Description
A deliciously creamy and cheesy broccoli soup, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 ½ to 2 cups shredded carrots (matchstick carrots recommended)
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 6 cups broccoli florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and shredded carrots, and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic and stir for 1 more minute, just until fragrant.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables. Whisk or stir well to coat everything, and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux. The mixture will thicken and turn golden as it cooks.
- Add Liquids & Seasoning: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, making sure to smooth out any lumps. Once combined, slowly pour in the half and half while whisking continuously. Lower the heat to medium-low, then stir in the salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and Dijon mustard. Let the soup simmer gently for 15 minutes, whisking occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Broccoli: While the soup simmers, cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces if you haven’t already. Stir the broccoli into the soup and continue to cook on low for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender to your liking, stirring occasionally.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Taste and adjust salt or seasonings as needed.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra cheese and homemade croutons or serve hot with crusty bread, crackers, or in a warm bread bowl.
Notes
- If you’d like a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup—or carefully blend a portion in a regular blender and return it to the pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 80mg