Enjoy a comforting bowl of creamy broccoli cheddar soup, packed with wholesome ingredients like fresh broccoli and rich cheddar cheese for a satisfying meal.
This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in and offers a delicious way to enjoy your vegetables. It’s a hearty dish that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend lunch. Each serving provides about 18 grams of protein.
This recipe focuses on simple, accessible ingredients and straightforward steps, ensuring a delicious outcome even for beginner cooks. We’ll walk you through how to achieve that perfect creamy texture and rich flavor that makes broccoli cheddar soup a family favorite.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Enjoy a comforting bowl of creamy broccoli cheddar soup, packed with wholesome ingredients like fresh broccoli and rich cheddar cheese for a satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in and offers a delicious way to enjoy your vegetables. It’s a hearty dish that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend lunch. Each serving provides about 18 grams of protein.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Saute Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. The onions should look soft and slightly shiny.
2. 2. Add Broth and Broccoli: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the chopped fresh broccoli florets. Cover the pot and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender when pierced with a fork. It should be bright green and easily mashable.
3. 3. Create Creamy Base: While the broccoli cooks, combine the half-and-half (or whole milk) and cottage cheese in a blender. Blend until completely smooth and no lumps of cottage cheese remain. This step is crucial for achieving a silky, uniform texture in your soup.
4. 4. Combine and Season: Once the broccoli is tender, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the blended half-and-half and cottage cheese mixture, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
5. 5. Melt the Cheese: Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot, stirring constantly until it is fully melted and incorporated into the soup. Do this off the heat or over very low heat to prevent the cheese from clumping or separating. The soup should become thick and smooth.
6. 6. Adjust and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if needed. If you prefer a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to blend some or all of the broccoli directly in the pot. Serve hot and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Protein: 18
Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, creamy soup, cheddar, broccoli, comfort food, easy soup, quick meal, vegetarian option, family friendly, weeknight dinner
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy broccoli cheddar soup is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for anyone looking for a comforting and nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s an excellent choice for families, as even picky eaters often enjoy the mild, cheesy flavor and tender broccoli. You can serve it as a light lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even as a starter for a larger meal. It’s particularly wonderful on a chilly evening, providing warmth and a feeling of coziness. The recipe is designed to be beginner-friendly, requiring basic cooking skills and common kitchen tools, making it accessible for anyone to whip up a delicious pot of soup.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking makes the process smooth and enjoyable. This recipe uses readily available items you can find at any grocery store. The combination of fresh broccoli and rich cheddar cheese creates a classic flavor profile that’s both familiar and deeply satisfying.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For the broth, you can use either chicken or vegetable broth depending on your dietary preferences; both work well to create a flavorful base. If you don’t have half-and-half, whole milk can be used for a slightly lighter but still creamy texture. The cottage cheese is a secret ingredient for added creaminess and protein without making the soup too heavy. When choosing cheddar cheese, a sharp or extra-sharp variety will give the best flavor, but mild cheddar also works if that’s what you prefer. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own from a block often melts more smoothly.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for busy weeknights. From the moment you start chopping to the first spoonful, you can expect to have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
This quick turnaround means you can enjoy a homemade, comforting meal even on your busiest days without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this creamy broccoli cheddar soup is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect bowl every time, paying attention to the visual cues to ensure each stage is completed correctly.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. The onions should look soft and slightly shiny.
- Add Broth and Broccoli: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the chopped fresh broccoli florets. Cover the pot and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender when pierced with a fork. It should be bright green and easily mashable.
- Create Creamy Base: While the broccoli cooks, combine the half-and-half (or whole milk) and cottage cheese in a blender. Blend until completely smooth and no lumps of cottage cheese remain. This step is crucial for achieving a silky, uniform texture in your soup.
- Combine and Season: Once the broccoli is tender, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the blended half-and-half and cottage cheese mixture, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot, stirring constantly until it is fully melted and incorporated into the soup. Do this off the heat or over very low heat to prevent the cheese from clumping or separating. The soup should become thick and smooth.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if needed. If you prefer a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to blend some or all of the broccoli directly in the pot. Serve hot and enjoy!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy broccoli cheddar soup is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked, shredded chicken or ham during the last few minutes of cooking. If you want to boost the vegetable content, a handful of shredded carrots can be added along with the broccoli for extra color and nutrients.
For serving, a sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream makes a lovely garnish. Crusty bread or warm dinner rolls are perfect for dipping and soaking up every last bit of soup. For a fun, kid-friendly option, serve the soup in bread bowls or with cheese crackers on the side. A simple green salad makes a fresh accompaniment, balancing the richness of the soup.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.
- Overcooking the Broccoli: If broccoli is cooked for too long, it can become mushy and lose its vibrant color. Cook just until tender-crisp, about 8-10 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Clumpy Cheese: Adding cheese to boiling soup or adding it all at once can cause it to clump or become stringy. Always add shredded cheese gradually, stirring constantly, off the heat or over very low heat, allowing it to melt smoothly.
- Grainy Texture from Cottage Cheese: Not blending the cottage cheese sufficiently will result in a grainy texture. Ensure it’s completely smooth before adding it to the soup base. A regular blender or food processor works best for this.
- Too Thin or Too Thick Soup: If your soup is too thin, you can simmer it gently for a few extra minutes to reduce it slightly, or make a quick slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it into the simmering soup until thickened. If it’s too thick, simply add a splash more broth or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy broccoli cheddar soup is fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers. Proper storage ensures it remains delicious.
To store, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to thin it out, as it can thicken in the refrigerator. Avoid boiling the soup vigorously, as this can cause the dairy to separate. While you can freeze this soup, dairy-based soups can sometimes separate upon thawing and reheating, affecting the texture. If you plan to freeze, blend the soup until very smooth before freezing, and stir well when reheating. Freeze in individual portions for easier thawing.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions about making creamy broccoli cheddar soup, along with helpful answers.
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh? Yes, you can. Add frozen broccoli directly to the simmering broth. It might cook a little faster than fresh, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
What if I don’t have Dijon mustard? Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang that enhances the cheese flavor without making the soup taste like mustard. If you don’t have it, you can omit it, but the flavor might be slightly less complex.
Can I make this soup vegetarian? Absolutely! Simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and the recipe is fully vegetarian.
How can I make this soup thicker? The soup naturally thickens as the cheese melts and cools. If you prefer it even thicker, you can blend a portion of the soup (including some broccoli) using an immersion blender, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water) and simmer for a few minutes.
Can I use a different type of cheese? While sharp cheddar is classic, you can experiment with other good melting cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even a blend. Just ensure they melt smoothly.
**Is it
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
