When the chill of winter sets in, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of broccoli cheddar soup to cozy up with.
This creamy and cheesy delight not only warms you from the inside out but also packs a punch of nutrition with fresh broccoli.
I love how this dish brings together simple ingredients to create something truly comforting.
Ingredients
For my cozy broccoli cheddar soup, I gather a few simple yet flavorful ingredients that come together beautifully. Here’s what I need to create this comforting dish.
Vegetables
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 cup potato, peeled and diced
Dairy
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
Get ready to whip up a delicious batch of broccoli cheddar soup with these simple steps. I’ll walk you through the prep and cooking process to make it easy and enjoyable.
Prep
- Chop the Vegetables: Start by chopping 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Dice 1 medium onion and mince 3 cloves of garlic. Peel and dice 2 medium carrots and 1 medium potato.
- Prepare the Dairy: Grate 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese and set it aside. Measure out 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of milk for later.
- Gather the Broth: In a measuring cup, pour 4 cups of vegetable broth and set it next to your workspace.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables: Stir in the chopped broccoli, diced carrots, and potato. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Start the Soup Base: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the vegetables are tender.
- Blend the Mixture: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup, leaving some vegetables intact.
- Incorporate Dairy and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and milk, letting it heat through for a couple of minutes. Gradually add the grated cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until melted and creamy.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, along with a pinch of nutmeg for depth of flavor. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes on low heat.
Directions
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious bowl of broccoli cheddar soup, perfect for any chilly day.
Step 1: Sauté Onions and Garlic
In a large pot over medium heat, I begin by adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, I toss in 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. I sauté them until the onion turns translucent and fragrant, typically about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add Broccoli and Stock
Next, I add 4 cups of chopped fresh broccoli florets and 1 medium diced potato to the pot. I pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth and stir everything together. I bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the broccoli and potato are tender.
Step 3: Blend the Soup
Once the vegetables are tender, I carefully use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If I prefer a chunkier texture, I blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as is. Alternatively, I can transfer the mixture to a blender in batches, ensuring to leave a small opening for steam to escape.
Step 4: Stir in Cheese
After blending, I return the pot to low heat and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. I mix until the cheese melts completely and the soup is creamy. I taste as I go, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper, giving it that perfect finishing touch.
Conclusion
I can’t wait for you to try this broccoli cheddar soup recipe. It’s the perfect dish to warm you up on chilly days while also giving you a boost of nutrition.
The blend of creamy cheese and fresh broccoli is simply irresistible.
Making it is a breeze with just a few simple ingredients and steps. Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch or dinner it’s bound to become a favorite in your home.
So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a bowl of comfort that’s both delicious and satisfying. Happy cooking!
PrintCreamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Vegetables
-
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
-
- 1 medium onion, diced
-
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
-
- 2 medium carrots, diced
-
- 1 cup potato, peeled and diced
Dairy
-
- 4 cups vegetable broth
-
- 1 cup heavy cream
-
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
-
- 1 cup milk
-
- 1 teaspoon salt
-
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
-
- ½ teaspoon paprika
-
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
-
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Chop the Vegetables: Start by chopping 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Dice 1 medium onion and mince 3 cloves of garlic. Peel and dice 2 medium carrots and 1 medium potato.
- Prepare the Dairy: Grate 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese and set it aside. Measure out 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of milk for later.
- Gather the Broth: In a measuring cup, pour 4 cups of vegetable broth and set it next to your workspace.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables: Stir in the chopped broccoli, diced carrots, and potato. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Start the Soup Base: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the vegetables are tender.
- Blend the Mixture: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup, leaving some vegetables intact.
- Incorporate Dairy and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and milk, letting it heat through for a couple of minutes. Gradually add the grated cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until melted and creamy.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, along with a pinch of nutmeg for depth of flavor. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes on low heat.