Follow these steps and you’ll have a velvety, cheesy-feeling soup without dairy.
Layer the veggies. Put the chopped broccoli, grated carrots, diced onion, and minced garlic into the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker.
Add the creamy base. Top the vegetables with the vegan cream cheese, dried oregano, nutmeg, and vegetable broth. Stir gently to distribute the cream cheese slightly.
Cook low & slow. Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours, or on high for about 2 hours, until the broccoli feels tender when you poke it with a fork. (I usually aim for 4 hours on low.)
Add the oat milk and puree. Remove the lid and pour in the oat milk or cashew cream. Use an immersion blender to puree about ¾ of the soup, leaving some broccoli chunks for texture. If you use a countertop blender, puree in batches and hold the lid with a towel to vent.
Finish with the cheese. Return the soup to low heat if you move it. Stir in the grated vegan cheddar, salt, and pepper. Cook on high for about 5–10 minutes until the vegan cheese melts and the soup heats through. Stir occasionally to help the cheese integrate.
Taste and adjust. Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Serve warm.
Safety note: Be careful when blending hot liquids. Hold the lid and blend in small batches if using a countertop blender.