Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup (Printable Version)

A creamy, hearty mix of broccoli and cheddar creates a rich, flavorful comforting dish.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb broccoli, cut into florets
02 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth
08 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
09 - ½ cup heavy cream

→ Pantry

10 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour
11 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp salt, or to taste
13 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
02 - Add grated carrot and broccoli florets to the pot. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetables, stirring thoroughly to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to remove raw flour flavor.
04 - Gradually whisk in the whole milk and vegetable broth. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until broccoli is tender.
05 - Partially blend the soup with an immersion blender for a chunky texture, or fully blend for a smooth consistency, according to preference.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and grated cheddar cheese until cheese is fully melted and the soup is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg.
07 - Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with additional cheese or black pepper if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can go from craving comfort to actually eating it without the wait.
  • The cheese doesn't overpower the broccoli; instead, they meet somewhere in the middle and make each other taste better.
  • One batch feeds four people generously, or just you, twice, with no judgment either way.
02 -
  • Don't skip the roux step, even though it seems small; it's what transforms the soup from watery to velvety and keeps the cheese from separating.
  • If your soup breaks or gets grainy after adding cheese, it usually means the heat was too high; just lower it and stir patiently, and often it comes back together.
  • Taste before serving and adjust salt last; broth saltiness varies wildly between brands.
03 -
  • If you're doubling the recipe for a crowd, increase the broth slightly because more vegetables release more liquid, and you want it to stay at the consistency you love.
  • Keep the heat at medium or medium-low after adding the cream and cheese; high heat can cause the dairy to separate and ruin the texture.
Go Back