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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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