Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This warm, comforting bowl of soup shines with flavors broccoli, carrots, and of course, cheddar.
Just a few ingredients
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This recipe is quite simple to prepare. Prep includes dicing the white onion and chopping up the broccoli. Pre-portion out the remaining ingredients (mise en place) to make the cooking process super smooth.
First you’ll sauté the diced white onion to soften it and bring out its delicious, sweet flavor. Then you’ll want to create a roux: a combination of fat and flour. Whisking in the half and half will create a thick and creamy texture, and then you’ll add chicken or vegetable broth to create a thick, flavorful soup base.
The soup simmers with broccoli and shredded carrot added, and at the end of the process the cheese is added. I prefer deli style American cheese. You can get this sliced at the deli counter at your local grocery store, or Kraft makes a “deli deluxe” version, which is very close. Do not use Kraft Singles, as this is not true American cheese and will not melt properly.
Serving Broccoli Cheddar Soup
To serve, portion out the soup into bowls (this recipe makes 4 servings) and top with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. This step is optional, but I think it makes this soup pretty and extra special. This recipe is pictured with a parsley garnish too, which is also totally optional and not included in the ingredients list.
Great pairings with broccoli cheddar soup include crackers, toast, and even a bread bowl, if you’re wanting that classic café experience.
until next time. x
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Broccoli Cheddar Soup
A warm, comforting bowl of broccoli cheddar soup – perfect for cold nights!
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium white onion, diced
- 1/4 cup All Purpose flour
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 lb fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 lb american cheese, sliced from the deli
- sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the flour to the pot and stir to combine, making a roux.
- Stirring constantly, pour in the half and half 1/4 cup at a time, making sure it is fully incorporated.
- Add the chicken broth, broccoli and carrot and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Tear the sliced american cheese into smaller pieces and add to the soup, stirring to melt the cheese.
- Serve warm and topped with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
I never think to make Broccoli and Cheddar soup, although I really like it! Love that it uses few and simple ingredients, which is right up my alley. Will put this on my list to try soon and think the family will very much enjoy it. Thanks!
This soup has gotten me through many rainy days, as I usually have the ingredients on hand. I hope you and your family enjoy it!
Aww. I love the idea of this cookbook. Now I want to get married all over again to do this for my wedding. Ha. I’ve had broccoli cheddar soup once before and it was ok. I’ll def try this one for myself and see if I like it better. And such a sweet story.
This looks like a great soup to make when we have company over! Such a great cookbook idea too.
Great that you have cookbook idea! My husband is suggesting to me to the same thing;) love broccoli soup, which perfect for this season!
Thank you so much!
What a lovely story! And this was a great meal to share as your first one. This is probably one of my favorite soups but I never thought of putting carrots in it. I’m going to try that next time. Thanks for sharing that sweet story 🙂
Carrots – it’s one of those simple ingredients I might balk at, at first (after all, it isn’t Broccoli Cheddar CARROT Soup), but once you try it there’s no going back! It adds just that little something extra that makes this soup fantastic. Thank you!
This has got to be one of my favorite soups of all time! I just love how simple it is to prepare and make for the family. Never thought of using American Cheese, but I bet it’s a melting bliss! Just made this last week and we’re counting down the days until we make it next, yum!
American Cheese for the meltiness and Cheddar for the flavor. It’s a match made in heaven and you don’t have to worry about the soup turning out all grainy from hard cheeses. Thank you for the nice comment!