Creamy Cozy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
A comforting and easy homemade broccoli cheddar soup with a perfect balance of creaminess and cheesy flavor, ready in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 2 cups whole milk (or dairy-free milk like oat or almond for lactose-free version)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Chop about 4 cups of broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and soft, stirring occasionally.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the butter and onion mixture and whisk constantly for 2 minutes until light golden and thickened.
- Slowly pour in 3 cups chicken broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add 2 cups whole milk and keep whisking until smooth and beginning to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add chopped broccoli florets and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes until broccoli is tender but still has a bit of bite.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup partially or fully, or blend half in a blender and stir back in for texture.
- Turn off the heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve warm immediately.
Notes
Add cheese off the heat or on very low heat to prevent clumping or graininess. If soup is too thick, add a splash more milk or broth to loosen. Do not overcook broccoli to keep a fresh snap. For extra creaminess, add half-and-half or heavy cream. For a healthier twist, swap butter for olive oil and use reduced-fat cheese. Frozen broccoli can be used but thaw and drain excess water first.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 14
Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, broccoli soup, cheddar cheese soup