Description
This creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. Made with fresh vegetables, sharp cheddar cheese, and a rich base of milk and chicken broth, this soup combines tender broccoli florets with a velvety, cheesy broth, delivering a flavorful and satisfying meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, grated
- 16 ounces frozen broccoli florets
Dairy & Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces extra sharp cheddar, grated
Dry Ingredients & Seasonings
- ¼ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, approximately 5 minutes. Then add the grated carrots and stir to combine.
- Cook Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning and to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the whole milk and chicken broth while stirring continuously to combine the mixture into a smooth base.
- Season and Cook Broccoli: Stir in the dry mustard, white pepper, and salt. Add the frozen broccoli florets and cook the soup over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
- Puree Soup: Using an immersion blender, puree some of the broccoli florets directly in the pot to create a slightly thickened, creamy texture while still leaving some florets chunky for texture. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer half of the soup to a blender, puree, and then return it to the pot.
- Melt Cheese: Add the shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring constantly to melt the cheese smoothly into the soup. Once fully combined, remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer half the soup to a countertop blender to puree, then combine it back into the pot to maintain some texture.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving; additional salt and pepper can enhance flavors if needed.
