Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This cozy Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe is creamy, cheesy, and weeknight-easy. One pot, and done in 30 minutes!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 ¼ cups finely chopped onion about 1 large
- 2 tsp minced garlic about 2 cloves
- 4 cups broccoli florets bite-sized (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded carrot about 1 large
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half or evaporated milk
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg optional
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar block, grated
- ¼ cup sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic for 1 minute.
- Make the base: Sprinkle flour over onions and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in broth until smooth. Add broccoli, carrot, Dijon, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes, until broccoli is very tender.
- Finish creamy: Stir in milk and cream. Bring just to a simmer, then remove from heat. Slowly add cheddar by handfuls, stirring after each addition until melted and smooth. Stir in sour cream or yogurt.
- Blend (optional): For a smoother soup, blend half with an immersion blender, then return it to the pot. Or lightly mash vegetables to thicken.
- Taste and adjust: Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve with extra cheddar on top.
Video
Notes
Broccoli yield: One large crown (or two small) gives about 4 cups; peel and finely chop tender stems, discarding tough bits.
Cheese: Grate block cheddar for a creamy melt. Packaged shredded cheese often turns gritty.
Heat: Don’t boil after adding cheese to avoid graininess.
Nutrition
Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1960mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 5406IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 468mg | Iron: 1mg