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Bowl of Canadian Cheese Soup with cheddar and bacon, inspired by Epcot's Le Cellier.

Canadian Cheese Soup

A creamy and comforting soup made with fresh vegetables and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for cold weather days.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Canadian, Comfort Food
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons Butter For sautéing
  • 1 cup Onion, finely chopped For a classic base
  • 1 cup Celery, finely chopped For a classic base
  • 1 cup Carrot, finely chopped For a classic base
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced For warmth
Thickening and Broth
  • 1/3 cup All-purpose flour To thicken
  • 4 cups Chicken or vegetable broth Use low sodium if possible
Cream and Cheese
  • 2 cups Whole milk or half-and-half For creaminess
  • 2 cups Sharp white cheddar, freshly shredded The star of the show
Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce For depth
  • 1 teaspoon Dry mustard Optional, enhances flavor
  • to taste none Hot sauce Just a tiny splash to round out richness
  • to taste none Salt and pepper To taste
Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Chives or green onions, chopped For a fresh finish
  • 1/4 cup Bacon, crispy bits Optional topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Finely chop onion, celery, and carrot. Grate the cheddar cheese.
Cooking
  1. Melt butter in a medium soup pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 8-10 minutes until soft and slightly sweet.
  3. Add garlic for the last minute of cooking.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir for 1-2 minutes until it smells toasty.
  5. Slowly whisk in the broth while avoiding lumps and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the milk or half-and-half until warm, avoiding bubbles.
  7. Add Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and pepper, and adjust to taste.
  8. Remove from heat and gradually stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  9. If too thick, add a splash of milk or broth. If too thin, simmer for a few minutes more.
  10. If desired, stir in hot sauce before serving.
Serving
  1. Ladle soup into bowls and top with chives and crispy bacon bits if using.

Notes

For extra silkiness, blend the soup with an immersion blender before adding cheese. Maintain low heat when adding cheese to prevent separation.