Description
Warm up with creamy, easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup made with fresh broccoli and sharp cheddar—perfect for cozy nights. This hearty soup combines tender broccoli florets, rich cheese, and a smooth, velvety base for a comforting and nourishing meal that’s quick to prepare and endlessly customizable.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (grated from block)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour/cornstarch for gluten-free version)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups milk or half-and-half
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes, then stir in garlic if using, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Create the Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the softened onions and butter, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and thicken the soup later on.
- Add Liquid and Broccoli: Gradually whisk in your chicken or vegetable broth, making sure there are no lumps. Bring to a simmer, then add fresh broccoli florets. Cook until broccoli is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Blend the Soup: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to puree the soup until smooth but still slightly chunky, or transfer in batches to a blender. This ensures a creamy texture without losing the broccoli’s defining bite.
- Stir in Cheese and Milk: Reduce the heat to low and mix in shredded sharp cheddar and milk or half-and-half. Stir gently until cheese is melted and the soup is rich and velvety. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve Warm: Once everything is blended and seasoned just right, ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy a cozy first spoonful!
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp broccoli to keep the soup fresh and avoid bitterness.
- Grate cheese yourself to ensure optimal melting and flavor.
- Don’t overblend; leave some small broccoli pieces for texture.
- Melt cheese slowly over low heat to prevent graininess or curdling.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding broth or milk to thin or simmering longer to thicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Broccoli cheddar soup, creamy soup, healthy soup, comfort food, easy soup
