Description
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with broccoli. This soup is comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 3 small or 2 large carrots (chopped small)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cups (60 ml) flour
- 1 cups (237 ml) half and half
- 4 cups (946 ml) low sodium chicken broth
- Pinch nutmeg
- Fresh black pepper
- 2 large broccoli heads (florets and stems chopped (About 4 cups total))
- 8 oz (227 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 oz (57 g) colby jack cheese, shredded
- Salt
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions and carrots and sauté until softened, 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
- Add the flour and stir to coat the vegetables. Cook until golden, another 2 minutes.
- Slowly stir in the half-and-half.
- Add the chicken broth, nutmeg, and black pepper and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the soup is slightly thickened.
- Stir in the broccoli and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the broccoli is softened.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender in batches to puree to the desired consistency.
- Return the soup to the pot (if needed) and stir in all but about 1/2 cup (or 2 ounces) of the cheddar cheese and all of the Colby Jack cheese. Stir until melted.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve with the remaining cheddar cheese for garnish and crusty bread.
Notes
- For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender directly in the pot after the broccoli is cooked, then stir in the cheeses.
- To make this soup vegan, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Experiment with a vegan cream cheese for creaminess.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 50