Last updated on January 4th, 2024 at 12:56 am
When you first taste this instant cheese soup in a jar, you’ll find it hard to believe that it wasn’t made with fresh grated cheese and fresh cream.
by Jane Lake
This is my own original layered jar recipe for creamy instant cheese soup. My daughter tweaked it for over a month to get the right proportions between the cheese sauce mix, bacon bits and instant potato flakes.
We think the following recipe is attractive in the jar, tempting in the serving bowl, and delicious enough for company.
We also found that top quality ingredients cost a bit more but the improvement in taste and texture was worthwhile. There’s a link provided if you can’t find cheese powder locally but try the bulk food aisle at your grocery store as well.
Garnish this soup with grated cheddar or parmesan cheese and/or chopped chives and serve hot with fresh bread, crackers or croutons.
If you wish, you may use our free printable Cheese Soup Label (also shown below) to decorate your jar and provide preparation and serving instructions.
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Instant Cheese Soup – Ingredients:
- 2 cups instant coffee creamer (we used Carnation Lite)
- ½ cup imitation or real bacon bits
- ½ cup cheese sauce mix (Amazon)
- 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes (Amazon)
- 1 tbsp chicken boullion granules (Amazon)
- 1 tsp dried minced onion (Amazon)
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 cups (approximately) of instant potato flakes (we use Idahoan brand)
Another popular soup in a jar mix, especially for Christmas, is Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar.
Jar Mix Layers:
Layer ingredients in the order given in a one quart (four cup) glass jar. Use a spoon to pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient.
Pack instant potato flakes tightly, right to the top of the jar. Secure with a screw top lid.
Decorate the jar lid as desired. Print the label shown, or write your own label, then glue the label to the jar or tie it to the jar lid with pretty ribbon or raffia.
To Serve:
Empty Cheese Soup Mix into a soup tureen or serving bowl. Stir in 5 cups of boiling water. If soup is too thick, add another ½ cup of boiling water. Allow to stand for five minutes and stir well. Garnish with grated cheese.
Cheese Soup Variations:
Broccoli Cheese Soup – Add one cup of warm, cooked, finely chopped broccoli to the soup, right after adding the boiling water. Let stand for five minutes. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese.
Cauliflower Cheese Soup – Cook one cup of small cauliflower florets until tender. Stir cauliflower into soup, right after adding the boiling water. Garnish with grated cheese and chives. Let stand for five minutes.
Ham and Cheese Soup – Heat one cup of diced ham in the microwave until warm. After adding the boiling water to the soup, stir in ham and let stand for five minutes.
Carrot and Cheese Soup – Add one cup of warm, cooked, very finely chopped carrot to the soup, directly after adding boiling water. Let stand for five minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped chives.
Cheese Soup Mix
It’s known that instant coffee creamer not good for your health. Perhaps full cream powdered milk may be better? Regards Pat
That might be a good option. Skim powdered milk wouldn’t be as satisfying, but full cream powdered milk could be quite tasty. I’ll have to try it!
Great Jane, thanks for your articles. I had never even heard of Soup in a jar until I saw yours! Going to try them and give away a few as gifts. Haven’t heard any of my friends here in South Africa mention the concept either.mregards, Pat
That is really satisfying for me to hear. Soup in a Jar has been popular in North America for a few years now, for homemade gifts and fundraising at bazaars and things like that. I love the idea that you’re introducing this to your family and friends in South Africa. The internet is great for things like that, and sharing around the world. Thanks for letting me know!