How to Make a Hot Chai Latte With This Concentrate

To make a hot chai latte, you’ll need milk. Use any dairy milk (whole milk, skim milk, etc.) or a plant-based milk (almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or coconut milk).

With your milk and concentrate, here’s how to make a latte, step-by-step…

• Step 1: In a small saucepan, bring milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon to a slight boil (the sides of the milk will begin to bubble), stirring often. Once the sides of the milk begin to bubble, remove the pan from heat.
• Step 2: Using an immersion blender, blend the milk until it’s frothy. Alternatively, use a fork to vigorously whisk and froth the milk.
• Step 3: Pour 1/2 cup chai concentrate into a mug. Slowly pour in the frothed milk. Sprinkle the top with an extra pinch of cinnamon, if desired.
• Step 4: Serve warm.

How to Make an Iced Chai Latte With This Concentrate

To make an iced chai latte, you’ll need your choice of milk (plant-based or dairy) and ice cubes. The chai concentrate should be fully cooled (and chilled in the fridge).

With your milk, ice, and concentrate, here’s how to make an iced latte, step-by-step…

• Step 1: Fill an 8-ounce drinking glass with ice cubes.
• Step 2: Pour 1/2 cup of the chilled concentrate over the ice cubes. I recommend using a small strainer, positioned over the glass, to pour the chilled concentrate through the strainer and into the glass. As the concentrate chills, some of the spices (that weren’t filtered out when making the concentrate) and sweetener can clump together, so the strainer will catch this.
• Step 3: Add 1/3 cup of cold milk of choice (dairy milk or dairy-free milk) to the concentrate: vanilla or plain almond milk, coconut milk, or whole milk, etc.
• Serve cold.

How many lattes can you make this concentrate?

• This recipe makes 2 cups of concentrate.
• You’ll use 1/2 cup of homemade chai concentrate at a time to make a latte.
• You can make up to 4 lattes with this 2 cups of concentrate.
• The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to make more lattes.

How to Store & Reheat 

• Store the chai concentrate (once fully cool), in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Reheat the chai concentrate in the microwave or a saucepan on the stove-top. Then warm the milk and make a hot latte. Or, use the cold concentrate to make an iced latte.

If you love this recipe, you’ll also love these easy ground beef recipes: ground beef tacos, sheet pan mini meatloaves, Instant Pot bolognese, ground beef taquitos, Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs, Instant Pot meatballs and sauce, and stuffed peppers.

Simple Ingredients Needed

This easy quesadilla recipe makes 4 quesadillas using pantry staple ingredients.

• 1lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 fat content)
• 1 package of taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup water
• 4 large flour tortillas (6 or 8-inch size)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Spray cooking oil (I use avocado oil spray)

My favorite tortilla brands: Siete almond flour, Maria & Ricardo, and Vista Hermosa. Or make your own homemade tortillas.

Pro Cheese Tip: You can use pre-shredded cheese (cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend); however, I recommend buying cheese in a block and grating at home. This is not only cheaper, but also tastes better and melts perfectly. Or, use sliced cheese. You’ll need 1-2 slices per quesadilla (4-8 slices total).

Equipment

• 1 large skillet for browning the ground beef
• 1 sheet pan, baking sheet, or cookie sheet for cooking the quesadillas in the oven

How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning

I use a taco seasoning packet to make this ground beef quesadilla recipe, but you can also make homemade taco seasoning. To make your own taco seasoning, mix together…

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

How to Make Ground Beef Quesadillas

Turn on your oven broiler to medium heat (400F).

Step 1: Brown & Season Ground Beef

• Spritz a large skillet with cooking oil (I use avocado oil spray). Or add a drizzle of olive oil.
• Turn on the stove-top burner to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break up the ground beef with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring every couple of minutes, for 5 minutes.
• Once mostly cooked, with just a bit of pink left in the ground beef, drain grease/fat from the skillet.
• Evenly sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef, then add 1/3 cup of water. Stir the seasoning and water into the ground beef until well incorporated.
• Simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the water has cooked out. Turn off the heat.

Step 2: Assemble Quesadillas

• Place the tortillas on a sheet pan.
• Sprinkle cheese (2 tablespoons) over half of each tortilla.
• Add 1/2 cup cooked ground beef mixture over the top of the cheese, followed by 2 more tablespoons of cheese over top the ground beef. Fold each tortilla half over the filling.

