Description
Creamy and comforting Broccoli Cheddar Soup delivers a protein-packed punch of flavor, blending classic comfort with nutritional power. Hearty spoonfuls will warm your soul and nourish your body with this delightful meal that brings together wholesome ingredients and rich, cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups chopped broccoli
- 4 ounces (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 1 cup blended low-fat cottage cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium temperature. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery for 10 minutes until vegetables soften and release aromatic flavors. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Dust vegetables with flour and smoked paprika, stirring to create an even coating. Toast ingredients for 60 seconds to eliminate raw flour’s metallic taste.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, incorporating all ingredients. Introduce chopped broccoli and allow mixture to simmer. Cook for 8-9 minutes until broccoli becomes tender while maintaining vibrant green color.
- Lower heat to minimum. Gently incorporate milk, blended cottage cheese, and shredded cheddar. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely, creating a uniform consistency. Avoid boiling to prevent milk separation.
- Create enhanced creaminess by extracting one cup of soup and blending until smooth. Alternatively, use immersion blender to pulse directly in pot. Reintegrate blended portion, maintaining vegetable texture.
- Evaluate seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish with additional cheddar if desired. Serve immediately while soup remains warm and velvety.
Notes
- Maximize protein by using Greek yogurt or additional cottage cheese as a creamy substitute for some milk.
- Roast broccoli beforehand to enhance its nutty flavor and add deeper complexity to the soup’s taste profile.
- Swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan version that maintains rich, cheesy undertones.
- Keep broccoli crisp by blanching quickly in salted water before adding to soup, preserving bright green color and nutritional integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 189
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg