🧀 Aunt Betty’s Homestyle Canadian Cheese Soup
Creamy • Cozy • Old-Fashioned Comfort in a Bowl
🌟 Introduction
Aunt Betty’s Homestyle Canadian Cheese Soup is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. Rich, creamy, and packed with hearty vegetables and sharp cheddar, this soup comes straight from old Canadian kitchens where simple ingredients were turned into unforgettable comfort food.
It’s smooth yet chunky, savory with a gentle sweetness from carrots and onions, and finished with bold cheese flavor that makes every spoonful satisfying.
Perfect for chilly evenings, family dinners, or whenever you crave something cozy and homemade.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Base & Vegetables
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled & cubed
Soup Body
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer soup)
Cheese & Seasoning
- 2½ cups sharp Canadian cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard (optional but traditional)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup cooked bacon bits
- ¼ cup chopped parsley or chives
- Croutons or crusty bread for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables
In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. - Make the roux
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Stir constantly for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. - Build the soup
Slowly whisk in broth. Add potatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 12–15 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender. - Add dairy
Pour in milk and reduce heat to low. - Melt in the cheese
Add shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth. - Season
Stir in dry mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. - Finish & serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish if desired and serve hot with bread.
🔥 Cooking Methods
🥄 Classic Stovetop (Traditional)
Follow the instructions above — this is how Aunt Betty always made it.
🐢 Slow Cooker Method
- Sauté veggies first, then transfer to slow cooker.
- Add broth and potatoes. Cook LOW 6 hours.
- Stir in milk and cheese during the last 30 minutes.
🌀 Creamier Texture Option
Blend half the soup with an immersion blender, then mix back in for a silky yet chunky finish.
📜 A Little History
Cheese soup has deep roots in Canadian farmhouse cooking, especially in Ontario and Quebec where dairy farming thrived. Families used sharp cheddar, root vegetables, and milk straight from the farm to create filling soups during long winters.
“Aunt Betty’s” style represents that tradition — practical, hearty, and made with love. These soups were often served with homemade bread and shared around large kitchen tables.
🧬 Formation of Flavor
What makes this soup special:
- Roux base → gives thickness and body
- Sharp cheddar → bold, authentic Canadian taste
- Slow-simmered vegetables → natural sweetness
- Milk + broth combo → creamy but not heavy
It’s simple chemistry — fat + flour + liquid + cheese = magic.
❤️ Soup Lovers’ Tips
- Always shred cheese fresh (pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly)
- Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent graininess
- Add cooked ham or bacon for a smoky twist
- Serve with sourdough, biscuits, or garlic toast
- Leftovers taste even better the next day!
🥰 Why People Fall in Love With This Soup
✔ Comforting and nostalgic
✔ Budget-friendly pantry ingredients
✔ Great for meal prep
✔ Kid-approved
✔ Customizable with meats or veggies
✔ Perfect for cold weather or cozy nights
Conclusion
Aunt Betty’s Homestyle Canadian Cheese Soup is more than just a recipe — it’s tradition in a bowl. Creamy, hearty, and deeply comforting, it brings together simple ingredients to create something truly special.
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this soup delivers warmth, flavor, and old-fashioned love in every spoonful.
If you’d like, next time I can also share:
🧀 Bread bowl version
🥓 Bacon cheddar variation
🥔 Extra-potato farmhouse style
🥦 Veggie-loaded version
Just tell me — happy cooking!