Cozy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe That Warms Your Soul

Comfort meets creativity in this hearty broccoli cheddar soup that promises warmth in every spoonful.

Creamy textures blend with sharp cheese notes, creating a symphony of flavors.

Seasonal vegetables take center stage, dancing with rich dairy goodness.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers unexpected deliciousness.

Simple ingredients transform into a luxurious meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction, making you the kitchen hero.

Prepare to savor each comforting bite and experience soup magic at its finest.

What You’ll Need For Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

• Vegetable Broth: The liquid foundation that provides depth and flavor to the soup.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing and building initial flavor layers.

• Broccoli Florets: The star ingredient that gives the soup its signature green color and nutritious profile.
• Onion: Adds a sweet and aromatic base to the soup's flavor.
• Garlic: Provides a pungent and warming taste that complements the other ingredients.
• Carrots: Contributes natural sweetness and vibrant color to the soup.
• Potatoes: Helps create a thick and creamy texture.

• Heavy Cream: Brings richness and smoothness to the soup's consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers a sharp, tangy flavor and creamy melted texture.

• Dried Thyme, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile with warm and subtle seasoning.

• Bacon, Fresh Parsley: Provides additional texture and a decorative finishing touch to the soup.

Steps To Make Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Step 1: Kickstart Flavor Foundation

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté them until onions become soft and translucent, creating a delicious aromatic base for your soup.

Step 2: Build Vegetable Layers

Toss in diced carrots and potatoes. Stir and cook for several minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and develop deeper flavors.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Gold

Pour vegetable broth into the pot and add broccoli florets. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until vegetables become tender and easily pierced with a fork, around 15-20 minutes.

Step 4: Transform Texture

Grab an immersion blender and transform the soup’s consistency. Blend until you reach your preferred texture—some like it chunky, others smooth. No immersion blender? Carefully transfer to a standard blender, working in batches.

Step 5: Create Creamy Richness

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Dried thyme
• Paprika

Blend over low heat until cheese melts completely and soup becomes luxuriously smooth.

Step 6: Perfect the Seasoning

Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Want a thinner consistency? Splash in extra vegetable broth until you hit the perfect balance.

Step 7: Elevate and Serve

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Sprinkle with crispy bacon bits and fresh parsley for an extra flavor punch. Dive into pure comfort in every spoonful!

Tips For Broccoli Cheddar Soup That’s Extra Cozy

• Optimize Vegetable Cooking: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Enhance Cheese Melting: Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve smooth, creamy consistency.
• Control Soup Thickness: Adjust liquid content by adding more broth for thinner soup or simmering longer for thicker texture.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast garlic and onions slightly longer to develop richer, more complex background notes in the soup.
• Make It Dietary Friendly: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version and use plant-based cheese for vegan adaptation.

Ways To Change Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of cheddar cheese. Add cashew cream for extra richness and protein.
• Gluten-Free Green Goodness: Swap potatoes with cauliflower and use cornstarch as a thickening agent. Ensure all broth is gluten-free certified.
• Low-Carb Protein Boost: Substitute carrots and potatoes with cauliflower and zucchini. Add grilled chicken or tofu for additional protein content.
• Dairy-Free Comfort Bowl: Use almond milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives. Include roasted nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor without dairy.

Pairing Ideas For Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Savor Cheese Companions: Pair this creamy broccoli cheddar soup with sharp aged cheddar slices or gouda wedges for an intensified cheese experience that elevates the soup's rich flavors.
• Crunch with Crusty Bread: Select rustic sourdough or herbed focaccia bread to dip and soak up the soup's velvety texture, creating a delightful contrast between crispy edges and smooth soup.
• Wine Harmony Match: Choose a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the soup's creamy profile and cut through its richness with refreshing acidity.

How To Store Broccoli Cheddar Soup The Right Way

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors and maintain freshness.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing soup with cream for best texture.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Pour into a pot and reheat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of vegetable broth to restore original consistency if needed.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

FAQs About Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

• What makes this broccoli cheddar soup different from others?

This recipe offers a perfect balance of vegetables and creamy cheese, with a quick and easy cooking method that brings out rich, deep flavors without complicated techniques.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the bacon topping and ensure you’re using vegetable broth. The cheese and vegetables provide plenty of delicious flavor without meat.

• Is this soup healthy?

While creamy, the soup includes nutritious vegetables like broccoli and carrots. The recipe includes wholesome ingredients and can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.

• Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, you can freeze the soup without the cream. Add the cream after thawing and reheating for the best texture and flavor preservation.

Why Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Is So Comforting

• Satisfy Hunger Quickly: Zero-fuss recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy soup in minimal steps, perfect for busy home cooks craving something delicious.
• Master Comfort Food Easily: Minimal cooking skills required, with straightforward techniques anyone can follow, creating a hearty meal that feels like a culinary achievement without complex methods.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible recipe allowing easy ingredient swaps and personalization – from adding protein to switching cheese types, making it adaptable for different dietary preferences and taste buds.
• Nourish with Every Spoonful: Packed with nutritious vegetables and protein-rich cheese, delivering a balanced meal that feels indulgent while supporting healthy eating goals and satisfying hunger effectively.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Broccoli Cheddar Soup blends creamy Wisconsin cheddar with fresh broccoli florets for a comforting meal. Warm cheese notes and rich vegetable flavors invite you to savor each spoonful of this classic winter comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup carrots, diced

Supporting Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot and heat olive oil over medium temperature, creating a fragrant base by sautéing finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-5 minutes.
2. Introduce diced carrots and potatoes to the pot, stirring thoroughly to integrate flavors and allow vegetables to soften slightly, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Pour vegetable broth into the pot, then add broccoli florets. Elevate heat to bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to low simmer. Cover and let vegetables cook until completely tender, approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
4. Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender directly in the pot, creating a smooth consistency with occasional vegetable chunks. Alternatively, carefully transfer soup to a standard blender, processing in batches until desired smoothness is achieved.
5. Return blended soup to pot, incorporating heavy cream with gentle stirring. Gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, dried thyme, and paprika, maintaining low heat until cheese melts completely and soup reaches a luxurious, creamy consistency.
6. Evaluate the soup’s seasoning, adjusting with salt and pepper to taste. Modulate thickness by introducing additional vegetable broth if the soup appears too dense.
7. Ladle the piping hot soup into serving bowls, garnishing with optional crumbled bacon and fresh parsley for an enhanced flavor profile and visual appeal.

Notes

• Boost vegetable nutrition by keeping broccoli slightly crisp during blending to retain more vitamins and minerals.
• Select sharp cheddar cheese for deeper, more intense flavor profile that elevates the entire soup’s taste complexity.
• Create dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk and using nutritional yeast instead of cheese for similar creamy texture.
• Enhance soup’s protein content by adding cooked chicken or white beans during final simmering stage for more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 70mg