Broccoli Cheddar Soup
If you want delicious, straight-from-the-restaurant taste, then this is your soup. Creamy, cheesy broccoli cheddar soup, dip in some homemade bread. Ugh! Delicious!
Why You’ll Love It:
Cozy café flavor at home
Easy weeknight dinner
Freezer-friendly
Kid-approved comfort food
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
YEILDS: 4 SERVINGS PREP: 15 MINUTES
COOK: 30 MINUTES TOTAL: 45 MINUTES
Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor
Ingredients:
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer soup)
2 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped (optional but traditional)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Sauté aromatics:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.Make the roux:
Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until golden and thickened (this is the base that makes the soup creamy).Add liquids:
Slowly whisk in the broth, followed by the milk. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.Simmer vegetables:
Stir in the broccoli, carrots, and celery. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until vegetables are tender.Blend (optional):
For a smooth texture like Panera’s, use an immersion blender to blend part or all of the soup. (You can also blend 1–2 cups in a blender and return it to the pot.)Add cheese & season:
Stir in cheddar cheese a handful at a time until melted and smooth. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.Serve:
Serve hot with crusty bread or in a bread bowl!
Notes:
Make it lighter: Swap in 2% milk or use half milk, half broth.
Dairy-free version: Use unsweetened oat milk and vegan cheddar shreds.
Extra cozy touch: Serve in homemade bread bowls (link your bread bowl recipe here!).
Storage: Keeps in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat gently over low heat.
Nutritional Information | Serves 4
Calories: 425 kcal
Fat: 31g
Cholesterol: 90mg
Sodium: 780mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 17g