Description
This creamy broccoli cheese soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly days. Made with fresh broccoli, garlic, onions, and sharp cheddar cheese, it’s pure indulgence in a bowl. The smooth, velvety texture and rich flavor will warm you up from the inside out. Garnished with crunchy croutons, it’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family!
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Croutons for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
Sauté the Vegetables:
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. -
Make the Roux:
Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. -
Add the Broth:
Slowly pour in the broth while stirring continuously. Increase the heat to a gentle boil. -
Cook the Broccoli:
Once the broth is boiling, toss in the broccoli florets. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. -
Blend the Soup:
Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. For a chunkier texture, you can blend just half of the soup. -
Add Cream and Cheese:
Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese. Mix until the cheese melts and the soup is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the soup hot, and garnish with croutons if desired.
Notes
- Frozen Broccoli: If you don’t have fresh broccoli, you can substitute with frozen broccoli. Just be sure to thaw it before adding it to the soup.
- No Heavy Cream? You can substitute the heavy cream with half and half, whole milk, or even equal parts milk and melted butter.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat.
- Add More Veggies: You can mix in other vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, or spinach along with the broccoli for more variety and extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Broccoli cheese soup, creamy soup, comfort food, broccoli, cheddar cheese, easy soup, homemade soup