Step 3: Broil the Quesadillas for 3-4 Minutes on Each Side

• Spritz the top of each quesadilla with oil (just a spritz). This is how you make a crispy tortilla!
• Place the quesadillas in the oven, under the broiler.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, or until the tops of the tortillas appear golden and crisp.
• Remove from the oven and use a spatula to flip the tortillas. You shouldn’t need to spritz this side with oil.
• Place the quesadillas back under the broiler and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and crisp and the cheese has fully melted.
• Remove from the oven and enjoy warm!
• Enjoy whole, or allow the quesadillas to cool for a few minutes (about 3-4 minutes), then use a sharp knife to cut the quesadillas into 2-4 pieces.

Topping Ideas

Enjoy the quesadillas as-is, or here are great options for toppings…

• salsa, pico de gallo, salsa verde, or fermented salsa
• sour cream
• chopped fresh cilantro (how to store cilantro so it stays fresh for weeks)
• chopped radishes (finely chop, then sprinkle with lime juice and salt)
• cilantro-lime slaw
• avocado slices
• guacamole

How to Store & Reheat 

• Fridge: Store leftover quesadillas in an air-tight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat the quesadillas in the microwave or the stove-top until warm.
• Leftover Ground Beef: If you have leftover cooked ground beef (or make a big batch of the meat by doubling the recipe), store the meat in an air-tight container for up to 4-5 days. Use the meat mixture to make taco salads, more quesadillas, tacos, or taquitos.

What to Serve With a Beef & Cheese Quesadilla

• Instant Pot Cuban Black Bean Soup
• Instant Pot Black Beans or Pinto Beans
• Instant Pot Rice (stir in chopped fresh cilantro and lime juice after cooking for a Chipotle-style rice)
• Individual Fruit or Fruit Salad
• Tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole
• Cilantro-Lime Slaw
• Kale Slaw
• Roasted Frozen Vegetables (like broccoli)
• Roasted Green Beans & Carrots
• Roasted Sweet Potato
• Green Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

If you love easy Instant Pot recipes like this hearty sauce, you’ll also love: Instant Pot chicken fried rice, Instant Pot beef vegetable soup, Instant Pot meatballs and spaghetti sauce, and Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs.

Ingredients Needed to Make The Best Bolognese Recipe

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (preferably 85/15 or 90/10 fat content)
• 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 3 bay leaves
• 1- 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
• 1-6 ounce can of tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (any variety) or beef broth
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

How to Make: Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Saute the Vegetables and Meat

• Turn the Instant Pot to Saute (press the sauté setting button on the front of the pot).
• Once hot, add olive oil. Add the vegetables, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and saute until the onion begins to turn translucent.
• Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through.
• Add all seasonings (except the bay leaves) and stir to combine well.
• Cancel saute mode.
• Make sure there aren’t any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan as this will cause a burn notice while pressure cooking. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits left on the bottom of the pot before proceeding with step 2.

Step 2: Add the Tomato Paste, Crushed Tomatoes, Wine, and Bay Leaves

• Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
• Then add the crushed tomatoes and wine or broth to the top of the mixture. DO NOT stir. Add the bay leaves.

Step 3: Pressure Cook for 20 Minutes

• Place the lid on the Instant Pot (or electric pressure cooker of choice), turning to seal the top on the pot.
• Turn the pressure valve on top of the lid to Sealed.
• Set the pot to Manual/Pressure Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Natural Pressure Release for 10 Minutes, Then Quick Release

• When cooking is complete, let pressure release naturally from the pot for 10 minutes (no need to do anything).
• Then release the remaining pressure by turning the valve from Sealed to Venting. The remaining pressure will spew from the top of the lid. Once the pressure has been fully released, open the lid.

Step 5: Remove Bay Leaves & Taste Test

• Remove bay leaves and stir. Add the fresh parsley, and stir again.
• Taste and salt accordingly (adding more salt if needed). If you add pecorino romano cheese or parmesan cheese, these ingredients will also add to the saltiness of the dish.

How to Serve With Pasta

When we were in Italy last year, we took a pasta-making class where we learned how to properly serve pasta and sauce. Turns out, I’ve been doing this wrong for years.

Here’s how to authentically serve pasta with my version of traditional bolognese sauce…

• Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is pressure cooking, cook the pasta of choice on the stove-top. I recommend a thicker pasta that will hold up to thick sauces like this recipe: a wide pasta like tagliatelle is the traditional choice, spaghetti, or a tube-shaped pasta.
• Separate Pasta From Water: When the pasta is al-dente (cooked, but with a firm bite), use a fine mesh sieve strainer to remove the pasta from the cooking water. Do NOT dump the water.
• Reserve 1/2 Cup Pasta Cooking Water: Use a measuring cup to scoop out some of the pasta water from the pot (about 1/2 cup).
• Add Pasta & Cooking Water to Sauce: When the sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta directly to the Instant Pot, along with a small amount of the pasta water. The starchy water will bind the sauce to the pasta.
• Toss to Combine: Combine the pasta and sauce, adding more water if needed.
• Serve: Now, toss the remaining pasta water and serve the spaghetti bolognese perfectly married with the pasta in bowls or plates.

How to Store & Reheat 

• Store the leftover sauce (with or without pasta) in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days in the fridge.
• Or freeze the sauce in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat in the microwave for a couple of minutes, until warm. Or, warm on the stove-top in a skillet.

What to Serve With This Sauce

Whether you’re serving the sauce with pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash, here are some side dishes to serve with this delicious recipe.

• Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing
• Frozen Roasted Vegetables (like broccoli)
• Caprese Salad (fresh mozzarella, basil, and sliced tomatoes with a sprinkle of salt, drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar)
• Garlic Bread
• Warm Sourdough Bread
• Panzanella Salad

Ingredients Needed

Main Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Greek yogurt, 170 grams (Plain yogurt is my preference since it doesn’t have any added sugar. Vanilla yogurt also works.)
• 1/2 serving chocolate protein powder (my favorite brands: chocolate whey protein from Tera’s Whey and chocolate dairy-free protein powder from Faster Way)

Optional Extra Flavorings:

• 1/2-1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (for additional chocolate flavor)
• 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (or 1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia)
• pinch of cinnamon (enhances the chocolate flavor)
• pinch of salt (enhances the dark chocolate flavor)
• splash of vanilla extract

Optional Yogurt Toppings:

• 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter powder
• 1/4 cup granola (like homemade oat granola or grain-free granola)
• 1/4 cup fresh fruit (or frozen berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 banana, sliced

What Kind of Yogurt? For best results, use plain greek yogurt: whole-milk greek yogurt, nonfat milk yogurt, or 2% fat yogurt. Greek yogurt is thick since the whey has been removed. It’s the perfect texture for this recipe.

Equipment Needed

• 1 medium or small bowl for mixing and eating the yogurt
• Storage jars (I love Weck Jars or Mason Jars) if you want to prep individual jars for a food prep breakfast or snack

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Combine Yogurt and Protein Powder

Spoon the yogurt into a bowl. Add 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder. If you’re going to add extra flavorings (cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla, etc.) do that now.

Use a spoon to combine the ingredients. Aggressively mix the ingredients with your spoon until all the powder is incorporated into the yogurt and the yogurt mixture appears fluffy and has a creamy texture (about 15-30 seconds).

Step 2: Add Toppings

The yogurt is ready to enjoy. Top the yogurt with your favorite toppings: banana slices, frozen or fresh berries, peanut butter, granola, shredded coconut, etc.

Need topping ideas? Check out 17 healthy yogurt bowl toppings.

Make-Ahead Meal Prep Storage Instructions

If you’d like to make multiple yogurt bowls for a make-ahead breakfast, snack, or lunch, spoon the yogurt mixture into individual airtight containers (I love Weck Jars or Mason Jars). Secure the lids. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Before enjoying, add your favorite toppings.

Chocolate Overnight Oats is another favorite make-ahead breakfast using protein powder.

Before You Get Started: Ingredients Needed

This soup is the perfect comfort food and it’s made with the simplest of ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. Healthy meals don’t need to be complicated.

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced
• 1 lb white potatoes diced (about 3 medium potatoes), no need to peel
• 8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced or diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock (or vegetable broth/stock)
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts, depending on size) or boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup frozen petite peas
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream or coconut milk from a can)

Equipment Needed

• 6 or 8 Quart Instant Pot for sautéing the veggies and cooking the top
• medium bowl for shredding the chicken after cooking
• 2 forks for shredding the chicken

How to Thicken This Creamy Chicken Soup

The best way to thicken sauces and soups made in the Instant Pot is to make a “cornstarch slurry” and add this slurry after the cooking time is complete. You can do this with either cornstarch or arrowroot starch (a grain-free option).

After the soup is done cooking..

• Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl (this makes a “cornstarch slurry”).
• Add the slurry to the soup.
• Turn on the saute mode and heat the soup for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store leftover soup in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4-5 days.
• This soup does NOT freeze well due to the dairy.
• Reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stove-top, in a saucepan, until warm. This soup is a fantastic option to pack in a thermos for school lunch (or work). Pair the soup with a sandwich, muffin, and/or favorite fruit. See 37 work and school lunch pairings here.

What to Serve With This Delicious Recipe

The only thing this soup is missing is a pie crust. Give this delicious chicken pot pie soup a true pot pie feel by serving it with homemade biscuits (the best comfort food). I’m particularly partial to fluffy einkorn biscuits. Or, make store-bought biscuits. While the soup cooks, bake the biscuits in the oven.

Here are a few more side dish ideas…

Instant Pot recipes are a staple in our home. Meals made in the Instant Pot are fast, easy, and flavorful. And the whole family loves these meals. <–That’s always a win!

Instant Pot soups are particularly popular with my family, from Instant Pot vegetable and beef soup to quick chicken noodle soup to chicken and rice soup and classic beef chili. Once you make soup this way, you’ll never go back to the stove top.

Ingredients Needed

This recipe is the ultimate example of how a handful of ingredients can be made into the most delicious soup.

• 3 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced
• 3-4 carrots peeled and diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 fresh broccoli crowns (roughly chopped, 1 pound) or 16 ounces frozen broccoli
• 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2 tablespoons organic cornstarch or arrowroot flour starch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Time-Saving Tip: Buy a 16-ounce bag (1lb) of pre-chopped fresh broccoli florets. Chopping the veggies is the most time-consuming part of this recipe. Alternatively, pre-chopped frozen broccoli may be used (no need to adjust the cook time).

Equipment Needed

• 6 or 8 Quart Instant Pot for sautéing the vegetables and cooking the soup
• small bowl for mixing the starch and water to thicken the soup after cooking

Step By Step Instructions & Video

Step 1: Melt Butter & Saute Veggies

Turn on the Instant Pot to Saute (press the saute button on the front of the pot).

Once hot, add the butter.

Once fully melted, add the onions and carrots. Cook until the veggies begin to soften, stirring every so often, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, and paprika. Press the cancel button to turn off the heat. 

Step 2: Add Broccoli & Broth

Add the chopped pieces of broccoli (fresh or frozen) and cover everything with chicken broth.

Step 3: Pressure Cook for 5 Minutes & Shred Cheese

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Position the steam valve on top of the lid so it’s set to Sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Manual, High Pressure for 5 minutes.

While the soup cooks, shred the cheese.

Cheese Tip: Shred your own cheese using a block of cheese and a grater. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking ingredients (to keep the shreds from clumping in the package). Pre-shredded cheese may result in a grainier, lumpier soup.

Step 4: Perform a Quick Pressure Release

After the cook time is complete, the Instant Pot will beep. Immediately perform a quick pressure release by moving the steam valve on top of the lid from Sealed to Venting. Steam will immediately begin to spew out of the valve (watch your hand). If the steam sputters, close the valve (moving it back to Sealed) and let it rest before opening again.

Step 5: Add Cream

Once the pressure has been fully released (steam is no longer spewing from the valve), remove the lid and stir in the cream.

Step 6: Add Cheese

Gradually stir in the cheddar cheese to melt. Don’t add the cheese all at once, instead, add handfuls at a time, whisking the soup after each addition.

Finally, add a pinch of nutmeg (optional), spoon into bowls for individual portions, and serve. Some folks also add a dash of hot sauce or extra shredded cheese before enjoying.

How to Easily Thicken This Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

• After adding the cheese and cream to the cooked soup, make a cornstarch slurry (or arrowroot starch slurry) by mixing together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl.
• Stir the mixture into the soup. It will take the soup a few minutes to thicken.
• If needed, use the saute mode (saute button) to bring the soup to a slight boil, whisk and cook the soup until it reaches your desired thickness.

What to Serve With Broccoli Soup

This easy recipe may be enjoyed on its own, or pair the soup with a favorite side dish. Or add homemade croutons on top, which soak into the cheesy broth and soften after a few minutes–perfection.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store leftover soup in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4-5 days.
• This soup does NOT freeze well due to the dairy.
• Reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stove-top, in a saucepan, until warm. This soup is a fantastic option to pack in a thermos for school lunch (or work). Pair the soup with a sandwich, muffin, and/or favorite fruit. See 37 work and school lunch pairings here.