Description

A comforting and creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup made with fresh broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, and a rich blend of butter, garlic, and half and half. This hearty soup features a smooth texture achieved by blending half of the mixture, offering the perfect balance of chunky and creamy with a subtle hint of nutmeg.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

4 Tablespoons butter
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Liquids

2 cups chicken stock
2 cups half and half

Vegetables & Seasoning

4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Cheese

1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until onions become soft and translucent, enhancing the soup’s flavor base.
Add Carrots and Garlic: Stir in shredded carrots and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring the garlic does not brown to maintain its delicate taste.
Make Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and cook while stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes. This step thickens the soup and removes the raw flour taste.
Incorporate Liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and half and half until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, creating a creamy soup base.
Simmer Vegetables: Add the chopped broccoli florets along with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until the broccoli is tender but still bright green.
Blend for Texture: Carefully transfer about half of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot and stir well to combine. This step is optional but gives the soup a creamy texture while retaining some broccoli pieces.
Add Cheese and Serve: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Serve the soup immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

Blending half of the soup is optional but recommended for a creamy texture with some chunkiness.
Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting and flavor.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth.
This soup freezes well; cool completely before freezing and reheat gently on stovetop.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: broccoli cheese soup, creamy broccoli soup, cheddar soup, vegetable soup, comfort food, stovetop soup